Brookhaven Church of Christ

In the year 1990, Bro. P. E. Stuart was one of many significant members who paved the way for Brookhaven Church of Christ. Sis. Evelyn Ilford, Sis. Georgia Edwards and Sis. Sarah Lancelin went out in search of the first meeting place for Brookhaven, which was in the Brookhaven addition between Sunnyside and 610 on Danube Street.  And that would be how we received our name.

Many of our Brookhaven members attended Palm Center Church of Christ under the leadership of Bro. P. E. Stuart, Minister and Bro. Elmo Adams, Assistant Minister, before Brookhaven was established. Some of the other members included Bro. Johnnie Jackson and Bro. Wes Jackson who were not related, but 2 of the oldest members of the congregation and Bro. Thomas Ward. 

 Sis. Cindy Benton, the mother of Sis. LaShonda Campbell also attended Brookhaven along with her mother, Sis. Benton. The Crosby Family, the Wilson Family, the Bell family, Sis .Lynch, Bro. Wayne McVey, Bro. Johnnie McDonald, Sis. Ruby  Slaughter, Bro. and Sis. Skinner and Sis. Peggy Bolden were also members just to name a few. Most of Brookhaven’s members were families.

The second building that Brookhaven would utilize would be a potable building donated by Crestmont Church of Christ which also originated from Palm Center Church of Christ. As a matter of fact, the portable building first belonged to Palm Center Church of Christ who donated the building to Crestmont.

The portable building was placed here where we are now on Southview St. and this location was found by Bro. P. E. Stuart. As time went on and Brookhaven grew, it became apparent that the congregation needed a new building. The portable building had begun to leak and the house next door was purchased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The house next door was used for vacation bible class and fellowship events. And I quote Sis. Philistine, “I tell you it was kind of rough too, you had to fight the rats.”Somebody fell through the porch, but there were no worries because Brookhaven was always saving and pledging to raise money for a new building.

Some gave $1,000.00 or 2 people got together and paid $500.00 a piece. The house was torn down after the portable building was placed so they had somewhere to meet. While building our current building, Brookhaven met for over a year at 4717 Wilmington St., which is Sis. Journet’s Beauty Rama.

Through the years money was put in 5 gallon jugs inside the building and counted up on New Year’s Eve night, while having food and prayer together. They held hands, sang songs and each male prayed. The singing group sung songs and the youth put on a program.

Which brings me to Brookhaven’s extracurricular activities.  The Brook Haven Singers were know for their talented young director who could really hold a note and members from other congregations would sing alongside Brookhaven at the first Sunday singings. The Inner Change Freedom Initiative at the Carol Vance Unit was also a place where The Brook Haven Singers would lift up their voices of encouragement and praise for the Lord to inmates in song.

Last, but definitely not least, were The United Ladies and Brookhaven’s support of Southwestern Christian College in Tyler Texas which is run by President, Dr. Jack Evans Sr., a member of the Church of Christ. SWCC is a private, historically black college operated by the Churches of Christ. The United Ladies meet through the year planning events and raising money to support SWCC. Sis. Sarah Lancelin was a member of the United Ladies and contributed much to the success of fundraising for the organization.

 

When the members of Rosharon Church of Christ came and merged with Brookhaven on February 3rd of 2013 we all meshed in one accord to the love and guidance of God’s word. We enjoy fellowshipping together and eating good food; well we know Bro. Love surely does.

We have been together just over 2 years and we have already inducted our 2 Elders Bro. Joseph Kirven Sr. and Bro. Selven Mack, Sr. who are God sent for the job and their awesome wives.  We have wonderful ministers and leaders; Bro. Michael Love, Bro. Timothy Bradley and Bro. Terrence Williams, Sr. who are constantly building us up, guiding us and leading us in the right direction.

This year our goal is to finish paying off our building in 6 months and we are well on our way. Donations are coming in; including the recent $5,000.00 and the printer we received. Our theme for this year is “Serving Jesus the King in 2015” and God is truly blessing Brookhaven in a mighty way so we plan to show him our appreciation for it all today and every day by being the church that He talks about in the Bible and shining our light for the world to see.  So they too can be a part of God’s marvelous light here at Brookhaven, “Where Christ and Christians Meet!”