Every Sunday in the early 1920's Mr. Arthur Froberg and his brother would walk to New Milford to go fishing. While walking to New Milford a gentleman by the name of Rev. Earnest O. Storer from Broadway Methodist Church would pick them up. One Sunday he asked they why they were not in Sunday School. They replied that there was no church in the area so he said he would see what he could do about that.
The Brooke Road United Methodist Church owes its thanks to God for sending to us a man such as . His attention was called to the need of a place of worship in our community each time he traveled between his two charges, the Broadway United Methodist Church and the New Milford United Methodist Church. He was determined to see what he could do about getting a little Sunday School started and in April of 1921 he presented the plan to a Mother's Club in the community and from then on plans were made to secure a place where Sunday School could be held.
This vicinity lies between Rockford and Camp Grant, a growing community inhabited by a hard working class of people trying to make a living and at the same time purchase their little homes. These conditions made it somewhat harder along the financial lines but God never calls a man to service but a way is also opened by which his plans are carried out.
After a few months a building owned by a Mr. Lobdell, a realtor, let the small congregation use his office building located on the southwest corner of 11th Street and Brooke Road on Sunday mornings.
Although the building was small - only 10 feet by 16 feet, it was a good start. The first service was held in this building in June of 1921. At this first meeting, Rev. E.O Storer, Horace Kargil, and Percy Downer were present and organized the Sunday School. The little kinsey office served as a Sunday School for only two or three Sundays due to the fact that the Sunday School was growing and the building proved much too small. People were hungry for God's word and surely there must be a way to continue. This was made possible by the kind opening of the home of the Robert Ferb's and there the Sunday School was held the remainder of the summer.
In the fall of 1921 two buildings were purchased from Camp Grant and moved to a lot donated by Mr. L.A. Kinsey and Mr. V.D. Lobdell located at the corner of Brooke Road and 10th Street. These buildings were moved onto the lots one at a time. They were loaded on wagons pulled by two teams of horses then put together to make one long building, with two rooms for Sunday School and church services. A great deal of work was done by the pastor and church members young and old, to remodel the buildings and put them in a condition to be used.
The interest for God's word was increasing so that by the latter part of 1921 a preaching service was also being held.
In the fall of 1922 the community was confronted with a new need, that of a place where the children might get an education and thus the building was remodeled into a two room school house, thus serving the purpose of a grade school during the week and a Sunday School on Sunday. However, it was necessary to use this building for a school for only one year, this need being otherwise supplied.
In March of 1923, the ladies of the community organized what is known as the Ladies Aid with a total of twelve members. Their aim was and has always been to do all possible to take care of the financial upkeep of the church.
In May of 1924 the church was organized. This was of course a special meeting and the first members were taken in, numbering 13. The first trustees of the new chapel, Mr. Clarence O'hara, Mr. Robert Ferb, and Mr. Laco Russell, together with the Sunday School officers were elected at this time.
In the fall of 1924, Rev. Storer who had done so much for our small but growing chapel, left us after having served as a messenger of God and a helping hand where ever help was needed. We then welcomed Rev. R.N. Joslyn into our pastorate. His service covered a period of two years.
After a number of years this little church was lost by a fire on the first Sunday in March 1925. Ma Ferb and her son, Rick, had started fires in each canon ball stove that were used to heat each room. They always swept out the rooms and put things in order for church and Sunday School before changing the draft regulators before going home then coming back for church and Sunday School. This turned out to be a sad day for the congregation, because the building caught fire and burned to the ground. There was good news early in the following week when Pa Ferb check and found the insurance was paid and the building was covered.
This brought forth again the problem of where the meetings might be held and the Morris Kennedy School was opened for this purpose. In the meantime, the building of a basement was started and in June of 1925 this little basement was dedicated. The presiding ministers of the Methodist Churches of Rockford were present at the dedication service and money was also pledged at this time to pay for the basement. In August of 1925 this basement was put in a condition to be used.
It had a nice big furnace and a kitchen that the Ladies Circle used to put on many suppers to make money to help support the church. The men and boys of the congregation were busy again putting on wainscoting, ceiling and hardwood floors. A platform was at one end for the pulpit and also used by the Epworth League to put on plays. Brook Road Methodist had a church again.
During Rev. Joslyn's pastorate a number of new members were taken in and revival meetings were held.
Then in the fall of 1926, Rev. Joslyn was called elsewhere and Rev. Newton Barrett took his place serving for one year. At the close of his short service, the fall of 1927, Rev. Royal Synwolt came to use to continue to carry the gospel to sin sick souls. During his ministry of two years, a few more members were added to the church rolls. Then in the fall of 1928, Rev. A.J. Bishop came to us, serving until the fall of 1930. During Rev. Bishop's service several more members were added, thus making a total of 99 members at this time. Rev. H.W. Dack then began his work in October of 1930.
We feel that a great deal of our success is due to the faithful service which Mr. Clarence O'Hara rendered. He was elected Sunday School Superintendent when the church was organized and served until his death in 1937.
The basement of the church was used as a worship center until 1938 when under Rev. Glenn Miller, the top was built. Some years later the board and members decided to build on top of the foundation. The congregation was growing. The father of Lillian and Ellen Westland, Ole Person, was the contractor. Again the members helped with the work they could do. While this work was going on the church met in what was known as the Broom Factory. The large bell that hangs out in from of the education building came from the belfry of the original church. This is a little story that was told to me by my husband Donn. It seems that the foundation for the original church was built to the dimensions of Broadway Methodist. Broadway intended some day to build a better church and their building was to be moved to our location. Then the great depression of 1929 came along and plans were changed. Broadway could not build so we had to build our own building. Groundbreaking for our Educational Wing was held on Sunday May, 15 1955 during Rev. Clark J. Moushon's term as pastor.
In 1961, Mr. Troy Gorum came to the Brooke Road Church and rendered outstanding service as the director of music for our congregation. During his 13 years as the director of music, Mr. Gorum not only inspired us with his music, but helped us to grow in our understanding of better race relations. He served faithfully until his death on March 11, 1974 at the age of 85 years old.
Rev. Charles J. Meyer became our pastor in 1961. It was under his leadership that we were able to realize the fulfillment of our dream for a new sanctuary. The present sanctuary was consecrated in September of 1968.
In 1969, Rev. M. Gerald Robey came to Brooke Road as the 21st pastor. In May of 1972 we were able to purchase a new parsonage for our pastor and his family. The new parsonage is located at 4949 Radnor Drive.
We have been blessed with 63 wonderful years of Christian witness to the Brooke Road Community. Throughout our history, there have been times of struggle and hardship but the determination of this congregation has been strong and has brought us through these 63 years. We look forward to the years ahead and to the opportunities for continued witness in southeast Rockford.
In these 63 years we have been blessed with 23 pastors. Pastor John is the 23rd. Following is a list of ministers who have served Brooke Road United Methodist Church. How many do you remember? A great many of them were students at Garrett Biblical Seminary at Evanston. They came on Friday afternoon and went back to school on Sunday afternoon. That is the reason there were so many who served only a short time.