Bethel Christian Academy, 14457 S Highway 259, Leitchfield, KY 42754, US

History of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was established to meet the needs of people moving into Bowling Green with Lutheran backgrounds. Fifteen of the 25 charter members represented families that were transferred here from Merrill, WI. On May 21, 1961 ( Pentecost ) was Charter Member Sunday. There were 25 communicants and 11 children. On June 13, 1961 this church was received as a member congregation of Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. On February 25, 1962 Pastor Rudolph C. Brandt was installed as the first resident pastor. The cornerstone laying ceremony was held in May of 1964, and on June 28, 1964 the $69, 600.00 church was dedicated and an Allen organ installed. From 1965 to 1970 the congregation doubled in size. In 1977 Pastor Brandt celebrated his 30th Anniversary in the ministry, and our congregation became self-sustaining and was no longer a mission congregation. On May 20, 1984 the new Education/Fellowship Hall, enlarged Narthex, remodeled Chancel, and Library were dedicated. Holy Trinity opened a Kindergarten in 1967 and served several age levels from Preschool to Kindergarten in the following years. In 1992 Holy Trinity Lutheran School expanded to the 1st & 2nd Grades and, afterward, added a grade a year with the 6th Grade opening in 1996. Pastor Brandt retired on September 1, 1985 after leading the congregation through 23 1/2 years of growth in every respect. On May 1, 1986 the Rev. Paul J. Short from Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX accepted our call to be the new pastor of Holy Trinity. Pastor Short was installed on June 29, 1986. Four years later Pastor Short accepted a call and left Holy Trinity in April of 1991. In June of 1990 Miss Katherine A. Taglauer came to Holy Trinity as a Director of Christian Education Intern. After fulfilling her year-long requirement, she was installed on August 18, 1991 as Holy Trinity's Director of Christian Education. Katherine ( now Tooley ) retired from full-time ministry in July of 1999 but continues to serve the church in music and other ministries. Our current pastor, The Rev. James A. Bettermann, was installed on September 22, 1991. He was previously the pastor at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. Having once again outgrown our facilities, a new Education/Fellowship Hall, remodeled Sanctuary, and remodeled Office Area were dedicated on October 30, 1994, and a cornerstone was laid in the new building. Mrs. Rebecca H. Duport, was installed as our Director of Christian Education on August 22, 1999 but left to serve a church in Ft. Smith, AR in 2001. After Mr. Jason Palisch served as our Director of Christian Education in 2002, Mr. Bill Hiskey was installed as our Director of Christian Education in January 2003. Bill is currently serving our congregation faithfully. Following graduation from Concordia Theological Seminary, The Rev. Robert F. Weldon Sr. accepted our call to be the first assistant pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. He was installed on August 8, 2004. The leadership and congregation of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and the administration, staff, and parents of our Lutheran School are prayerfully considering a building project that would expand and improve the facilities available for all Holy Trinity Lutheran Ministries