Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg was officially organized in June, 1939, but traces its roots to a Lutheran mission which was started in 1880. Services were regularly held starting in 1928, first in the old Woodmen Hall and later in the hall above Vernaz Drug Store on Pine Street.

After years of worshiping in rented halls the members of Bethlehem dedicated their first church building on South Street in 1941. Sixteen years later the present colonial style edifice, complete with white pillars and a tall steeple, was dedicated on North Maguire Street.

Since its early years the congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran has reached out to the students of the University of Central Missouri. In 1946 Gamma Delta was established as the first official Lutheran student organization at the College. The basement of the Bethlehem's first church building provided meeting facilities for that group and Bethlehem's pastor served as pastoral advisor for the group. When Bethlehem moved to its present home (1957) the Missouri District of L.C.M.S. purchased the building to serve as a Lutheran Campus Center. The facility continued to serve in that capacity and Pastor Adolph Meyer continued as pastoral advisor until 1967 when the Missouri District appointed a Warrensburg Area Board for Campus Ministry. At that time Rev. Wallace Misterek was called to serve as full-time Lutheran Campus Pastor.

Under the guidance of the Area Board, Pastor Misterek provided regular worship services and coordinated student activities at this first Lutheran Campus Center and later at the present Lutheran Campus Center on S. Holden St. when it opened in 1971. Members of Bethlehem and its Pastor continued to serve on the Area Board, working cooperatively with the Campus Pastor, until 1996. Regular worship services at the campus center were discontinued after the Missouri District could no longer continue to fund a Campus Pastor at L.C.C. A range of student activities continue each week under the guidance of the Director of Lutheran Campus Ministry and the Area Board at the Lutheran Campus Center. In 2010 the Missouri District released ownership and responsibility for the Lutheran Campus Center to the Area Board. The original facility still serves the religious needs of students at U.C.M. as the Baptist Student Union.

The campus center is located one block north of the campus at 215 South Holden Street. University students worship at Bethlehem each Sunday and participate in Bethlehem's activities. University students worship at Bethlehem each Sunday and participate in Bethlehem's activities. Bethlehem also regularly serves officers and enlisted personnel stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base many of whom have become active members of the congregation.

In 1983 the congregation took a leading role in beginning a mission congregation in Knob Noster. Faith Lutheran Church, our daughter congregation, holds regular Sunday services at 9:00 a.m. During the earlier years Pastor Roger Beese often preached at both churches on Sunday mornings.

In 2006 Bethlehem received a new addition which provided additional classroom and office space, new kitchen facilities, new heating and cooling system, an elevator, and new entry way. During the construction period, which included new windows and much-needed repairs in the Sanctuary, worship services were conducted at the Lutheran Campus Center.

Bethlehem's First Permanent Church
South Street, Warrensburg, MO

Photo courtesy Dr. Richard Luehrman