Bethany Community Church is a church plant of Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria, IL. In June of 2005, Pastor Ritch Boerckel shared with Bethany Baptist the leadership's desire to plant a church on the east side of the Illinois River. In October of 2005, Bethany Baptist purchased a farmhouse (the current BCC offices) and outbuildings on 3 acres in Washington, IL with an option to purchase an additio
nal 75 acres by 2010. In the fall of 2007, Bethany Baptist moved forward with its church plant plans. Pastor Daniel Bennett took an eight-week sabbatical in order to transition from his responsibilities as family pastor to church plant pastor. Bethany Community Church began meeting as a Sunday School during second service at Bethany Baptist on May 18, 2008. In September 2008, the first services were held at Five Points Washington. On May 1, 2010 Bethany Community Church officially installed Elders and adopted both a Church Constitution and By-Laws. They continued to meet at Five Points Washington until the end of March, 2020. They have recently completed the building of their worship center and church home and meet in the church building for all of their Sunday morning and mid-week ministries.
