OUR CHURCH HERITAGE
Briarwood Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
As a church blessed by God’s grace and for His glory, under the leadership of the Drs. Frank M. Barker, Jr., Harry L. Reeder III, and Scott Redd Jr., Briarwood has been “the Flagship Church” of the PCA and is continuing to become an “Epicenter Church” for the Kingdom of God.
As a church blessed by God’s grace and for His glory, under the leadership of the Drs. Frank M. Barker, Jr., Harry L. Reeder III, and Scott Redd Jr., Briarwood has been “the Flagship Church” of the PCA and is continuing to become an “Epicenter Church” for the Kingdom of God.
Laying the Foundations
On Sunday morning, June 5, 1960, an enthusiastic group of 70 people gathered in an obscure shopping center in the southeast corner of Birmingham, Alabama. Their purpose, though not stated at the time, was to glorify God by worshipping Him and equipping Christians to reach Birmingham to reach the world for Christ. What an adventure lay ahead for that humble body of "living stones."
From that small band of worshippers, Briarwood Presbyterian Church emerged. During the summer of 1960 certain defining principles—the essential concepts that make Briarwood Briarwood— were articulated, and the foundation for the church was put in place. Officers were elected and the church was officially chartered on September 25.
Christ would be the Cornerstone, and the members desire would be to glorify God in all things. Evangelism, the authority of Scripture as expressed in The Westminster Confession of Faith, prayer, commitment to the Great Commission, and sacrificial giving made up the foundation stones of that "spiritual house."
From that small band of worshippers, Briarwood Presbyterian Church emerged. During the summer of 1960 certain defining principles—the essential concepts that make Briarwood Briarwood— were articulated, and the foundation for the church was put in place. Officers were elected and the church was officially chartered on September 25.
Christ would be the Cornerstone, and the members desire would be to glorify God in all things. Evangelism, the authority of Scripture as expressed in The Westminster Confession of Faith, prayer, commitment to the Great Commission, and sacrificial giving made up the foundation stones of that "spiritual house."
Foundation Stones:
Christ, the Cornerstone
All Things for God's Glory
Biblical Doctrine - Inerrancy of Scripture
Prayer
Commitment to the Great Commission
Sacrificial Giving
Christ, the Cornerstone
All Things for God's Glory
Biblical Doctrine - Inerrancy of Scripture
Prayer
Commitment to the Great Commission
Sacrificial Giving
First General Assembly of the PCA (1973)
Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Birmingham, Alabama, holds historical significance in the birth of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The denomination itself was born at a meeting held at Briarwood's original church building on December 4, 1973, with Briarwood serving as one of its charter congregations.
Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Birmingham, Alabama, holds historical significance in the birth of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The denomination itself was born at a meeting held at Briarwood's original church building on December 4, 1973, with Briarwood serving as one of its charter congregations.
"To God be the Glory" Celebrating Briarwood’s First 50 Years
Since 1960, Briarwood has celebrated God’s grace in Jesus Christ and has been His instrument to draw literally thousands in faith to Him. Follow the first 50 years of Briarwood’s history through testimonies and descriptions in this commemorative book divided into two sections, Foundation Stones and Building Stones. This is a wonderful way for later generations to see God’s hand in building this church from 70 folks in a Cahaba Heights storefront to what it is today! Hardback, 184 pages.
Since 1960, Briarwood has celebrated God’s grace in Jesus Christ and has been His instrument to draw literally thousands in faith to Him. Follow the first 50 years of Briarwood’s history through testimonies and descriptions in this commemorative book divided into two sections, Foundation Stones and Building Stones. This is a wonderful way for later generations to see God’s hand in building this church from 70 folks in a Cahaba Heights storefront to what it is today! Hardback, 184 pages.
History Room and Guest Reception
Immediately to your left when entering the main doors of our Worship Center, you’ll find the History Room and Guest Reception. Here in one room you can follow Briarwood’s history from its beginnings in 1960 up to today. Stop by our history room after our Sunday Morning Worship Services at 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. to meet with our pastor and learn more about the history of Briarwood!
Immediately to your left when entering the main doors of our Worship Center, you’ll find the History Room and Guest Reception. Here in one room you can follow Briarwood’s history from its beginnings in 1960 up to today. Stop by our history room after our Sunday Morning Worship Services at 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. to meet with our pastor and learn more about the history of Briarwood!
Church Milstone Timeline
1960's
Summer, 1960 – Frank M. Barker, Jr., agreed to help the Birmingham Presbytery start a church in Cahaba Heights.
June, 1960 – New church named "Briarwood" by Lynda Grier.
June 5, 1960 – Fist Sunday Service
June 1960 – Charter Members number 92 individuals
November 20, 1960 – First Officer Election
December 11, 1960 – New site approved on Highway 280. $25,000 paid for ten acres.
1961 – Fellowship Hall/SS combination approved
April 4, 1961 – Storefront lease renewed at $20 per month
1961 – Traditional architectural design loses to contemporary design on a 39/37 vote.
1961 – Approval to purchase manse
June 6, 1961 – Partial support of first missionary Winton Enloe.
Summer 1961 – Fist Vacation Bible School
July 3, 1961 – Three year building fund pledges initiated for the new 280 site.
October 3, 1961 – Session encourage pastor's fight against "Godless communism."
November 3, 1961 – Frank and Barbara Barker's wedding
November 8, 1961 – Church is incorporated, first annual budget adopted
1963 – New facility on highway 280 dedicated
April 21, 1963 – Annex is acquired for cost of moving
November 1964 – Campus Crusade conducts first Lay Institute for Evangelism
July 1965 – Fist Education Extension at cost of $108,000
June 1967 – Ken Wilson called as Assistant Pastor
1967 – $250,000 loan negotiated for new sanctuary
December 1968 – First service held in new sanctuary
June, 1960 – New church named "Briarwood" by Lynda Grier.
June 5, 1960 – Fist Sunday Service
June 1960 – Charter Members number 92 individuals
November 20, 1960 – First Officer Election
December 11, 1960 – New site approved on Highway 280. $25,000 paid for ten acres.
1961 – Fellowship Hall/SS combination approved
April 4, 1961 – Storefront lease renewed at $20 per month
1961 – Traditional architectural design loses to contemporary design on a 39/37 vote.
1961 – Approval to purchase manse
June 6, 1961 – Partial support of first missionary Winton Enloe.
Summer 1961 – Fist Vacation Bible School
July 3, 1961 – Three year building fund pledges initiated for the new 280 site.
October 3, 1961 – Session encourage pastor's fight against "Godless communism."
November 3, 1961 – Frank and Barbara Barker's wedding
November 8, 1961 – Church is incorporated, first annual budget adopted
1963 – New facility on highway 280 dedicated
April 21, 1963 – Annex is acquired for cost of moving
November 1964 – Campus Crusade conducts first Lay Institute for Evangelism
July 1965 – Fist Education Extension at cost of $108,000
June 1967 – Ken Wilson called as Assistant Pastor
1967 – $250,000 loan negotiated for new sanctuary
December 1968 – First service held in new sanctuary
1970's
April 1970 – Christian Day Camp and Christian Camp – Ken Wilson.
March 1971 – World Missions Pledge - $62,000.
April 1972 – Bob Welch was hired as Youth Director.
August 1972 – First pictorial directory.
May 1973 – Session and congregation unanimously votes to leave the PCUS.
May 1973 – John Glasser, Frank Barker, and Ken Wilson attend meeting in Atlanta with 24 other conservative churches.
December 1973 – Continuing Church General Assembly at Briarwood.
1974 – Suggested that new members take required Christian Education classes.
May 1974 – Tom Musselman was hired as Youth Director to Senior High.
August 1975 – Dr. Byrle Kynerd was hired as School Superintendent and begun in June, 1976.
August 1975 – Reverend Frank Morse was hired as Minister of Hospital Visitation.
August 1975 – Tom Musselman was hired as Youth Director to Senior High and Bob Welch to Junior High.
August 1975 Twelve people from Briarwood go into full-time Christian service.
September 1975 – Briarwood Christian School has 700 students.
September 1975 – Twelve people go into full-time Christian service from Briarwood.
October 1975 – Joe Scotch offers to give Briarwood approximately 20 acres on Hwy. 119.
November 1975 – Session proposes the purchase of up to 20 additional acres at $3,000 per acre.
January 1976 – Tom Caradine hired as Director of College/Career beginning June 1, 1976.
September 1976 – Phase 1 of Briarwood South approved. The construction cost was approximately $1,200,000.
October 1976 – A ground breaking ceremony for Briarwood South.
December 1976 – Membership as of December 31, 1976 is 1,900 members with 1,000 attending Sunday School.
January 1977 – Rick Mills replaces Tom Musselman as Youth Director.
January 1977 – There was a prayer goal for the Faith Promise Pledge of $300,000+.
February 1977 – Dr, Pete Doyle requested his release by the session as of March 13, 1977 to go to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn, Alabama.
March 1977 – James Brown is called to be the Director of Music to begin on July 5, 1977.
February 1978 – Session extends an overture to the General Assembly to take a position on the question of homosexuality.
September 1977 – The first worship service at Briarwood South to be September 18 at 10:00 a.m.
November 1977 – Chuck Singletary accepts the call to be the Director of Discipleship.
January 1978 – Total cost for Briarwood South was $1,555,422.
February 1978 – Prayer goals: 1. Budget $1,500,000; 2. Extension Seminary enrollment of 75; 3. 36 Briarwood members into full-time service; 4. Have 39 Bible studies.
April 1978 – Session recommends that Reverend Roland Travis be called as Associate Pastor.
April 1978 – 48% of resident adult members as of April 5, 1978 were involved in the faith promise for World Missions.
June 15, 1978 – Curtis Tanner was hired for Campus Outreach.
March 1971 – World Missions Pledge - $62,000.
April 1972 – Bob Welch was hired as Youth Director.
August 1972 – First pictorial directory.
May 1973 – Session and congregation unanimously votes to leave the PCUS.
May 1973 – John Glasser, Frank Barker, and Ken Wilson attend meeting in Atlanta with 24 other conservative churches.
December 1973 – Continuing Church General Assembly at Briarwood.
1974 – Suggested that new members take required Christian Education classes.
May 1974 – Tom Musselman was hired as Youth Director to Senior High.
August 1975 – Dr. Byrle Kynerd was hired as School Superintendent and begun in June, 1976.
August 1975 – Reverend Frank Morse was hired as Minister of Hospital Visitation.
August 1975 – Tom Musselman was hired as Youth Director to Senior High and Bob Welch to Junior High.
August 1975 Twelve people from Briarwood go into full-time Christian service.
September 1975 – Briarwood Christian School has 700 students.
September 1975 – Twelve people go into full-time Christian service from Briarwood.
October 1975 – Joe Scotch offers to give Briarwood approximately 20 acres on Hwy. 119.
November 1975 – Session proposes the purchase of up to 20 additional acres at $3,000 per acre.
January 1976 – Tom Caradine hired as Director of College/Career beginning June 1, 1976.
September 1976 – Phase 1 of Briarwood South approved. The construction cost was approximately $1,200,000.
October 1976 – A ground breaking ceremony for Briarwood South.
December 1976 – Membership as of December 31, 1976 is 1,900 members with 1,000 attending Sunday School.
January 1977 – Rick Mills replaces Tom Musselman as Youth Director.
January 1977 – There was a prayer goal for the Faith Promise Pledge of $300,000+.
February 1977 – Dr, Pete Doyle requested his release by the session as of March 13, 1977 to go to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn, Alabama.
March 1977 – James Brown is called to be the Director of Music to begin on July 5, 1977.
February 1978 – Session extends an overture to the General Assembly to take a position on the question of homosexuality.
September 1977 – The first worship service at Briarwood South to be September 18 at 10:00 a.m.
November 1977 – Chuck Singletary accepts the call to be the Director of Discipleship.
January 1978 – Total cost for Briarwood South was $1,555,422.
February 1978 – Prayer goals: 1. Budget $1,500,000; 2. Extension Seminary enrollment of 75; 3. 36 Briarwood members into full-time service; 4. Have 39 Bible studies.
April 1978 – Session recommends that Reverend Roland Travis be called as Associate Pastor.
April 1978 – 48% of resident adult members as of April 5, 1978 were involved in the faith promise for World Missions.
June 15, 1978 – Curtis Tanner was hired for Campus Outreach.
1980's
1980 – Every Member Canvas raises $1,736,900.
1981 – Additional classrooms completed at Briarwood South.
1981 – Three services held on Sunday.
1982 – Membership reached 2,553.
1982 – Committee recommendation to cooperate with the MNA to establish a flagship church in Charlotte, Noth Carolina.
1983 – Reverend Harry Reeder officially called to the Charlotte, North Carolina church.
1984 – Altadena Road property purchased for $3,150,000.
1985 – Briarwood Vision presented to the congregation.
1985 – 25th Anniversary.
1985 – World Missions Ministry: 236 Missionary Units, 51 Missionary Boards, 61 Countries.
1985 – Sav-A-Life started by Wales Goebel.
1987 – Last service at Hwy. 280 location – December 27.
1988 – Move into new location on Altadena Road.
1988 – Southeastern Bible College buys Hwy. 280 location.
1989 – New shuttle bus ministry to the international students at UAB instituted.
1989 – Briarwood South location approved to employ an interim minister.
1981 – Additional classrooms completed at Briarwood South.
1981 – Three services held on Sunday.
1982 – Membership reached 2,553.
1982 – Committee recommendation to cooperate with the MNA to establish a flagship church in Charlotte, Noth Carolina.
1983 – Reverend Harry Reeder officially called to the Charlotte, North Carolina church.
1984 – Altadena Road property purchased for $3,150,000.
1985 – Briarwood Vision presented to the congregation.
1985 – 25th Anniversary.
1985 – World Missions Ministry: 236 Missionary Units, 51 Missionary Boards, 61 Countries.
1985 – Sav-A-Life started by Wales Goebel.
1987 – Last service at Hwy. 280 location – December 27.
1988 – Move into new location on Altadena Road.
1988 – Southeastern Bible College buys Hwy. 280 location.
1989 – New shuttle bus ministry to the international students at UAB instituted.
1989 – Briarwood South location approved to employ an interim minister.
1990's
1990 – Sunday School growth of 35%, increase of 65% in attendance since 1988.
1990 – Briarwood Professional Ministries approved: YBL and Christian Medical Ministries become ministerial level departments.
1991 – All Briarwood Night Wednesday night dinner, study, and choir.
1992 – Session approves Briarwood South being established.
1993 – Reverend Clay Campbell hired as Music Director.
1993 – Drive-thru Nativity begins.
1995 – Church’s 35th Anniversary.
1995 – Membership reached 4,051.
1995 – Sunday School enrollment at 3,830.
1997 – Church Administrator, Tom Leopard retired. Succeeded by Tom Tarris.
1998 – 1,050 registered for Vacation Bible School and 700 for Camp Briarwood.
1998 – Building projects: Educational Building and Fellowship Hall addition.
1998 – WLJR Radio Station began.
1999 – Dr. Harry Reeder called, effective September 30, 1999.
1999 – Dr. Barker to Pastor Emeritus status as of January 1, 2000.
1990 – Briarwood Professional Ministries approved: YBL and Christian Medical Ministries become ministerial level departments.
1991 – All Briarwood Night Wednesday night dinner, study, and choir.
1992 – Session approves Briarwood South being established.
1993 – Reverend Clay Campbell hired as Music Director.
1993 – Drive-thru Nativity begins.
1995 – Church’s 35th Anniversary.
1995 – Membership reached 4,051.
1995 – Sunday School enrollment at 3,830.
1997 – Church Administrator, Tom Leopard retired. Succeeded by Tom Tarris.
1998 – 1,050 registered for Vacation Bible School and 700 for Camp Briarwood.
1998 – Building projects: Educational Building and Fellowship Hall addition.
1998 – WLJR Radio Station began.
1999 – Dr. Harry Reeder called, effective September 30, 1999.
1999 – Dr. Barker to Pastor Emeritus status as of January 1, 2000.
2000's
2000 – Church Revitalization Conference.
2000 – International class Bible study.
2000 – Korean class Bible study.
2000 – Hispanic class Bible study.
2001 – Total Communicant members 4,196 with 1,460 total family units.
2001 – Christian school enrollment: 1,702.
2001 – Vacation Bible School with more than 1,000 participants.
2001 – Bruce Stallings was hired.
2002 – Korean Church.
2002 – Faith Promise exceeded $2,000,000.
2002 – New Fine Arts Auditorium at BCS named the ‘Barbara B. Barker Fine Arts Auditorium.’
2002 – 30th Anniversary of Birmingham Theological Seminary.
2003 – 2002 General Fund receipts - $9,076,694; Faith Promise - $1,846,667.
2003 – First Sportsman Outreach Banquet scheduled for February 20, 2004 with John Croyle as the speaker.
2003 – Over 12,000 heard the Gospel through our Christmas events.
2004 – BCS had a record number of National Merit Scholars and ranked very high in the state.
2005 – Briarwood Ballet Ministry marks 25th year.
2006 – Dr. Barrett L. Mosbacker became Superintendent of BCS.
2006 – Briarwood Church named as 35th in the 2006 survey of America’s 50 Most Influential Churches.
2009 – Bridge to Life – disciple making ministry; focus on intentional lifestyle evangelism.
2009 – Current Communicant Members – 4,256.
2009 – PCA, founded in 1973, had 340,853 members in 1,693 churches at the end of 2008.
2000 – International class Bible study.
2000 – Korean class Bible study.
2000 – Hispanic class Bible study.
2001 – Total Communicant members 4,196 with 1,460 total family units.
2001 – Christian school enrollment: 1,702.
2001 – Vacation Bible School with more than 1,000 participants.
2001 – Bruce Stallings was hired.
2002 – Korean Church.
2002 – Faith Promise exceeded $2,000,000.
2002 – New Fine Arts Auditorium at BCS named the ‘Barbara B. Barker Fine Arts Auditorium.’
2002 – 30th Anniversary of Birmingham Theological Seminary.
2003 – 2002 General Fund receipts - $9,076,694; Faith Promise - $1,846,667.
2003 – First Sportsman Outreach Banquet scheduled for February 20, 2004 with John Croyle as the speaker.
2003 – Over 12,000 heard the Gospel through our Christmas events.
2004 – BCS had a record number of National Merit Scholars and ranked very high in the state.
2005 – Briarwood Ballet Ministry marks 25th year.
2006 – Dr. Barrett L. Mosbacker became Superintendent of BCS.
2006 – Briarwood Church named as 35th in the 2006 survey of America’s 50 Most Influential Churches.
2009 – Bridge to Life – disciple making ministry; focus on intentional lifestyle evangelism.
2009 – Current Communicant Members – 4,256.
2009 – PCA, founded in 1973, had 340,853 members in 1,693 churches at the end of 2008.
2010's
2010 – Year of Jubilee.