1903
Three young Christians from Sunderland, Frank Jones, Ossie Welch (Bella Masters' father) and David Guyan began an open air work in Houghton. Mrs Fish and later her husband Frank were some of the first converts. Soon an "Assembly" was formed and began "Breaking of Bread" meetings, using two rooms above Mr Jones' chemist shop in Newbottle Street.

1907
Mrs Jolliffe and family came from Jarrow followed in 1908 by Mr and Mrs Jim Hope and family. Mr Jones rented a hall in Sunderland Street as the new venue for the meetings. Unfortunately, a doctrinal disagreement arose and some of the believers moved out to meet in homes, then in Pottery Yard before finally -

1913
Opening of a new Hall in No 3 Union Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

1916
Mr & Mrs W Robson moved to Houghton-le-Spring from Ferryhill. During the next few years the fellowship increased and many young men were saved through Mr Robson's Bible Class. These men were active in evangelism through Open Air Work and Text Carriers Rallies. The numbers began to grow and eventually the premises became too small.

1932
On the 1st January the "opening" of Mautland Street Gospel Hall took place.

1951
A building fund was commenced for a new building, as the Mautland Street premises were becoming too small. Land was acquired in Nesham Place from Mrs Todd.

1965
On 6th November Bethany Church was opened in the presence of the local MP and other civic dignitaries. The new building had been partly financed by the sale of surplus land to Durham County Council for the provision of a Nursery School.

1990
John and Valerie McQuoid were invited to join the fellowship in a full-time pastoral role, John becoming an Elder of the fellowship. The regular pastoral visitation, in addition to the other activities of the Church, produced increased contacts for the Church and a considerable number of people were brought to faith in Christ and numbers continued to increase.

1992
October - The premises in Nesham Place became too small to house the growing fellowship particularly for the Family Service. The Sunday morning activities, Breaking of Bread Service and Family Service, were transferred to the Assembly Hall of Kepier School in Dairy Lane. The Family Service grew in popularity with the increased numbers including many saved and others transferring as they moved into the area. The increased accommodation gave better facilities for the Sunday school classes.

1994
March - After extensive enquiries about properties and suitable sites throughout the town, the Church was able to negotiate the purchase of 1.9 acres of land on the site of the former Grammer School on Hetton Road for the construction of a new Church building.

1997
November - Following many months of designed consultations, planning applications and building work, the new Bethany Christian Centre was officially opened on 8th November 1997.This provided extensive, ‘state of the art’ facilities for the growing congregation. An auditorium to seat up to 400, crèche, lounge, restaurant to seat 120, sports hall, changing rooms, classrooms and youth facilities.

John McQuoid who has served as Pastor for 7, very profitable years, decided to return to Northern Ireland in order to pass on the work to a younger man. Dave Burke, a native of Sunderland, came to the Church in 1997 as the Pastor from Knighton Free Evangelical Church in Leicester.

2004
September - As a result of continued growth the facilities - particularly on a Sunday morning - were becoming too small for the large numbers attending. Many options were considered but it was finally agreed to plant a new Church in Sunderland. 65 people, together with Dave Burke as the Pastor, moved to Sunderland and opened a new work initially in the Stadium of Light.

2005
September - After an extensive search Alistair Purss was appointed Pastor. He came to Bethany Christian Centre from Sawyers Evangelical Church, Brentwood.

2007
As the workload increased it was decided to appoint two associate pastors. Gordon Weir joined the staff as Pastor for young people and families and David Childs for discipleship and spiritual growth.

2010 February
After 5 years service with the Church, Alistair Purss decided to move on and subsequently became Pastor of Dumfries Baptist Church. At much the same time, Gordon Weir and David Childs were approached by Churches looking for a Pastor and they moved on to Brisbane Evangelical Church, Largs and Strathaven Evangelical Church, near Glasgow, respectively.