Bethany Memorial Chapel

This lovely country church was constructed by volunteer labor from Norwegian settlers. The Norwegians started settling in the early 1880s and soon established a town known as Taney.   This church was chartered as The Evangelical Lutheran Church when it was established in 1902. When the congregation decided to erect a building, they decided on all volunteer labor.  Construction of the church began in 1903 and finished in 1905.  This Gothic revival type church and its graveyard are nestled in among mature evergreens and rolling crop land on Bear Ridge out of Kendrick, Idaho.  The nave boasts lancet clear arched windows while the tower is adorned with a pinwheel patterned round window.  The altar area is a raised semi-circle with newel posts at the ends.  Pews were hand carved from Douglas Fir logs.  From the charming belfry to the gingerbread trim, this church is a treasure.  The church is used on Easter, Memorial Day, and Christmas with an occasional wedding or funeral ceremony.

Photo of the Bethany Memorial Chapel, date unknown, courtesy of Latah County Historical Society, 10-06-004.

 Photo of the Bethany Memorial Chapel from 1908, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 10-06-005.

Photograph of one of the monuments in the Bethany Memorial Cemetery, c.a. 1980, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 25-07-12.

Bethany Memorial Chapel and Cemetery, c.a. 1980, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 25-07-14.

References:

Hibbard, Don. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Boise, ID, August 4, 1978.

Julieta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 178.