Desirous of establishing an independent, fundamental Baptist church, a group of thirty-eight Christians met together to pray seeking
God’s will for their lives and for a place to worship. All those present believed God would have them start a church and voted to call M.
A. Seiver as their pastor. Berea Baptist Church was born. One hundred met for Sunday School that first day, meeting in every room,
porch, and the garage. There were 120 present for the first worship service on October 5, 1962 at the home of Colonel and Mrs. Albert
Haley.
Shortly thereafter the Old Recreation Hall in Ozona was secured for the church services rent free; with the only expense being the
electric and water bills. It was a perfect location with everything provided; piano, restrooms, fans, heater, and chairs! Songbooks were
donated for their use. Members who lived nearby opened their homes for the Sunday school classes to meet.
Wanting to be known as a Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible studying church, “Berea” was chosen as their name from Acts 17:11,
“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily…” On Sunday, January 6, 1963, our church had
its organizational service with 122 members. Four of the original members are still part of the Berea family – Ruby Fleeman, Mary Bell
Gustafson, Allen Ludecke, and Jimmie Sue Scoggins. These individuals continue to speak of the blessings and growth during those
days.
The Lord led Berea Baptist Church to a plot of land, two and six-tenths acres. The original building [Fellowship Hall] was begun in
February 1963. Much time and skill was donated to assist in the erection of the building, and the first services at our present location
were held on May 26, 1963. In three months, 200 books of stamps were collected and donated to get a lovely Kimball piano for the
church.
On the first anniversary, a special birthday service and dinner were held on the grounds with a birthday offering of $2,000 received
toward the building of Sunday School rooms which were completed in February 1964. This building currently houses the church offices
and the classrooms for our children ages 2-5.
In June 1964 a piece of property behind the church was purchased for a parsonage, which was completed in October 1964. Two years
later a second floor was added to the Sunday School building to make room for the expanding membership.
The buildings were full and the people asked for the Lord’s direction. Plans began on a new church building and on the second Sunday
in July 1970 the first service was held in the new [current] auditorium. Dedication for the building was held on the church’s 8th
anniversary – October 4, 1970. In order to accommodate the need for a new piano for the auditorium, green stamps were once again
collected, 500 books total, to purchase the 5’ Story and Clark.
On August 29, 1979 Dr. M.A. Seiver resigned to assume a pastorate in Lakeland, Florida. A pulpit committee was formed and in 1980,
Dr. Richard Prochnow accepted the call to be the second pastor and came to Berea in July of that year. The blessings of the Lord
continued.
During his tenure, the vestibule, restrooms, and nursery were added to the sanctuary in 1987. In October of 1999, the Family Center
was completed and dedicated to the glory of God on our 37th anniversary. Under his direction the “Repair and Beautify the House of
the Lord Campaign” was initiated and completed. Music was a tremendous part of the Prochnow’s ministry. We were greatly blessed by
their example and their commitment to conservative, God-honoring music. In August 2003, after twenty-three years of ministry at Berea,
Dr. Prochnow resigned as our pastor.
Once again, a pulpit committee was formed and after several months of reviewing resumés, interviewing possible candidates, and
seeking God’s will, Billy Gotcher was called to be the third pastor of Berea Baptist Church. He and his family began their ministry on
May 30, 2004. We are grateful for God’s direction in leading Pastor Gotcher to Berea.
We have a tremendous heritage and it is the desire of our pastor and the people of Berea Baptist Church to see the work of God
continue – seeing souls won to Christ and Christians strengthened through the preaching of God’s Word. It is our prayer that Berea
Baptist Church will continue to be “…steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Until He comes, may the Lord
find us faithful!
“To God be the glory, GREAT things HE has done!”
God’s will for their lives and for a place to worship. All those present believed God would have them start a church and voted to call M.
A. Seiver as their pastor. Berea Baptist Church was born. One hundred met for Sunday School that first day, meeting in every room,
porch, and the garage. There were 120 present for the first worship service on October 5, 1962 at the home of Colonel and Mrs. Albert
Haley.
Shortly thereafter the Old Recreation Hall in Ozona was secured for the church services rent free; with the only expense being the
electric and water bills. It was a perfect location with everything provided; piano, restrooms, fans, heater, and chairs! Songbooks were
donated for their use. Members who lived nearby opened their homes for the Sunday school classes to meet.
Wanting to be known as a Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible studying church, “Berea” was chosen as their name from Acts 17:11,
“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily…” On Sunday, January 6, 1963, our church had
its organizational service with 122 members. Four of the original members are still part of the Berea family – Ruby Fleeman, Mary Bell
Gustafson, Allen Ludecke, and Jimmie Sue Scoggins. These individuals continue to speak of the blessings and growth during those
days.
The Lord led Berea Baptist Church to a plot of land, two and six-tenths acres. The original building [Fellowship Hall] was begun in
February 1963. Much time and skill was donated to assist in the erection of the building, and the first services at our present location
were held on May 26, 1963. In three months, 200 books of stamps were collected and donated to get a lovely Kimball piano for the
church.
On the first anniversary, a special birthday service and dinner were held on the grounds with a birthday offering of $2,000 received
toward the building of Sunday School rooms which were completed in February 1964. This building currently houses the church offices
and the classrooms for our children ages 2-5.
In June 1964 a piece of property behind the church was purchased for a parsonage, which was completed in October 1964. Two years
later a second floor was added to the Sunday School building to make room for the expanding membership.
The buildings were full and the people asked for the Lord’s direction. Plans began on a new church building and on the second Sunday
in July 1970 the first service was held in the new [current] auditorium. Dedication for the building was held on the church’s 8th
anniversary – October 4, 1970. In order to accommodate the need for a new piano for the auditorium, green stamps were once again
collected, 500 books total, to purchase the 5’ Story and Clark.
On August 29, 1979 Dr. M.A. Seiver resigned to assume a pastorate in Lakeland, Florida. A pulpit committee was formed and in 1980,
Dr. Richard Prochnow accepted the call to be the second pastor and came to Berea in July of that year. The blessings of the Lord
continued.
During his tenure, the vestibule, restrooms, and nursery were added to the sanctuary in 1987. In October of 1999, the Family Center
was completed and dedicated to the glory of God on our 37th anniversary. Under his direction the “Repair and Beautify the House of
the Lord Campaign” was initiated and completed. Music was a tremendous part of the Prochnow’s ministry. We were greatly blessed by
their example and their commitment to conservative, God-honoring music. In August 2003, after twenty-three years of ministry at Berea,
Dr. Prochnow resigned as our pastor.
Once again, a pulpit committee was formed and after several months of reviewing resumés, interviewing possible candidates, and
seeking God’s will, Billy Gotcher was called to be the third pastor of Berea Baptist Church. He and his family began their ministry on
May 30, 2004. We are grateful for God’s direction in leading Pastor Gotcher to Berea.
We have a tremendous heritage and it is the desire of our pastor and the people of Berea Baptist Church to see the work of God
continue – seeing souls won to Christ and Christians strengthened through the preaching of God’s Word. It is our prayer that Berea
Baptist Church will continue to be “…steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Until He comes, may the Lord
find us faithful!
“To God be the glory, GREAT things HE has done!”
Our History
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Berea Baptist Church
370 Alt US 19 S
PO Box 489
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Phone (727) 784-2733
Fax (727) 784-5463
office@bereabaptist.us
370 Alt US 19 S
PO Box 489
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Phone (727) 784-2733
Fax (727) 784-5463
office@bereabaptist.us
| Preaching the Gospel Teaching the Word and Instilling a passion for God's glory |