Bethany, city, Oklahoma county, central Oklahoma, U.S., immediately west of Oklahoma City. It was established in 1909 as a religious colony centred on Southern Nazarene University, which was established as Oklahoma Holiness College in 1909 but later merged with the Texas Holiness University (founded 1899). Until the mid-1990s pool halls, dance halls, movie theatres, beauty salons, and the use of alcoholic beverages were prohibited by local blue laws. Bethany’s industry, like that of Oklahoma City, is based on the manufacture of aviation equipment and the processing of agricultural products. Lake Overholser, just outside the city, is a popular recreation area. Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, on the lake’s north shore, provides habitat for many songbirds and waterfowl and is used as a U.S. Department of the Interior banding station. Inc. 1910. Pop. (2000) 20,307; (2010) 19,051.