Bethany Evangelical Free Church has had its roots on Madison’s near east side since it started as a Norwegian-speaking church in 1906 (when the church’s name was “Betania”). Now it has become home to four small communities of Christ-followers—many of whom are first-generation immigrants speaking four different languages.
Bethany has been quietly shaping the church landscape in the Madison community for over a century. Its influence has been significant and far-reaching. In the 1960s, Bethany planted two churches—one on the west side of Madison and one on the east side. Those churches are alive and well today. The west side church is Blackhawk Church and the east side church is Door Creek Church.