Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

To recognize the milestone, Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace presented the church with a citation on behalf of the borough.

The Rev. Kevin Roberts, the church’s pastor, received the citation during Tuesday’s borough council meeting.

According to the citation, the church was started by a circuit rider ministry in the 1890s. Ground for the church was broken in May of 1900, and the church was completed and dedicated in December of that year.