It began back in 1919, when a group met regularly at the home of George McKibben for prayer while the church they had attended was closed for the summer. One of the persons in the group was William R. Buckler, who was a member of an Indianapolis Free Methodist Church. He had moved to Kokomo for employment and soon was gripped with the hope of seeing a Free Methodist Church organized in his newly adopted city. His vision became the group’s vision. As a result, on Thursday evening, October 9, 1919, the Free Methodist Church of Kokomo was organized. It was organized midway through a six-week revival. Nellie Lewis, the wife of District Elder M. E. Lewis, was appointed pastor to serve until the 1920 session of the Wabash Annual Conference. At that time, Joseph C. Black was transferred from Muncie to this new church. The membership that year was reported at 46. It was during this pastorate that a lot at 507 North McCann Street was purchased and the basement unit of a church building was completed.
Under the pastoral leadership of Gertrude Gebauer, the church in 1927 built the main sanctuary. In 1930, while Elner D. Riggs was the pastor, a parsonage was built next to the church building. In 1951, while J. Nuel Ellis was pastor, lots adjoining the property were purchased. Ten years later, under the pastoral leadership of Arthur L. Browning, an educational wing was built on that land. During the Wayne Neeley pastorate (1969 – 1977), seventeen acres were purchased along Highway 26 at the south edge of the city. The property included a house suitable for a parsonage. A new church was completed in 1974 and the name became “Brookside Free Methodist Church.”
The congregation’s vision was not only to improve facilities for service but also to actually serve God more effectively in their community. They have been accomplishing this over-all goal with increasing effectiveness.
By 2007, the church had outgrown the Fellowship Hall for most gatherings and the Youth had outgrown their space. So it was decided to add a gymnasium, kitchen and youth center. A Ground breaking ceremony for the project was August 10, 2008 and the new addition was dedicated in June 2009. In the fall of 2013, the church installed a hearing loop in the sanctuary for the hearing impaired.
In addition to those mentioned above, these have been used of God in giving strong pastoral leadership from its beginning in 1919 to the present time: O. L. Mumaw, William H. Buckler, N. C, Fletcher, John A. Watson, J. L. Bright, Ina Ellis, H. E. Perigo, John C. Ferguson, R. W. Green, Albert Wineinger, John A. Lefler, Dan Cloud, Douglas Benham and Jeff Bradley.
Under the pastoral leadership of Gertrude Gebauer, the church in 1927 built the main sanctuary. In 1930, while Elner D. Riggs was the pastor, a parsonage was built next to the church building. In 1951, while J. Nuel Ellis was pastor, lots adjoining the property were purchased. Ten years later, under the pastoral leadership of Arthur L. Browning, an educational wing was built on that land. During the Wayne Neeley pastorate (1969 – 1977), seventeen acres were purchased along Highway 26 at the south edge of the city. The property included a house suitable for a parsonage. A new church was completed in 1974 and the name became “Brookside Free Methodist Church.”
The congregation’s vision was not only to improve facilities for service but also to actually serve God more effectively in their community. They have been accomplishing this over-all goal with increasing effectiveness.
By 2007, the church had outgrown the Fellowship Hall for most gatherings and the Youth had outgrown their space. So it was decided to add a gymnasium, kitchen and youth center. A Ground breaking ceremony for the project was August 10, 2008 and the new addition was dedicated in June 2009. In the fall of 2013, the church installed a hearing loop in the sanctuary for the hearing impaired.
In addition to those mentioned above, these have been used of God in giving strong pastoral leadership from its beginning in 1919 to the present time: O. L. Mumaw, William H. Buckler, N. C, Fletcher, John A. Watson, J. L. Bright, Ina Ellis, H. E. Perigo, John C. Ferguson, R. W. Green, Albert Wineinger, John A. Lefler, Dan Cloud, Douglas Benham and Jeff Bradley.
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