Celebrating 40 Years

Over the last 40 years, we have welcomed many into our sanctuary, and pray we continue to be a center for our community. 

Bethany of Fox Valley to celebrate 40th anniversary

In a leap of faith, Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church was founded in the early days of the development of Fox Valley Villages in Aurora.  Forty years have passed since the congregation opened the doors of their new building.  On Sunday, September 13 at 9 a.m, the Reverend Thomas Babler who led the first service in the church will take the pulpit to celebrate this moment and look forward to a future for the congregation.

Back in 1980, there were a few subdivisions started in Fox Valley Villages but there were major plans for many more homes potentially filled with families looking for a church home.  After surveying the residents of two new subdivisions, a handful of people met in homes to talk about starting a church.  Although the numbers were small, the faith was strong enough for 15 families to hold a worship service in a hallway was Waubonsie Valley High School on December 7, 1980.  Within a few years, the group had grown and on May 16, 1982, 52 people signed a charter to form Fox Valley United Methodist Church.

Plans for a building seemed many years away until the congregation met with members of Bethany United Methodist Church, a struggling congregation located in downtown Aurora.  Plans for a merger were discussed and on June 3, 1984, the congregation merged to become Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church.  In that moment, a new church with over a hundred years of history behind it, was founded.

The sale of Bethany’s building at 4th and Clark Streets in Aurora provided the seed money to start work on a building for Fox Valley Villages.  In September of 1986, Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church opened the doors to a new home at 2200 Ridge Road in Aurora.  Since that time, the church has added on to the building to allow for more programming. 

Until recently, Aurora had five United Methodist Churches.  Today, there are only two, Wesley United Methodist and Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist.  The congregation is smaller but they are determined to continue providing a faith home for families.  Current members, former members and people curious about exploring this dedicated faith family are welcome to attend the service at 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 13 at the building located at 2200 Ridge Avenue in Aurora.