Antioch Church Of Christ
979 Herkimer St
Brooklyn, NY 11233

History
For More Than A Century… The Antioch congregation traces its roots back to the late 1800’s when an evangelist from Lavergne travelled from house to house preaching. The first meeting house, located northeast of the railroad crossing in Antioch, was acquired in 1892. In 1925 the congregation built the frame building still standing at 2343 Antioch Pike, where it now houses a salvage store. Plagued by flooding at this location, the membership purchased the present land site, previously the home of the Antioch Grammar School. In 1960 Antioch’s membership of about 150 moved into a new building. When more space to accommodate growth was needed, members used picks and shovels and hand dug a basement under the auditorium. Today that basement, referred to as “L. A.” or “Lower Antioch,” has been remodeled into an area for our teens. Walt Leaver came to Antioch on a full-time basis in 1976. The congregation soon experienced significant growth and Betty Bailey, our first secretary, was hired in 1977.The 1980’s were a period of rapid growth for the Antioch community and the Church. 1980 brought Bob Neil to Antioch as an associate minister. In 1983 Harold Kieffer and Wayne Pyle joined Junior Grimes and Bill Reeves to serve as elders. By that time there were three worship services and two Sunday Schools each Sunday morning, as well as two Sunday evening worship services. In August of 1984 our present auditorium, capable of seating 700, and the fellowship hall underneath it were completed. During 1985 the old auditorium was remodeled into classrooms. In 1992 Antioch celebrated its centennial anniversary and completed construction of a new educational wing. As God continued to bless Antioch with increasing numbers, our staff grew accordingly. In 1986 Weldon Rickman, James Craighead, and a youth minister were added to the staff. In 1988 Stan Birdwell and Neil Chaflin became elders. God provided capable people like Jim Taylor, David Vaughn, and Linda Eller to fill staff positions as needs arose. In 1996 Ernie Scarbrough joined the staff as a full-time elder, shortly after he, Richard McClanahan, and Ron Cunningham were selected to serve as elders. After 21 years Walt announced his resignation effective in August of 1997 and, after a prayerfully search, Mike Root became the pulpit minister. Mike served the Antioch congregation from March 1998 through December 2004. During that time we adopted a mission statement, added additional elders, and reorganized our ministries and the deacons assigned to them, and added associate ministers and ministries (Greg Adams - Children’s Ministry, Matt Owensby - Student Ministry, Chuck Chisam - Antioch Bible Camp, Steve Diggs - No Debt, No Sweat, and David Vaughn - Church Life Ministry.) Assisting in secretarial duties fell to a capable crew of part time assistants: Karen Nixon, Bonnie Diggs, Sue Thweatt, Mindy Raby, and Peggy Grimes. Other staff members were Jim Taylor, James Craighead, Weldon Rickman, and Sheryl Friend. 2003 brought a search for a new youth minster which ended with the arrival of Andrew Sowards in July, 2003. Barbara Biffle added her talents to the secretarial staff beginning in December of 2004.

2005 was a year of transitions as we said good bye to Mike Root and began an interim ministry with Jim Woodroof. We also saw the retirement of three elders preceeded by the addition of four new elders. Michael Whittington joined the staff as senior minister in August, 2005.

In 2006, Marcus Miller (Worship), Randy Patterson (Outreach), and Lisa Steele (Director of English Classes) were added to the staff.

Our current elders are: Stephen Bridges, Ron Cunningham, Junior Grimes, Wayne Holt, Tom Irons, Kent Johnson, Wayne Russell, Jim Thweatt, and Todd Wigginton.

The Antioch Church of Christ continues to grow physically and spiritually as new members join us as we continue “Loving God…Loving Others.” To God be the Glory.