Our Mission

The mission of Wesley Church is to be a center of Christian spiritual growth, where hearts and lives are changed, where faith is taught and lived, where the broken are healed and the hurting are helped, where the visitor is welcomed and new friends are made, where people find peace and seekers find answers, where God's love is celebrated and God's forgiveness is known!

Our Growth and Development

Methodism in the Bethlehem area began in the Spring of 1849 as an appointment of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Services were first held in the Odd Fellows Hall on New Street but lasted only a year because of the opposition to Methodism.

In 1851, there was new beginning. Services were held every third week and by May 1852, the Rev. W.H. Brisbane was preaching every other Sunday. The Church incorporated on November 20, 1852.
In 1854, the Sunday School opened, the church property was purchased on Center Street just north of the Lehigh River for $250, the corner stone was laid, the church incorporated, and dedication was January 8, 1855.

The church grew rapidly and in 1869 a new building was constructed at 424 Center Street. In 1887, the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized and two years later renamed the Methodist Young People's Christian League.

In 1930, during difficult economic times, a new Sunday School addition was planned and dedicated in 1932. Bethlehem continued to grow and Wesley United Methodist Church, anticipating an eventual move, purchased the Laros property on Center Street in 1969.

In April 1993 the congregation voted to relocate the church at 2540 Center Street and build a $3.1 million dollar facility.

In June 1995, we moved to our present location and eagerly opened a fully accessible facility to the community. We are being transformed by the love of God and we welcome you!