Bethany Chapel, Wheaton, IL
From BrethrenPedia
Bethany Chapel is an open brethren assembly with strong ties to Wheaton College in the Chicago metro. Prior to the start of this meeting, Wheaton students traveled distances to other assemblies in the area. The assembly started in 1936 in the home of College Econ. professor Mortimer Bliss Lane, first at 512 N. Scott St., followed by 811 N. Main St. Then the Bethany House was purchased at the corner of President & College Aves., by 1947, until the primary building at 404 N. President St. was constructed in the 1950's, the photo of which graced the cover of the Waltericks assembly address book for many years.
In 1948, the Bethany Quartette was formed, which sang in neighboring assemblies. In 1950, Bethany in conjunction with assemblies in Lombard and Elgin, a conference was held at the College on April 15-16, with Neil Fraser, Harold Harper and George Landis as the primary speakers.
Center 1946
LOI 1946-2: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Harper To Take Up New Work In Wheaton, Ill.
The work in the Victory Center, Stelton, NJ, now coming to a close, Mr. and Mrs. Harper have been deeply exercised about the great need in Wheaton, Illinois. Their plan is, D.V., to have a Center in Wheaton run after the idea of the one now in Stelton, NJ, only for the benefit of the Wheaton College students, especially those from our assemblies throughout the country attending the college. The plan, D.V., also includes the building of a Gospel Chapel in Wheaton as soon as possible so as to open up a larger field of service for students who desire to serve the Lord either in full or part time service for the Lord.
Bro. Lane saw the need for an assembly in Wheaton back in 1936 and opened up his home where the Lord's Supper has been held since that time. Many of the students meet at Bro. Lane's home at 811 North Main St., Wheaton, IL, and some meet with the assembly in Lombard, IL, which is six miles from Wheaton. The purchase of a suitable home for Mr. and Mrs. Harper is now being negotiated. This piece of property is close in to the college and will make a very convenient spot for a Students' Center. The prayers of the Lord's people are earnestly requested for this new work as it is a large undertaking."
Invitation 1949
Light & Liberty (L&L) 1949-8: Wheaton, IL: "Believers gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ at Bethany Chapel, 430 N. President, wish to extend a cordial invitation to students coming to Wheaton College from assemblies throughout America and other lands. Assembly correspondents, parents and students are requested to notify the undersigned of the names of the students in order that a personal welcome might be extended to each one. The schedule of regular meetings includes: Sunday 9:30 a.m. Breaking of Bread, 11 a.m. Family Bible Hour, 6:15 p.m. Young People, 7:15 p.m. Gospel; Thursday 8:00 p.m. Prayer and Ministry, Friday 7:30 p.m. Children's Meeting."
Revival 1950
Letters of Interest (LOI) 1950-4:
Wheaton Revival Real "Several members of the faculty and staff of Wheaton College and about 40 students from various assemblies in this and other lands are affiliated with Bethany Chapel of Wheaton, Illinois. About two weeks after the "revival" which swept the campus in early February at the time of the mid-year evangelistic services, resulting in international publicity by press, radio and television, a number of students told at Bethany Chapel what it had meant to them. All spoke of being humbled and brought to confess pride and other shortcomings and transgressions and having renewed in them a desire to please and serve the Lord.
More than a month later two members of the faculty and a staff member were asked to appraise the results of this unusual incident. Mortimer B. Lane, who has been teaching at Wheaton for many years, in whose house the Wheaton assembly met for many years, said: 'It is just as if someone had taken a broom and swept away all the cobwebs. We had a similar experience in '43, but it was not so deep. Yet the effect was seen through the semester. The faculty has been affected as well as the students. A group of business majors are now holding a prayer meeting, which is unusual in itself. There I saw a student who was saved during the revival, smiling and praying. Many of us felt that a drastic change was necessary, and it certainly came.'
'There seems to be a greater general spirit of Christian fellowship and friendliness,' said Frank Bellinger, a younger faculty member. 'Prayer meetings, Friday night singspirations and gospel team work appear to be better attended. Some students have been concerned about practical Christian living. For example, a group of fellows voluntarily asked one of the faculty members for special instruction to talk over their individual problems. Several teachers have noticed significant increase in the average marks in tests given so far. These small things are undoubtedly an indication of genuinely humbled hearts.'
Harold G. Faulkner, finance officer for the college, a correspondent of the assembly and a keen observer, said: 'Definitely a real work has been done. There is a marked difference in a lot of people. A number of students were saved. Among our own young people there has been a definite change. There is an improvement in the atmosphere among staff, faculty and students.'
Former students visiting on the campus also remark on the happy, wholesome, serious attitude of the students. A young couple, soon to graduate and be married, asked last month for an interview with the older brethren at Bethany Chapel concerning their call to the mission field. They had been thinking of going out under a board, but as result of the campus revival and ministry on fellowship in the assembly the young man had determined that their service must be according to Scriptural principles.
The effects of this revival have been felt in Bethany Chapel. We could most profitably pray that there might be a like movement of the Holy Spirit among assemblies throughout America."
Locations
- home of Mortimer Bliss Lane 1936-1946+
- 512 N. Scott St. +1943-1944+
- 811 N. Main St. +1945-1946+
- Bethany House, 430 N. President St. (cor. President & College Aves.) +1947-1950+
- Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Harrison Ave. 1951+
- 404 N. President St. 1950's-2022
- David Fasold's father was the architect and builder
- home meeting - 2022-current
Also See
Sources
- Letters of Interest (LOI): 1946-2; 1950-4
- Light & Liberty (L&L): 1944-11; 1945-9; 1949-8
