"Its first name was Bethel..." so began the Reverend A. B. Fields in his centennial sermon of 1876.  The congregation known today as the Presbyterian Church of Brookville traces its formal beginning to 1824.  However, Presbyterian clergy were baptizing, marrying, preaching, and burying in Jefferson County more than a decade earlier.

Meeting first in homes, then in a log schoolhouse near the Old Jefferson Cemetery on Route 23 and in a log church where Route 322 enters Union Township, the congregation moved into the county seat and a new building on the corner of Main and White Streets in 1842.  Scot-Irish descendents continued to move into the area, encouraged by timber prospects, and the congregation grew.

Following the Civil War but before the Depression of 1873, the congregation built a new building on the same location.  Sermons were described as "strong, doctrinal, and yet with a tenderness of pleading that touched the hearts", and preachers as "effective" or "evangelistic".  In 1884 Paul Darling's bequest made possible the construction of the French Second Empire manse adjacent to the present building (1905).

During the next century, the congregation witnessed two world wars, the Great Depression, the completion of Interstate 80, the rapid expansion of computer technology, and continued to flourish.  They dedicated a new Christian Education Building (1951) and kept abreast of new challenges in Christian Education.  Today the congregation of 570 members continues to examine its roles and responsibilities as part of Christ's church worldwide by offering a wide variety of programs and activities for people of all ages.

Rev. Thomas J. Parlette is the Pastor and Head of Staff for Brookville Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry of Kiskiminetas Presbytery and has been a sermon illustration writer for "Emphasis" preaching journal. T.J. is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He also has a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Rev. Parlette has served pastorates in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and Bridgehampton, New York prior to becoming Pastor and Head of Staff at Brookville in October, 2003. T.J. and Juliet Parlette have been married for 8 years and are the proud parents of 3 year old Grafton Parlette.

Judi Paden, Administrative Assistant, was raised in Clarion County as a member of the Concord Presbyterian Church. Judi is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Judi has taught Home Economics, been Home Economist/Youth Agent for the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service, Field Executive for Keystone Tall Trees Girl Scout Council, and office manager for Brookville Dental PC. Judi feels her most challenging and rewarding position has been that of wife and mother. She is married to Jerry and her children, Katie, Alison, and Frank live on Hunter’s Grove Road.

Karen Ray, is the Coordinator of Youth Ministries. Profile will be coming soon.

D500260 - Ireland
Baker, Rev. Doug and Elaine
5 Ormiston Park
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT4 3JT, United Kingdom
doug.baker@dnet.co.k
Doug is co-leader of the Partners in Transformation project and Young Adult Volunteer site coordinator, Elaine does team ministry.

D500470 - Nepal
Booth, Dr. Beverly
Health Services Office
United Kingdom Mission to Nepal
P.O. Box 126
Katmandu, Nepal
bevbooth@wlink.com.np
Beverly is the director of policy and strategy for the United Mission to Nepal

D507280 - Honduras
Wheeler, Tim and Gloria
Proyecto Heifer International
Apartado 27, Colonia Kennedy
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
twheeler@sdnhon.org.hn
Tim and Gloria do community development for the Heifer Project International.

D507294 - Jamaica
Rev. Dr. Lewin & Joyce Williams
United Theological College of West Indies
P.O. Box 136
Kingston 7, Jamaica
joylew@cwjamaica.com
Joyce is a staff associate for public education for the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Lewin is president of and a professor of theology in the United Theological College of the West Indies.

Maps are also available to www.mapquest.com and www.yahoo.com.

From Punxsutawney - 36 north into Brookville; Church is across from the traffic light to the right.

From New Bethlehem - Route 28 north; turn right at intersection with Route 322 and go into town; at the traffic light at the bottom of the hill church will be on left corner.

From Brockway - Route 28 south; go under the I-80 bridges and continue to Hilltop where the road intersects with Route 322; turn right; proceed down the hill; at the second traffic light the church is on the right corner.

From Sigel - Route 36 south; under the I-80 bridges to traffic light (intersection of route 322); turn left; church is on corner at the traffic light at the bottom of the hill.

From Reynoldsville - Take Route 322 west to the traffic light at the bottom of the hill; go straight into downtown; at the second light, the church is on the right corner.

From Corsica - Take Route 322 east; there is a traffic light where the road intersects with Routes 28 and 36; go straight into town; at traffic light at the bottom of the hill; church is across street on the left corner.

From I-80 West (Clarion) - Get off at old exit 13; turn right; proceed to the traffic light at the intersection with Route 322; turn left into town; at the traffic light at the bottom of the hill; the church is across the street on the left corner.