Just northwest of Frederick, where the Catoctin foothills roll toward the village of Yellow Springs, Brook Hill United Methodist Church gathers each Sunday morning at 8946 Indian Springs Road. The congregation traces its beginning to a prayer service held under a chestnut tree in August 1850, and more than 170 years later it continues to anchor a community of faith that stretches from nursery-aged children to longtime members who remember when the church moved to its current site in 1962. Today Brook Hill is best known for offering two very different Sunday services under one roof - an informal contemporary gathering at nine and a traditional Wesleyan service at eleven - along with a Stephen Ministry, an Upward Basketball league, a Weekday Preschool and a deep roster of small groups and outreach partnerships that reach into Frederick and around the world.
From Yellow Springs Hill to Indian Springs Road
Brook Hill's story begins in the village of Yellow Springs, named for a yellow deposit that collected on the water of several springs there. According to local legend, a Native American tribe called the water "Montonqua," meaning healing waters. In 1850 a Methodist circuit rider named Rev. George G. Brooke, whose circuit ran from Jefferson to Emmitsburg, learned that there was no place to hold worship services in the area. With permission from several prominent residents, he gathered people for the first prayer service under a large chestnut tree at the crossroads near the site of the toll gate on the Hamburg Pike, at what is now the junction of Yellow Springs and Bethel Roads. The neighborhood was called "Sistersville" because four widowed sisters lived nearby, and both white and African American worshipers attended.
After that service, leading citizens met at the carpenter shop of David S. Angleberger and made plans to build a structure that would serve both as a church and a school, since none existed in the area. Members of five denominations - Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, and United Brethren - pooled resources and erected a plain 22-foot by 30-foot log building on the hill. Five trustees were chosen: Charles H. Burkhart, Michael Zimmerman, Elias Grove, William F. Preston, and Cornelius Staley. Grove donated the land, and the rest contributed money, labor or materials. The building was dedicated on June 15, 1851, with Revs. James Brad, M. L. Shuford, and John Richards participating.
For a number of years Reformed and Lutheran ministers of Bethel Charge also preached there. The little church hosted revivals and drew well-known preachers of the day, including Rev. J. W. Gangley and the controversial theologian Rev. Moncure D. Conway. By 1883 a new brick schoolhouse next door relieved the chapel of its teaching duties, but as larger churches like Bethel, Zion, Pleasant Hill, and Rocky Springs grew in the surrounding area, Brook Hill's membership dwindled. On Sunday, June 8, 1884, the remaining Brooke Hill congregation walked down the hill and up to the newly finished Pleasant Hill Church less than two miles away, carrying their Bibles and spelling books with them.
The old building sat neglected for fifteen years before former members reorganized the church in 1897. After renovation it was rededicated on Sunday, May 7, 1899, as Brook Hill Union Chapel - the "e" in Brooke having been dropped at some earlier point. From 1899 onward the building was used primarily by Methodists, who ran a Sunday School, a women's organization, and maintained the grounds. In 1916 the chapel was lengthened with a vestibule and steeple, and a bell was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Luther Beale. An addition in 1927 created an L-shape with a Sunday School wing, and on February 11, 1928, Rev. George Sanner officially dedicated the building as "Brook Hill M. E. Church" within the Methodist Episcopal Denomination.
By the 1950s the congregation had outgrown the original structure. In April 1960 the trustees purchased 5.2 acres at the intersection of Indian Springs and Hamburg Roads, a quarter mile northwest of the original site. Architects and builders from Frederick and Philadelphia designed the new building, and a cornerstone ceremony on July 15, 1962, placed a Bible, a Hymnal, Communion wine and wafers, the 1960 Methodist Book of Discipline, a piece of wood from the old church and other mementos inside. That September about 160 members moved into the new sanctuary. In 1984 the congregation broke ground again for a 120-foot by 54-foot addition that added a 400-seat sanctuary, a narthex, a parlor, offices, classrooms, restrooms and an elevator - all accessible for those with disabilities. The cross and flame at the front of the sanctuary has become the visual centerpiece, with district superintendent Dr. Warren Ebinger noting at the consecration that it speaks to Yellow Springs, Frederick, the Baltimore Conference, and the world that Brook Hill is alive and growing to show forth Christ.
Two Sunday Services, One Congregation
Brook Hill worshipes together in person twice each Sunday morning, with both services live-streamed and archived on the church's YouTube channel. At 9 a.m. the Informal Worship Service fills the sanctuary with contemporary Christian music led by the Praise Team, with lyrics and multimedia projected on a large screen. Pastors share relevant, Bible-based messages, and prayer is woven throughout. Nursery care and children's activities for infants through fourth grade are available on the lower level during the service.
At 11 a.m. the Traditional Worship Service celebrates Brook Hill's Wesleyan heritage with hymns, prayers, scripture readings and a sermon, supported by organ, piano, the Chancel Choir and the Brook Hill Orchestra. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at both services. The church practices open communion, welcoming all who love Christ, repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Nursery care is also available during this hour.
Baptism is offered by sprinkling, immersion or pouring, and persons of any age may be baptized, though the sacrament is received only once.
God Talk in the Middle Hour
Between the two services, from 10:15 to about 11 a.m., adults are invited to God Talk in the Fellowship Hall. Each week the pastors lead a discussion focused on a real-life challenge and how faith can help shape a response. Refreshments are served, and the conversation is open to anyone, whether they attend the early or late service, both, or just stop in for the conversation.
Children, Nursery and Sunday School
Children are welcomed as full participants in worship. The church teaches that "God put the wiggle in children," and encourages families to sit toward the front, explain the parts of the service, sing along, and feel free to step out and back in if a little one needs a break.
The Nursery serves infants through four-year-olds during both worship services, opening from 8:45 to 10 a.m. and again from 10:45 a.m. to noon. It closes from 10 to 10:45 a.m. for cleaning between sessions. Children enjoy play, object lessons, games, songs and a snack of juice or water, and parents may bring special diet items as needed. Beepers are available on request. Children are checked in and out with staff, and new families fill out a registration form available at the welcome table. Melissa Murphy supervises the nursery.
Children in kindergarten through fifth grade attend Sunday school from 10 to 11 a.m., using a curriculum that walks through the Bible every three years. The kindergarten through second grade class introduces the books of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, scripture memorization, Bible stories, the fundamentals of communion and lots of play, games and even science experiments. The third through fifth grade class teaches the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Apostles' Creed and the meaning of communion, with hands-on lessons geared toward preparing the children for confirmation. Children are encouraged to participate in communion on the first Sunday of each month. Godly Play, an informal hands-on lesson and activity time with a light snack, runs from 9:20 to 10 a.m. and again from 11:20 a.m. to noon after the children's message in each service. Shelly Evans directs the children's ministry.
Other family events through the year include a Fall Festival, Thanksgiving potluck, Christmas Eve family service, children's Christmas and Valentine's parties, an Easter event, Mother's Day food truck event, movie nights, open gym night, Parents' Night Out and Vacation Bible School, which welcomes children age 3 (potty trained) through fifth grade each summer, Monday through Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Middle and high school youth who have completed fifth grade may volunteer, and all adult volunteers are background-checked and Safe Sanctuary trained.
Youth Ministry on Sundays and Weeknights
Sixth through twelfth graders are invited to Sunday school at 10 a.m., where they discuss, debate and examine faith as it relates to current events, and study books of the Bible throughout the year. Confirmation class invites middle and high school youth to examine their faith and claim the name "Methodist" as their own; participants are confirmed on Pentecost Sunday.
Brook Hill Youth Ministry meets Sunday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Youth Activities Center. Each gathering includes a study and devotional, an activity such as a team-building game, and time to build community. Youth who participate in any activity must have an emergency form on file with the church, and scholarships are available to help with the cost of events. Kathleen Rogers is the Director of Youth Ministry.
An Active Music Ministry
Music has long been a hallmark of Brook Hill. The Praise Band rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. and leads contemporary Christian music at the 9 a.m. service. The Chancel Choir, about 30 active singers ranging from high school age through senior adults, rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. between mid-August and mid-June, and sings at the 11 a.m. service as well as special services throughout the year. The Brook Hill Orchestra, an ensemble of string, wind and brass players from age 12 through senior adults, rehearses Sunday mornings at 10:20 a.m. and accompanies hymns at most 11 a.m. services. The church also has a drama ministry that performs skits during worship on a periodic basis.
Adult Classes, Bible Studies and Fellowship
Adult education at Brook Hill extends well beyond Sunday morning. CrossTalk meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in Classroom B as a small group of mostly empty-nesters that studies Bible-based topics. The Seekers Class meets at the same time in Classroom C and works through the Bible with adults of all ages. What's Up, the Adult Special Needs Sunday School, meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room around John 13:31-35, "that you love one another; as I have loved you." Thirsty Mary's gathers Thursdays at 10 a.m. in Classroom C as an open Bible study for women of all ages. The Men's Online Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Microsoft Teams, using books of the Bible and works by popular Christian authors. Donuts With God gathers Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at the Dunkin Donuts on Rosemont Avenue for casual fellowship among Christian men, and the Wise Owls, members age 55 and better, share lunch at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at changing locations. Annual events include a veterans breakfast and a women's retreat.
The whole congregation is invited to a daily Scripture challenge, with a one-page monthly calendar in PDF form listing a verse for each day to read, journal and pray through. Pastor Dana Werts also leads a church-wide online Bible study on the YouVersion app, where members can follow along with the current sermon series.
Stephen Ministry: Walking Beside You in Hard Times
Stephen Ministry at Brook Hill is one of the church's most distinctive care ministries. Stephen Ministers are congregation members who have completed 50 hours of training to provide one-to-one, confidential Christian care to people going through grief, divorce, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disability, loneliness, spiritual crisis or other challenges. A Stephen Minister typically meets with one care receiver at a time for about an hour each week; women care for women and men care for men. The program began nationally in 1975 through Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, and more than 1.5 million people have been accompanied by a Stephen Minister since then. At Brook Hill the Stephen Leaders include Pastor Kathy Altman, Randy Golay, Holly Yokum, Ken Michaels and Ron Lindsay. There is no charge for the ministry, which serves adults 18 and older, including nonmembers.
A Wide Net of Caring Ministries
Around Stephen Ministry, Brook Hill weaves a broad Care Network of lay-led ministries. Bereavement Mailings send a four-part booklet series to grieving families through the first year. Card Support sends weekly and monthly notes on behalf of the church to homebound members, those celebrating birthdays over 80 and people on the prayer list. Crisis Support provides meals, transportation and visits to families in illness or recovery. Funeral Support coordinates funeral receptions. The Heart to Heart Visitation Support Team reaches out monthly to homebound and nursing home members through calls, visits and mail. HomeTouch Mailings send a weekly note to members who are homebound. The pastors, together with lay visitors, provide Hospital Visitation.
The Prayer Network includes Healing Prayer (prayer request cards from the pews and email to brookhillprayers@bhumc.org), an Intercessory Prayer Team that relays urgent needs through Pastor Dana to a First Responders Prayer Team for immediate prayer, a Prayer Chain Email Group, weekly Prayer Lists posted on the BH Connect wall, and a Prayer Shawl Team that hand-stitches and presents prayer shawls to those who request them.
Several smaller support groups meet through the month. Building Bridges gathers on the fourth Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. for honest dialogue about social inequities and how God's love guides relationships. Brook Hill Women Cancer Survivors meets on the fourth Monday at 7 p.m. in Classroom B for women currently battling cancer or in remission. Families with Mental Health Concerns Support Group meets on the third Monday at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room, offering confidential support and guest speakers from local mental health organizations. Parent Connect meets on the third Friday at 6 p.m. for parents who want to build a village around raising their children.
Special Needs Ministry and Accessibility
Brook Hill is committed to welcoming persons of all abilities. The accessible entrance is next to the Life Activity Center, with handicap and van-accessible parking adjacent. Inside, large print hymnals and hearing assistive devices are available at the back of the sanctuary, and an elevator (key available from an usher) provides access to the lower level. The Friendship Club, formed in March 2013, meets periodically for persons of all abilities and their families, with most meetings including a Bible story, prayer and an activity. The Adult Special Needs Sunday School gathers at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room for a lesson and discussion. The church encourages anyone needing additional accommodations to contact the office.
Upward Basketball
Upward Sports Basketball is a recreational league for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, focused on developing self-esteem, respect for authority, sportsmanship, character and basketball skills. Practices begin in early December and run one day a week for an hour; games are held on Saturdays in January and February, all at the Brook Hill UMC Life Activities Center. The league uses a distinctive substitution system that gives every child equal playing time, a draft system that balances talent across teams, and supportive coaches who draw out the winner in every child.
Outreach Close to Home and Far Away
Brook Hill runs a year-round calendar of outreach projects that touches Frederick, the region and the world. Local initiatives include bedding collections for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Bikes for the World bicycle collection drives, spring and fall food drives for the Frederick Food Bank, a Food 4 Kids weekend meal program for students at Yellow Springs Elementary School, ongoing donations to the Frederick Food Bank, ministry to persons who are homeless, partnership with the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, a coat drive in October for locals and refugees, the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringing campaign and an Alternative Christmas Giving Giving Tree in November and December. The church also hosts a yard sale and used book sale each August and a craft day in September.
Regionally and nationally, Brook Hill sends Volunteers in Mission work teams on two trips a year, in spring and fall, and the youth organize service projects of their own. Internationally, the congregation provides financial support for the Mabe family in Nicaragua, who serve through Opportunity Missions Ministry for Transformation, and supports Bikes for the World, which processes and ships bicycles worldwide.
Missionaries the Church Sends
The church maintains close ties with several missionary families. Ryan and Lena Mabe serve in Nicaragua with their children, helping with children's kitchens, Vacation Bible School, evangelism and a special needs facility that provides children and families with the therapies they need. Kyle and Corrie Werts, son of Lead Pastor Dana and Randy Werts, have served for many years with YWAM and its Fire and Fragrance community; recent changes led the Fire and Fragrance leadership to step out as its own organization and plant a new base in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a hub for community, training and global sending. Andy and Melissa Cimbala serve with DiscipleMakers at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, discipling students through Bible studies and outreach. Luke and Alyssa Miller serve in Thailand, focusing on youth ministry, mentoring and community projects.
The Endowment Fund: A Quiet Legacy
In 1999, Brook Hill received a gift of nearly $250,000 from longtime member Ms. Tommie Lee Barnes, who left in her will an endowment whose principal would remain invested while the income would support "church outreach purposes, including local, home and foreign missions, and assistance to persons in the community who are in need." Her gift also paid off the church's mortgage. The Endowment Committee, a subcommittee of the Finance Committee, reviews applications each year and, when performance allows, distributes grants while preserving the principal. In one recent year the fund distributed $19,300 to fourteen organizations and individuals, including the church's own Weekday Preschool, Upward Sports, Volunteers in Mission, Youth ASP, Frederick's 24-7 prayer room, the Mabe family missions, DiscipleMakers, missionaries in Thailand, Overland Missions in Zambia, Youth With a Mission, BACA International, Maryland Cool Kids, Sebastian Guizado Rivera and The Angel Fund.
Financial Assistance and the Gary Hicks Fund
For neighbors who need a hand, Brook Hill offers limited financial assistance through the Gary Hicks Fund, named for Pastor Gary Hicks, who served as the church's Outreach Pastor for many years and had a deep passion for the homeless and overlooked. Applicants complete an online form, provide a copy of an overdue bill, and the church pays qualifying vendors directly by check. Assistance is not available for overdue rent or security deposits, and the church directs applicants to a list of partner agencies that include the Advocates for Homeless Families, Heartly House, Beyond Shelter Frederick, Seton Center, Frederick Rescue Mission and SHIP of Frederick County.
What We Believe
Brook Hill's teaching sits within the historic United Methodist tradition. The congregation believes that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired word of God, and that the Holy Spirit guided human authors to produce the Bible as God's written communication with humanity. Members confess one God who exists in three distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each fully God. They believe Jesus is the Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, fully human and fully divine, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the sins of humanity, rose physically from the dead, ascended into heaven and will return to establish God's perfect peace and justice. The Holy Spirit is present and living within each follower, illuminating Scripture and transforming believers into the image of Christ.
The church recognizes two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: baptism (by sprinkling, immersion, or pouring, at any age and only once in a lifetime) and the Lord's Supper, also called Holy Communion or Eucharist. Communion is open to all who love Christ, repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.
Grace is central to the congregation's understanding of Christian life. Following John Wesley, the church teaches three dimensions of grace: prevenient grace, God's active presence stirring a desire to know God and enabling a response; justifying grace, by which God forgives sins and restores relationship through Christ; and sanctifying grace, the ongoing work of God's presence that transforms believers over a lifetime. Salvation involves conversion - a turning from one orientation to another - that may be sudden or gradual. Faith and good works belong together, and personal piety is inseparable from social holiness. Because of what God has done, disciples offer their lives back through service, linking love of God to love of neighbor and to a passionate commitment to justice and renewal in the world.
Getting Around the Building
Brook Hill's campus sits at 8946 Indian Springs Road, with a phone line at 301-662-1727 (fax 301-631-1202) and a general email at BrookHill@bhumc.org. Visitors may park in the lot beside the church building, which was paved in 1974, or use the handicap and van-accessible spaces next to the accessible entrance by the Life Activity Center. The elevator reaches the lower level where the nursery, children's classrooms, fellowship hall, youth activities center and choir room are located. On-call pastoral assistance is available by calling 301-662-1727 and pressing 6 to leave a message.
How to Get Connected
First-time visitors can fill out a Ministry Connection Survey online to be matched with a ministry that fits their gifts and interests, or they can fill out a Connection Form for the online community. New families with children register at the welcome table in the narthex. Prayer requests can be submitted online or emailed to brookhillprayers@bhumc.org. Giving is accepted in Sunday services, by mail, online through Pushpay (protected by SecureTrust's Trusted Commerce program), and through PayPal and Venmo. The church calendar, Brook Hill's weekly email list and the Daily Scripture Challenge are all available online. For those who wish to join the Prayer Chain Email Group, the link is on the church's online giving and connection pages.
Brook Hill is part of the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, and the congregation's stated purpose is "to be disciples, who make disciples, who live and love like Jesus." Its mission is "together with Jesus, we are making fully devoted followers of Christ through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism," and its vision is "to be a biblical community of many generations and cultures who seek to know and love one another as Jesus knows and loves us."