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BROOKSIDE
WESLEYAN CHURCH
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The Story of Brookside Wesleyan Church
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"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past" (Deuteronomy 32:7, NIV).
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In the year 1936 a group of not more than 10 desired a Wesleyan Methodist Church in Wellsville. For a time they met in their homes. Then the Rev. and Mrs. George Norman, pastors of the Olean Wesleyan Methodist Church, assisted them. On March 30, 1938, the group was officially organized as a Wesleyan Methodist Church by the Rev. A. J. Taylor, president of the then known Lockport Conference.
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The first public meeting place was on Witter Avenue. Three pastors served the group there. During this time the regular membership had increased to 21 with five associates. However, several moved away until only five of the original group remained. In April 1941, when the Rev. and Mrs. Erwin Enty came to pastor the work there were two places of worship: Witter Avenue and a tent at Proctor Terrace.
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In 1949 the property and building at 211 West State Street were purchased from the Potter Candy Company. This building was built in 1916 by Mr. E. D. Stannards of 188 South Main Street and was later sold to the Potter Company. On August 13, 1949 the building was dedicated as The Wesleyan Methodist church of Wellsville. The work at Wellsville had been of slow growth. A marked increase in interest and influence had been noted since the radio ministry was started in 1957 by the Rev. Alton J. Shea. During the three years of the radio ministry many letters of appreciation were received telling of the spiritual blessings to those who had heard the gospel over the air. In the spring of 1957 the pastor began a ministry to an early Sunday morning group in Alfred. After a time, the work there was taken under the direction of several evangelical ministers.
Outgrowing their location on West State Street, a building program was initiated and on December 14, 1969 the congregation moved in to their new building located on Route 417, East of Wellsville. Dedicated in January 1970, it housed a sanctuary seating 150 and provided room for approximately the same in the Sunday School. Evangelism had been a keynote of the Wellsville work. This ministry has aided in the building of Christian character and additions to the church membership roll.
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Under the ministry of Rev. Edward Bean the church gained a clear sense of scholarly Bible teaching and preaching. Following these productive years of ministry, Rev. Arthur Yeager would later help to build strong family connections and a significant outreach to the youth. A number of teens from that period in the church's growth have since answered the call to ministry. Rev. Gordon Chapman tended the church through a strong personal calling ministry and an active bus ministry that served then as a catalyst for times of unprecedented numerical growth, particularly in the Sunday School.
Rev. Robin George was called as the church's pastor in 1984 and was used of God to bring to the church a fresh sense of renewed hope and vision. In 1988 the church celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a monthly special emphasis throughout the year and held a "Church Celebration" on Sunday, June 5, 1988, with Pastor George, and former pastors Alton Shea, Edward Bean, Arthur Yeager, and Gordon Chapman each in attendance. Rev. Alton Shea presented the morning message.
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A key period of shaping was followed by the church transitioning to a new place for advancing God's Kingdom. Refocusing was implemented in the fall of 2005 with the church's mission being clearly defined, along with verifying foundational values, mission focus, ministry values, and the development of a renewed vision of "Widening the Circles of Christ's Love."
Groundbreaking for a new addition took place on Sunday, October 8, 2006 and the project was later completed and then dedicated on Sunday, April 27, 2008 with District Superintendent, Rev. Neil A. Koppen, participating in the milestone event. Yet another multi-purpose addition was constructed beginning in April of 2010 and which now serves as the church's new activities/fellowship center.
Brookside Wesleyan Church Pastors
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Eugene Rieber
George Visingard (1937-1939)
Arthur Osgood (1939-1941)
Erwin Enty (1941-1946)
Mark Larson (1946-1948)
Harry Girts (1948-1950)
Howard McKenzie (1950-1953)
Robert Klatt (1953-1956)
Alton Shea (1956-1970)
Malcolm Ellis (1970-1971)
Edward Bean (1971-1976)
Arthur Yeager (1976-1980)
Gordon Chapman (1980-1984)
Robin George (1984-2020)
William Lawson (2020-2021)
Dennis Yingling (2021-2022)
Eric Norris (2023)
Monty Ader (2023-Present)
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Assistant Pastors
Carol Schweigart (2002-2010)
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