"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.
Kody Witt, is the Coordinator of Youth Ministries.
He has grown up here in Brookville and attended Brookville High School. He currently is
attending Clarion University where he is earning a bachelor’s degree in history. Upon
graduation, he plans on attending seminary in order to obtain a Master’s of Divinity.
The past two summers he has been a camp counselor at Jumonville Camp and Retreat Center.
He has also worked as a music intern for the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Brookville.
Outside of ministry he enjoys music, sports, and a life outdoors.
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.
