The congregation of Bethesda Church at 3245 E. Washington Avenue has changed its name to reflect its location, in the Carpenter Ridgeway Neighborhood.
The non-denominational charismatic church has been a fixture on Madison’s east side for more than 65 years and at one point considered a move to the suburbs.
In a video posted online this week, pastor Bryan Peterson told the story of how the church first met in the East Side Businessmen’s Association Clubhouse on Atwood Avenue, now Bunky’s Cafe. The congregation built their church on East Washington Avenue, where it has thrived ever since, pastored first by Peterson’s grandfather and then his father.
About 20 years ago the congregation needed more room but city officials denied their request to expand their building. So they began looking for new property in the suburbs. But then an amazing thing happened.
“The Carpenter Ridgeway Neighborhood went to bat for us with the city,” Peterson said in the video. At a meeting of the city plan commission in September 2000 approval was given for the expansion after all. The congregation continues to thrive but it also plays an important role in the neighborhood. The Carpenter Ridgeway Neighborhood Association holds its regular meetings in the church building.
So on Palm Sunday, this past Sunday, the name change became official and Bethesda church took on the name of the street immediately to the north of East Washington Avenue.
“We are now at a place of new beginnings,” Peterson said. “We take on a whole new identity; we take on the identity of Ridgeway Church.”