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Wesleyan Church HistoryThe Wesleyan movement began during a spiritual revival in the eighteenth century in England. John Wesley (1703-1791), an ordained minister of the Anglican Church, sought for inward holiness of heart. In May, 1783 the Oxford graduate "felt his heart strangely warmed" by the assurance of personal salvation. He then discovered that a holy heart, as well as salvation, was received by faith. Wesley emphasized four great truths found in the the Holy Scriptures:
Wesley emphasized Christian perfection and practical holiness. His contribution to this doctrine, along with that of Jacobus Arminuis, has come to be called Wesleyan/Arminianism. The great revivals that accompanied Wesley’s preaching throughout the British Isles gave rise to class meetings and later to church societies. The movement, known as Methodism, developed into a denomination, first in the United States (1784), then in England (1795). Early American Methodism was faithful to Wesley’s emphasis in doctrine and Christian conduct. But when Methodism took root in the south, many of her members became slave holders. In 1843, a group of Methodists opposed to slavery organized the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America, an association of annual conferences, at a convention in Utica, New York. In the last half of the 19th century a revival of scriptural holiness swept across the various denominations of America. The awakening produced many non-denominational and interdenominational holiness unions, associations, and independent churches. Toward the close of the 19th century many of like faith began to draw together in the unity of the Spirit. This awakening re-channeled the energies of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection from social and political reform to holiness evangelism. This awakening also brought into being the International Holiness Union and Prayer League in 1897. The Union gradually developed into a church organization in order to provide church homes for its converts and to conserve its work. In October 1922 the name, Pilgrim Holiness Church, was adopted. In 1947, the name "The Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America" was changed to "The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America". Merger between the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America was proposed at various times. Then on June 26, 1968, at a merging general Conference in Anderson, Indiana, the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America were united to form the Wesleyan Church.
Our History and Heritage
Rev. Edward Boone felt the call from God to start a work in Grand Rapids, MI in July of 1928, having moved his family, he started by having prayer meetings in the home. After a short while, the building formerly occupied by the Norwegian Lutheran church on Front Avenue was rented, and it was at this place our church first became known as the West Side Mission. The Boone family was successful in getting time on the radio and soon space again became a challenge, and it was necessary to find larger quarters. Approximately two years after, the congregation moved to the old church building on the corner of Michigan and Ionia. It was at this time our church became knows as the first Pilgrim Tabernacle. In November of 1937, Rev. Boone felt God would have him start another work in Des Moines, Iowa. After his resignation, Rev. C. V. Holstein of Huntington, West Virginia, was given a call which was accepted and he moved his family to Grand Rapids. Approximately six months later on a Saturday morning the church caught on fire and burned to the ground. We did have service the next day, however, at the West Side Ladies Literary Club. From there we worshiped at the "All Souls Church" on Sheldon and Oakes Street, then on the third floor in Stryker Hall until the fall of 1940. At that time, God literally gave us the former Second Church of Christ Scientist building at Fountain and Bostwick. In 1945, Mrs. Holstein passed away and Rev. Holstein resigned and moved to Owosso. Rev. A.S. Joppie, a talented orator, was called and the church enjoyed seven years under his leadership. A bus ministry was initiated during this time. In 1952, Rev. C.R. Hendrick came and became our pastor until 1955. During his ministry, the church was completely redecorated and new partitions were installed in the balcony and basement to facilitate more Sunday School rooms. Negotiations were also started for the sale of the church to the city for library expansion. Rev. J.H. Kotesky was called and it was under his leadership that the downtown property was sold to the city. We then relocated at our present site and our name became Berkley Hills Pilgrim Church. Rev. C.L. Walker became our pastor in 1963. During his ministry our activities building was remodeled, making it useful for Sunday school classrooms and activities. Rev. Ronald Diehl came to us as pastor in 1965 and under his leadership our Sunday school had thirty-three months of continuous growth. During his pastorate, our denomination merged with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and consequently our name was changed to the Berkley Hills Wesleyan Church. After Rev. Diehl resigned in 1971, Rev. J.B. Stutts was called. Dhuring his brief pastorate, our church was freed of its indebtedness. In 1972, Rev. Doyle Brannon accepted our call and brought healing to the church following a difficult period. During his pastorate we purchased a new parsonage and a very desirable five-acre piece of property on Leonard Street at I-96 for a future site for our church. The church sanctuary was newly carpeted and pews were installed. During Rev. Brannon’s ministry many young people answered a call to full time Christian service. Rev. Wayne Lyon began a fruitful pastorate in 1979. During the next eight years the average worship attendance increased from 136 to 234. The five acres on Leonard Street being too small for future expansion were sold and 20 acres were added to the site on Ball Avenue. The church opened its new fellowship hall during the summer of 1983. Rev. William Kinnan Jr. Was called as pastor in 1986. In July of 1988, the church purchased the home at 1684 Ball, which is now used as a staff parsonage. Space in the sanctuary was once again a problem and the church began looking to future solutions and advancement. In 1989 the church constituency pledged over $300,000 for a new church building, to be given over a three-year period. On September 30, 1990, ground was broken and construction began. The church enjoyed its first Sunday in the new sanctuary on June 23, 1991 In 1994, Pastor Chris Hinterman came to Berkley Hills. He served at Berkley until May 2006, being the longest serving pastor in Berkley’s history. In June of 2006, Pastor Kyle Brown became the pastor at Berkley Hills and serves as the present Pastor. Our Pastors:
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1670 Ball Ave NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49505 | 616.364.9505