The Federated Church of Brookston is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. To celebrate, they are hosting the “Federated Church of Brookston 100th Anniversary Celebration” on October 5, 2019. From 5-7 p.m., the public is invited to come and enjoy Dan’s Fish Fry ($10/person) as well as bounce houses, face painting, balloon artist and the Frosty Freeze Food Trailer. Following these activities from 7-9pm, Scott Greeson & Trouble with Monday will perform in the church’s sanctuary.
Rev. David Doles shares, “We are excited as a congregation to invite the town of Brookston, along with surrounding neighbors and communities, to help us celebrate this 100 year legacy. We are the oldest Federated Church in Indiana and are proud of this heritage. For 100 years we have operated with a spirit of cooperation as a Body of Christ representing two denominations and are called to continue to serve our community for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ for many years to come. So come and celebrate with us!”
History of the church: The Federated Church of Brookston is the oldest Federated Church in Indiana, serving as a model for other Federated Churches. The first Baptist church in Brookston was organized in 1866, joining the Missionary Baptist church in 1910, forming the Union Baptist Church, housed in a wooden building. The first Presbyterian church in Brookston was organized in 1889, originally housed in a wooden building, in 1901 erected a more substantial brick building.
Following World War I, rising costs and too few church members to support all the churches in the area set the stage for forming a cooperative church movement, resulting in the Federation of the Baptist and the Presbyterians. On July 27, 1919, the Union Baptist Church and the First Presbyterian Church came together “to better fulfill their common mission….to conserve the resources of the kingdom of God, and to promote the unity of His disciples.” Thus, The Federated Church of Brookston was formed with the Reverend C.C. Brown, a Baptist, serving as the first pastor.
The Federated Church of Brookston is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.