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The First Christian Church of Brookfield, Missouri, was organized by A. O. Myhr, State Bible School evangelist in 1886. The church of eleven members met in Ziehr Hall. The original members were: H. B. Post and wife, W.H. Tufts and wife, Mrs. America Remington, Miss Emma Remington, Mrs. Snoddy, Berry Senior and wife, and G. M. Wilson and wife.
The First Church building was dedicated on October 30, 1887 on South Main Street. It was a one room building 31’ x 50’. On November 1, 1887, the formal organization of the congregation took place. Brother Charles E. Colston was engaged as the first pastor beginning in April, 1888. Ministers to follow were Reverend Blalock and Brother Alex Elliott.
In 1965 the congregation began the process of building new facilities at 1416 North Main. The new building was dedicated on May 1, 1966. The parking lot was paved and air conditioning added in the summer of 1975.
Sanctuary Window Themes
The serenity and beauty of the sanctuary is enhanced by the presence of eight stained glass windows. These windows were initially the generous gift of Mrs. Margaret Lowe Smyth. The two great windows at the west end of the sanctuary are dedicated to Mrs. Smyth and her family. They were designed by Ronald Dixon of Kansas City.
Other stained glass windows are in memory of Commander Phillip T. Johnson, USN, Mr. and Mrs. Nunan Turner, Lorin Wood Price and Chrystal Patton Price.
The windows of the south wall depict the prophecy and the events leading to the Birth of Christ. Starting at the east end of the wall we see the emblems of the Chi Rho and Fleur de Lis, symbolizing the birth. In the next window, west, we see the staffs of the Three Kings. Next is the window depicting the gifts brought to the Christ Child, gold, myrrh, and frankincense. The large window over the south choir loft indicates the Birth of Christ with angels hovering over the place made Holy. The banner woven into the picture proclaims “For Unto You is Born This Day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord”.
Directly across on the north wall the large window depicts the Ascension of Christ. This window contains the lamb of God holding the banner of Victory. The white banner represents the body of Christ, which is attached to the Crucifixion staff, representing the Cross on which the Lamb of God died and through which the risen Christ saves the world. The verse on the banner (John 20:17) says, “I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and to your God.” The next smaller window to the east contains the open Bible representing the Word of God. The next window to the east shows the Dove of the Holy Spirit and the final window on the northeast corner of the Sanctuary shows the importance of Communion in the life of the Church through the use of the symbols of the grapes and the wheat.
The windows remind us of Old Testament prophecy, the coming of Christ and the sacrifice and suffering endured for the love of all while He was on earth.
A view of the front of our building
The South side of the sanctuary
The Prayer Garden located in the quiet section of the property
Our Good Shepard stained glass window saved from the original
building on South Main
The Parsonage
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