How it all started...
God raised up "Brook Hill" Church over 100 years ago when the people of the surrounding neighborhood felt the need for a local church. Over the last century, our church has seen births and weddings, baptisms and funerals. We have seen plentiful times and lean times, and yes, we've had our struggles, but through it all God has been at work. We believe that our history tells more than the story of "Brookhill." We believe that it tells God's story, the story of how Jesus has changed lives and brought us to Himself. Below is a brief sketch of how He has worked over the years at this little country church by the brook from the hill.
- 1922-1926 People in neighborhood felt need of a church. They met and made plans to have church.
- 1922 A tent was used for Sunday School and preaching.
- June 8, 1923 The Deed for the land donated to be used by Brook Hill Union Church recorded.
- October 10, 1926 Church completed and dedicated named Brook Hill Union Church. Special thanks was given to Cleveland Ferguson for his faithful, cheerful service he rendered. Land for church was donated by Will S. Hurt.
- March 29, 1940 Deed for the Bandy Cemetery.
- August 1947 First Wedding Nadine Kelly and Wiley McGuire
- 1949 Sunday School Wing added to church.
- At some point the name was changed to Brook Hill Community Church and then shortened to Brookhill Community Church.
- 1965 Rev. Aubrey Dooley first full time pastor.
- 1971 Bus ministry started under Aubrey Dooley's leadership..
Expanding the vision...
- 1971 Two-story addition added to the back of the main building, for Sunday School rooms and children's church.
- 1973 Plans made to change name from Brookhill Community Church to Brookhill Baptist Church.
- June 19, 1976 First baptismal service.
- 1977 First Easter outdoor drama.
- 1978 Pastor Dooley steps down and Pastor Bill Cato welcomed
- March 1979 Brookhill Baptist Church name change completed.
- 1984 Pastor Cato steps down to ministry in Bradenton, FL
- 1985 Pastor Wilmar Wegner called from Williamson, WV.
- September 1986 Robert and Ruth Bandy gave land to church for additional parking in anticipation of building new sanctuary.
- October 1, 1986 Members voted to build new sanctuary.
- March 29, 1987 Ground broken for new sanctuary.
- October 1987 Dedication of new sanctuary facilities.
- Pastor Wilmar Wegner leaves 2000 to take a position at another church.
- Pastor Nate Wood is called 2001 and leaves in 2003
- Pastor Gary Norris is called 2004 and leaves in 2010
- Pastor Nathan Anderson is called 2011
- Pastor Anderson leaves July 2019
- Pastor Wesley A. Yerkes began serving August 1st, 2020
- Pastor Yerkes resigned on April 30th, 2023
Where we are headed...
On July 12th, 2020 our church voted with 100% support to call Wesley A. Yerkes to be the next Senior Pastor of Brookhill Baptist and he officially began August 1st, 2020. On October 17th, 2020, Brookhill Baptist hosted its first Ordination Council and the next day ordained Wesley A. Yerkes to the gospel ministry.
Brookhill Baptist recognizes an ever changing world in which we live and serve, so the means or methods by which we do this must grow, diversify and expand. We are increasing our online presence by expanding from Facebook LIVE to YouTube LIVE and our new website will host a LIVE broadcast as well as archive all of our videos. This new website offers an app that can be used to view and interact with all of our online content and provide additional connections for members to interact with each other and the world in which we are attempting to minister. We will also be utilizing our facilities in new ways to serve our community with fellowship meals and Christian Family Film nights. We also still want to reach out to the growing cycling community that utilizes Bandy Road for training and bicycling enjoyment. The 3M Men's Ministry is looking for service opportunities to help our elderly community and those with other needs.
We as the Brookhill Baptist fellowship of believers desire to see many more people in our community come to know, to love and to serve Jesus Christ. As we reach out to new folks we hope to see many come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, become "born again" by the Spirit of God, follow the Lord in "believer's baptism" and then begin serving others with the power and joy of the Christian Life. This is the Abundant Life that really wins!
Brookhill Baptist recognizes an ever changing world in which we live and serve, so the means or methods by which we do this must grow, diversify and expand. We are increasing our online presence by expanding from Facebook LIVE to YouTube LIVE and our new website will host a LIVE broadcast as well as archive all of our videos. This new website offers an app that can be used to view and interact with all of our online content and provide additional connections for members to interact with each other and the world in which we are attempting to minister. We will also be utilizing our facilities in new ways to serve our community with fellowship meals and Christian Family Film nights. We also still want to reach out to the growing cycling community that utilizes Bandy Road for training and bicycling enjoyment. The 3M Men's Ministry is looking for service opportunities to help our elderly community and those with other needs.
We as the Brookhill Baptist fellowship of believers desire to see many more people in our community come to know, to love and to serve Jesus Christ. As we reach out to new folks we hope to see many come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, become "born again" by the Spirit of God, follow the Lord in "believer's baptism" and then begin serving others with the power and joy of the Christian Life. This is the Abundant Life that really wins!
