Bethany Lutheran Church serves the Oakland community, being organized in 1936 by Gilbert Goodman, the son of Dr. R. A. Goodman. He began holding services in the Oakland School House while he was a seminarian. Later, Dr. E. B. Keisler (who was the pastor of The Redeemer and later president of Central Theological Seminary) continued this work until the congregation was organized. Rev. J. B. Harman, D. D. was the first pastor. By 1938, the church building was completed and the church was self supporting by 1954