As the 20th century was drawing to a close, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church parishioners celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1992. By that time, the church as part of the Lutheran Church of America (L.C.A.) united with other Lutheran groups to form the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (E.L.C.A.). As with so many of the other churches in the association, many of the old ethnic and ritual barriers gave way to a more cosmopolitan church that attracted many to its doors. As part of the E.L.C.A. Bethany Church serves the Lutheran movement via internships where the pastor and staff teach people preparing for the ministry. The program is very successful and has received great praise for its insight and service, mixing the enthusiasm of the novice with the experience of the staff. In 1987 Beatrice Michaels served as an intern and the church members were delighted to see her ordained at Bethany in 1989.

Rev. Blake H. Wamester had become pastor in 1984 and was there to lead the congregation in making significant improvements and compiling the church history for its 100th anniversary. When Rev. Dennis D. Kiesling became pastor of Bethany, the church had already made a significant number of improvements on the 1954 building, including a new roof and in making the church handicapped accessible. It had opened its doors to self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous as it increased its role of outreach to the community.

Rev. Kiesling feels that Bethany presents people with an alternative lifestyle in the 21st century. He states that the object of his pastorate is to bring the Word and the Sacraments to communicants and to foster a sense of community. He knew at a young age that he was going to be of service to the church. He said he can recall his grandmother saying, “Dennis will be a Lutheran pastor someday.” He never doubted that since age 12.

The way he interprets the word “pastor” is that of a shepherd and that a Lutheran pastor is always living in the midst of the people and never on a pedestal. Throughout his life Pastor Dennis has found strong support in the Lutheran church and feels that Bethany Church should be a welcoming community in a time when there is great need for a sense of community that is lacking in modern times. He sees the church as a means of bringing people together with a common purpose. While there have been a number of ecumenical advances in the various religious groups in the United States, he points out that social aspects have kept the denominations divided.

Then and now, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church offers a social atmosphere to its people as well as a strong sense of spirituality. There have been a number of committees formed to further the goals of the church, as well as banquets and entertainments, such as the Fall Sunday School Picnic.

Bethany Church, once a haven for Swedish immigrants who were in need of spiritual as well as financial assistance, has made a smooth transition from those late 19th century days in Cranston to the role in playing an important part in the changing times of the 21st century.