The very start of the Brighton Church history was in 1953-54 when Grady Lee Reese began coming to Leo and Ada Dunham’s home for Bible study.
The following are approximate dates and we think we have all of the preachers who were full time. There were numerous others who filled in during times when we were without a full time preacher.
Christians started meeting at the Junior Chamber of Commerce hall on Bush Street, between Third Street and the railroad tracks. In 1955-56, Flavil Yakely came to Brighton. The church rented a two story house on Bridge street for Flavil and his wife Nadell, and services were held downstairs in the living room. In 1957 Chesley Fritz preached in the building on Longs Peak for about one year. Others filled in and around 1959, Bob Speck came. The exact dates of his preaching are unknown.
The decade of the 60’s saw Leonard Black here around 1960. From 1962 to 1965 Arthur Gardner and Jim and Tom Barrientez were here. Tom also led the singing. They were followed by Neal Messik and Gale Wells.
In 1971 Carl Farrell was here followed by Bob Taylor who preached in the old building for a short time and continued to preach in the “new” building on 5th and Bush. Kermitt Webb followed Bob in 1976-77. Cliff Diester did some preaching for the congregation while he was principle of the Cross Roads Christian School.
In 1982 John Glover arrived and then in 1984 Ray Mitchell was the pulpit minister, preaching full time for 11 years and also working full time with the post office. Ray also served for a short time as an Elder and then decided to help the work in Keenesburg where the Mitchell’s had strong family ties.
Emmett Roberts was hired as the full time preacher in 1995. In spite of serious health issues Emmett faithfully served in the pulpit until early 2009 and continued his personal evangelism until his death July 26, 2009.
Hans Oehlert, who assisted the ministry by filling in when Emmett’s health kept him out of the pulpit, took over the full time preaching in early 2009. Hans also does personal evangelism and is active working with the young people in the congregation. God has blessed us with a young and doctrinally sound minister of his word.
In 2002 there was an outreach to the Spanish ministry with Roberto Rivera preaching for the Spanish speakers downstairs. This effort lasted for about a year at which time Roberto was unable to continue the work here. However, the Spanish ministry happily has been revived with the addition of several Spanish speaking families. Ernesto Bonilla served as the pulpit minister for the Spanish speaking side of the congregation for a couple of years. Carlos Tario now leads the Spanish work under the direction of the Elders.
The congregation purchased ground northeast of Brighton in 2006 and plans for future growth continue to be a priority. The leadership at Brighton is working with the planning department of the City of Brighton and the building program is progressing.
Sunday morning attendance presently averages 140. The congregation’s full membership is currently 170. Sunday evening attendance now resembles the morning numbers of years before.
The fields in Brighton continue to be “white unto harvest”.