In 1872, the Rev. Henry Woodard established the Bethlehem Christian Church Disciples of Christ. The Rev. Woodard, who served as pastor for 43 years until his death in 1915, conveyed two acres for the church and a cemetery to freedpersons who were the earliest members of the congregation. Members first met at a wood-framed building which also housed Cedar Lake School. The members erected new sanctuaries in 1913, 1951 and 1997. Through the years, the church has served the community as a spiritual, social, educational and financial leader. Today, Bethlehem Christian Church continues to be a focal point of the Cedar Lake community.