Bethel Lutheran Church, Rowland, PA

Bethel Lutheran Church is located in the hamlet of Rowland, in the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. The church sits on a hill along the former towpath of the D&H Canal, overlooking the Lackawaxen River.

The original part of the structure was erected in 1859, by a Methodist/Episcopal congregation. At the turn of the 20th century, a group of Norwegian-Americans moved to the area and formed a Lutheran congregation which they named Bethel - House of God. After the Methodist/Episcopal congregation disbanded, the Lutherans took title to the church and it has remained their house of worship since.

As a result of several mergers, Bethel has been affiliated with various Lutheran church bodies over the years. Originally the congregation was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC). Bethel became part of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) as a result of the merger of several Lutheran church bodies in 1959. When the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was formed in 1987, Bethel became part of that body. Discontent with the direction of the ELCA, the members of Bethel voted to withdraw and affiliate with The American of Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) in 1989. The congregation remains an active member of the AALC.

Bethel is known affectionately by both its members and the community as the "little white church on the hill." You will find a warm welcome awaiting you at Bethel. Come visit us. If you are new to our community, we invite you to become part of our congregation.