THE CHURCH HISTORY OF BEREA BAPTIST CHURCH
Stevens Point, WI

... as learned through verbal and written memories. We have not found any old photographs of our building.

The old church building was first moved onto the present site in the late 1800’s. The brick structure was then a part of the Christian church denomination. The brick exterior exists today under the present siding. The old stone foundation is still very strong. At some point, the church building was then changed to be a part of the Free Methodist Church group.

In September 1959, Rev. & Mrs. Elvin Storey of Hiawatha Baptist Missions, moved to Whiting for the purpose of starting an independent Baptist church. The first service was held in October of 1959, in a rented store building in Whiting.

The property at 2216 Ellis Street was purchased in August 1962, along with a parsonage at 2516 Center Street.

Upon the resignation of Rev. Story in 1963, Rev. Stanley Lightfoot, Hr. was called as Pastor. The Bible Baptist Church was officially organized November 8, 1966. The church was accepted into the Wisconsin Association of Regular Baptist Churches on April 1, 1968. The church was received into the fellowship of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, June 24, 1968.

The parsonage on Center Street was sold January 1968, and the house at 2209 Ellis Street was purchased for a parsonage.

Upon the resignation of Rev. Lightfoot, in 1971, Rev. Robert Trylick was called as Pastor and began his ministry September 12, 1971. In 1974, the name of the church was changed by vote of the membership to Berea Baptist Church. The name was selected because of the desire to be like those in the Bible passage of Acts 17:10 & 11.

In 1975, Rev. Trylick resigned to Pastor another Baptist church. Rev. Arthur Mann was called to begin his ministry, April 8, 1975. In April 1977, a ground-breaking service was held and construction of an adjoining building was begun. The church membership voted in January 1978, to become a self-supporting church by April 16, 1978. This celebration and graduation from Mission status service was held April 16, 1978.

In 1983, the parsonage at 2209 Ellis St. was sold and the house at 2224 Ellis St. was purchased for a parsonage. Three other Pastors & families served Berea until 1989. In 1990, Pastor Earl E. Swigart began ministry at Berea. In 1995, the property at 2208 Ellis St. was purchased for future expansion as blessed by God.