BUMC History - 1970's

In 1969 the original church building was torn down and construction on a new Sanctuary, fellowship hall, Pastor's studies and 9 classrooms were begun.

Two bells were purchased at this time. One for decoration only and the other as part of the music system or carillon. The center bell, the only bell that works, was part of the Baptist church.

The new construction included contemporary faceted glass windows in the Sanctuary. Each window tells a story, click here to learn more.

125th Anniversary Celebration

The Sunday School children celebrated our 125th anniversary on September 9, 1979 by releasing helium filled balloons. Each balloon had a postcard attached with directions to return the card with information about who found it and where. We received cards back from Wisconsin and Michigan.

Heritage Quilt

If you enter the library on any given day you will see a beautiful quilt hanging on the left hand side of the room. The quilt was made for the 125th Anniversary celebration by the United Methodist Women (UMW) and was designed by Corinne Kronen. The quilt gives us a brief glimpse at Brooklyn's unique history. Approximately 20 women worked on the quilt over a 3 year period, some only placing one stitch. Nobody in the group had ever made a tapestry before.

The Triple Arch - This symbolizes the side windows on the old church.

First Panel (top to bottom):
Two mother kneeling in prayer began this church according to written church history. Bible studies and services held in homes during the Civil War - Circuit Rider came to conduct service - First church building (1866) Second church building (1917) - Original bell from the Baptist church has hung in each church building. Parsonage built next to the 1917 church - Community gymnasium built behind the 1917 church (1920) - Symbols of Community Harvest Home Festivals held in gymnasium - wagon - games and contests - produce display booth - Instruments of church orchestra - Student receiving Bible as a gift from the congregation - Sunday School class - First educational wing, wood (1954) Second educational wing, brick (1959) - Current building, brick (1970)

Second Panel:
Confirmation - Communion - Scripture - Prayer - Symbol of Trinity - Heritage dates - Marriage - Baptism - Funerals - Preaching - Symbols of Missions, Women's Life Membership pin - Methodist Cross and Flame symbol - Map of Rhodesia, base of missionaries given our support - Wood sculpture of the Holy Family carved by native Rhodesians and given to Brooklyn Church through missionaries, John & Ruth Schevenius - Minnesota - United States - World

Third Panel:
Hymn, "O For a Thousand Tongues..." - Children's choir - Adult choir - Present pipe organ - Methodist Hymnal - Emblem of Methodist Youth Fellowship - Symbols for traditional turkey dinners and other church dinners - Fall Bazaar

Did you know?
"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" is traditionally the first song in any Methodist hymn book, and the most characteristic, widely known and sung hymn of the Wesleyan movement. It was written by Charles Wesley in 1739 to celebrate his conversion and was originally titled "For the Anniversary of One's Conversion". At that time, there were 18 verses. Seventeen of the original verses are listed as hymn #58 with the one left out having been perceived as racist. The hymn as we know it with seven verses is hymn #57 in the UM Hymnal.

National History 1970-1979

	1970 - IBM releases the floppy disk
	1970 - Women's strike for equality
	1971 - 1st Microprocessor created
	1971 - Cigarette advertisements banned from television
	1972 - 1st CAT scan
	1972 - Space Shuttle program established
	1972 - Last Apollo mission to moon launched
	1973 - Genetic Engineering
	1973 - Watergate scandal
	1974 - Hank Aaron breaks "Babe" Ruth's home run record
	1974 - Richard Nixon becomes the 1st U.S. President to resign
	1975 - 1st personal computer created
	1975 - Microsoft founded
	1976 - Cray Research develops the 1st super-computer
	1976 - U.S. military academies admit women for the 1st time
	1976 - America's 200th Birthday
	1976 - Jimmy Carter is elected President
	1977 - Apple releases the Apple II, the 1st PC with color graphics
	1977 - Alex Haley's movie "Roots" is televised for the 1st time
	1977 - Elvis Presley dies
	1978 - Programmers create 1st spreadsheet
	1979 - Three Mile Island Accident

World Events 1970-1979

	1970 - The Beatles break up
	1970 - 1st Earth Day
	1972 - Nixon goes to China
	1973 - J.R.R. Tolkein, the author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, dies
	1974 - "Lucy" discovered
	1978 - 1st test tube baby is born in England