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Bedford Central Presbyterian Church
Brooklyn
NY
11216-3101
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Who we are
"Bedford Central exists to seek Christ first in all things, to glorify God by equipping believers to serve and evangelize through meaningful relationships."
Bedford Central Presbyterian Church exists in order to lead men, women and children to Jesus Christ, thereby becoming a part of God’s family. Our aim is to assist people in ways of growing and maturing so each may serve the world, actively sharing their gifts and talents.
No matter where you are in life, Bedford Central Church has a place for you. You can be the very link in the chain of hope that is continuously expanding as we serve both our present neighborhood and communities around the world. You are invited and welcomed to become a part of Christ’s family as we continue to serve the world.
Bedford Central Presbyterian Church exists in order to lead men, women and children to Jesus Christ, thereby becoming a part of God’s family. Our aim is to assist people in ways of growing and maturing so each may serve the world, actively sharing their gifts and talents.
No matter where you are in life, Bedford Central Church has a place for you. You can be the very link in the chain of hope that is continuously expanding as we serve both our present neighborhood and communities around the world. You are invited and welcomed to become a part of Christ’s family as we continue to serve the world.
Location of worship / Church Address
1200 Dean St
Brooklyn,
NY
11216-3101
United States
Phone: 718-467-0740
Fax: 718-778-6718
Download Bedford Central Presbyterian Church vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Dr. Clive E. Neil
Pastor
1200 Dean St
Brooklyn,
NY
11216-3101
United States
Phone: 718-467-0740
Fax: 718-778-6718
Download Pastor Dr. Clive E. Neil vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight
For we walk by faith, not by sight
Denomination
Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Churches in Brooklyn, New York, United States
Presbyterian Churches in New York, United States
Presbyterian Churches in United States
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Affiliations:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Website:
Social Media
Bedford Central Presbyterian Church Brooklyn on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Dr. Clive E. Neil
Leader Position:
Pastor
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Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
718-778-6718
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Reverend Dr. Clive E. Neil, the son of Othneil and Lillian Neil, was born in Jamaica, West Indies. His love of education and hard work caused him to excel in High School which earned him the opportunity to attend Eastern University in St. David, P.A. Graduating with honors, Dr. Neil was awarded a Princeton University Fellowship, and later graduated with a Masters in Divinity. In 1991, Dr. Neil received his doctorate in Counseling from Drew University in Madison, N. J. The subject of his dissertation was "developing healthy interpersonal relationships."
During his college years, Dr. Neil was called from the world of Science into the ministry of the Gospel. In 1985, he became an ordained, Presbyterian minister and began his pastorship at Tremont Presbyterian Church, Bronx, N.Y. He served there faithfully from 1985 - 1988. In 1988, God joined together the ministry of the congregation of Bedford-Central Presbyterian church and the ministering gifts of Dr. Neil to create a dynamic, Christ-centered, Bible-believing, people-building, community-reaching church.
Over the past 25 years, Pastor Neil's ministry has been based on Ephesians 4:12, which instructs him to "equip God's people to do God's work, to build up the church and the body, so that we may become unified and grow in the knowledge of God." In taking this mandate seriously, Pastor Neil has led and inspired the congregation to create, develop, and institute a Day Care Center, a Community Development Corporation, a Church Library, a Bible Institute, and a Christian Counseling Ministry. Under Dr. Neil's leadership, the homeless have been fed, a food pantry has been implemented, small Bible study groups have been created; a second worship service has been added; adults have received literacy training, the Church's Adult choir has recorded a CD; thirteen Lay Pastors have been trained; Liturgical Dance ministries have flourished; an AIDS ministry is present; the preaching of the gospel, prayer, and the study of the Word of God continue to be the major focus of Dr. Neil's and the church's ministry.
An accomplished author, Dr. Neil has written three books: "Dancing with Danger - Turning Obstacles into Opportunities", "Breaking Through", and "Unleashing the Truth". As a licensed psychotherapist, he has taught and lectured at many of NYC's premier colleges.
During his college years, Dr. Neil was called from the world of Science into the ministry of the Gospel. In 1985, he became an ordained, Presbyterian minister and began his pastorship at Tremont Presbyterian Church, Bronx, N.Y. He served there faithfully from 1985 - 1988. In 1988, God joined together the ministry of the congregation of Bedford-Central Presbyterian church and the ministering gifts of Dr. Neil to create a dynamic, Christ-centered, Bible-believing, people-building, community-reaching church.
Over the past 25 years, Pastor Neil's ministry has been based on Ephesians 4:12, which instructs him to "equip God's people to do God's work, to build up the church and the body, so that we may become unified and grow in the knowledge of God." In taking this mandate seriously, Pastor Neil has led and inspired the congregation to create, develop, and institute a Day Care Center, a Community Development Corporation, a Church Library, a Bible Institute, and a Christian Counseling Ministry. Under Dr. Neil's leadership, the homeless have been fed, a food pantry has been implemented, small Bible study groups have been created; a second worship service has been added; adults have received literacy training, the Church's Adult choir has recorded a CD; thirteen Lay Pastors have been trained; Liturgical Dance ministries have flourished; an AIDS ministry is present; the preaching of the gospel, prayer, and the study of the Word of God continue to be the major focus of Dr. Neil's and the church's ministry.
An accomplished author, Dr. Neil has written three books: "Dancing with Danger - Turning Obstacles into Opportunities", "Breaking Through", and "Unleashing the Truth". As a licensed psychotherapist, he has taught and lectured at many of NYC's premier colleges.
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Bedford Central Presbyterian Church Leadership Photos
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Bedford Central Presbyterian Church Brooklyn Service Times
Worship Service
Sunday 8:00am & 11:00am
Wednesday Night Bible Study
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Bible School
Sunday 9:30am
Please join us on the Prayer Conference at 7:00am where we do devotion and prayer until 7:10am.
Join us by calling 609-472-5814
Access Code is 212-138-387 and receive a blessing before starting your day.
Service Times last updated on the 11th of July, 2018
Sunday 8:00am & 11:00am
Wednesday Night Bible Study
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Bible School
Sunday 9:30am
Please join us on the Prayer Conference at 7:00am where we do devotion and prayer until 7:10am.
Join us by calling 609-472-5814
Access Code is 212-138-387 and receive a blessing before starting your day.
Service Times last updated on the 11th of July, 2018
Worship Languages
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Children and Youth Activities
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Under 18s:
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Bedford Central Presbyterian Church Photo Gallery
Bedford Central Presbyterian Church History
Bedford-Central's birth took place under an apple tree in a field at Vanderbilt and Atlantic Avenues where Henry Newcomb ministered to children who had little or no education. This eventually led to the creation of a school on July 4th of 1852. After outgrowing an attic, the school moved to a barn on Dean Street and Underhill Avenue which became Mt. Prospect Mission School, under the leadership of Superintendent Silas Davenport.
Worship services were held at the Atlantic Avenue chapel of the Clinton Avenue Congregation Church under the leadership of A. S. Barnes. A chapel was built in 1871 at Classon Avenue, between Park and Sterling place. This new Congregational Church of the Covenant had two pastors, first Dr. Brothwall and then Dr. Henry Waite. The church was later renamed Trinity Congregational Church in 1892.
February 1894 marked the beginning of our affiliation with the Presbyterian denomination. The church became Bedford Presbyterian Church, with a membership of less than 100 with Rev. George E. Gillespie as pastor. During his tenure, the congregation remodeled an old house on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Dean street. Rev. William J. Hutchins became the pastor from 1895-1907. Oct. 25, 1908 began the ministry of Dr. S. Edward Young. What is now the chapel was then used for worship services but the membership outgrew its 600 seating capacity.
By 1909, the congregation had grown from 101 to 742 members, while the Sunday school grew from 81 to 900, hence, the necessity for the building that is now the main Sanctuary. Through the sacrificial giving of the congregation, the entire cost of $100,000 was paid in full. The three-manual electric organ cost an additional $10,000 and the rose window in the back was donated by the Sunday School at a cost of $500. The entire structure was dedicated in 1910.
Central Presbyterian Church united with Bedford on January 1, 1944, and on May 1, 1961, Classon Avenue Presbyterian Church joined the merger. The new congregation became Bedford-Central Presbyterian Church under the dual leadership of Dr. Arms (from 1929-1948) and Dr. Paul Barackman (from 1944-1951). Rev. Frederick Evans had a short pastoral ministry from 1951-1954. After him came the renowned and scholarly Dr. Samuel Jackson. During his tenure, from 1955-1971, the first African-American joined the congregation. Dr. Jackson's retirement left a vacancy that was filled by the gentle, warm-hearted, spiritual leadership of Rev. Alexander Balden from 1973-1981. It was during this time that the congregation became predominantly African-American and Caribbean-American.
After many years of strong leadership, Bedford-Central endured seven years of lean. We spent those years diligently seeking a man of God. We received a welcome respite from our labor in 1986 when pastoral candidate, Rev. Richard Hagler burst on the scene with an energetic and innovative ministry.
Seven years of obedient and diligent prayer resulted in the calling of Dr. Clive E. Neil to the pastorate in 1988. He became the first black pastor of Bedford-Central. Under his dynamic, spiritually-gifted and creative leadership, we have experienced:
A 30% increase in membership
An increased annual budget
An emphasis on Christian education, which led to the development of the Spring and Fall Bible Institutes and church library
An increased emphasis on developing new leaders, with a vision towards commissioning 30 lay leaders to teach and preach
The development of a music ministry that is lively and relevant to our worship experience
The institution of a day of prayer
A desire to make the youth feel like a vital part of the church by developing a teen outreach partnership with New Life
In the words of Dr. Neil, we have gained, "A renewed commitment to shift from a membership-centered church to a community-centered ministry, which addresses the multifaceted issues facing our people." Hence the inception of the Day Care Ministry, the Angel Tree Project, Christmas dinner for those in need, companionship visits to those in the Marcus Garvey Nursing Home, health fairs, aerobics classes, an international dinner (held outside), and an annual outreach day, where we take the gospel to the streets.
It's been over one hundred years and we are determined as we continue to serve Christ in this community, to continually re-evaluate our ministries and to analyze their usefulness and relevance. As we do this, we seek to practice 1 Cor.15:58 "Standing firm allowing nothing to move us. Always giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain."
There is a creed in Native American culture that reads, "Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it." Bedford-Central Presbyterian Church will take only what we need, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we will leave this church, this community, and this country better than we found it. Amen!
Worship services were held at the Atlantic Avenue chapel of the Clinton Avenue Congregation Church under the leadership of A. S. Barnes. A chapel was built in 1871 at Classon Avenue, between Park and Sterling place. This new Congregational Church of the Covenant had two pastors, first Dr. Brothwall and then Dr. Henry Waite. The church was later renamed Trinity Congregational Church in 1892.
February 1894 marked the beginning of our affiliation with the Presbyterian denomination. The church became Bedford Presbyterian Church, with a membership of less than 100 with Rev. George E. Gillespie as pastor. During his tenure, the congregation remodeled an old house on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Dean street. Rev. William J. Hutchins became the pastor from 1895-1907. Oct. 25, 1908 began the ministry of Dr. S. Edward Young. What is now the chapel was then used for worship services but the membership outgrew its 600 seating capacity.
By 1909, the congregation had grown from 101 to 742 members, while the Sunday school grew from 81 to 900, hence, the necessity for the building that is now the main Sanctuary. Through the sacrificial giving of the congregation, the entire cost of $100,000 was paid in full. The three-manual electric organ cost an additional $10,000 and the rose window in the back was donated by the Sunday School at a cost of $500. The entire structure was dedicated in 1910.
Central Presbyterian Church united with Bedford on January 1, 1944, and on May 1, 1961, Classon Avenue Presbyterian Church joined the merger. The new congregation became Bedford-Central Presbyterian Church under the dual leadership of Dr. Arms (from 1929-1948) and Dr. Paul Barackman (from 1944-1951). Rev. Frederick Evans had a short pastoral ministry from 1951-1954. After him came the renowned and scholarly Dr. Samuel Jackson. During his tenure, from 1955-1971, the first African-American joined the congregation. Dr. Jackson's retirement left a vacancy that was filled by the gentle, warm-hearted, spiritual leadership of Rev. Alexander Balden from 1973-1981. It was during this time that the congregation became predominantly African-American and Caribbean-American.
After many years of strong leadership, Bedford-Central endured seven years of lean. We spent those years diligently seeking a man of God. We received a welcome respite from our labor in 1986 when pastoral candidate, Rev. Richard Hagler burst on the scene with an energetic and innovative ministry.
Seven years of obedient and diligent prayer resulted in the calling of Dr. Clive E. Neil to the pastorate in 1988. He became the first black pastor of Bedford-Central. Under his dynamic, spiritually-gifted and creative leadership, we have experienced:
A 30% increase in membership
An increased annual budget
An emphasis on Christian education, which led to the development of the Spring and Fall Bible Institutes and church library
An increased emphasis on developing new leaders, with a vision towards commissioning 30 lay leaders to teach and preach
The development of a music ministry that is lively and relevant to our worship experience
The institution of a day of prayer
A desire to make the youth feel like a vital part of the church by developing a teen outreach partnership with New Life
In the words of Dr. Neil, we have gained, "A renewed commitment to shift from a membership-centered church to a community-centered ministry, which addresses the multifaceted issues facing our people." Hence the inception of the Day Care Ministry, the Angel Tree Project, Christmas dinner for those in need, companionship visits to those in the Marcus Garvey Nursing Home, health fairs, aerobics classes, an international dinner (held outside), and an annual outreach day, where we take the gospel to the streets.
It's been over one hundred years and we are determined as we continue to serve Christ in this community, to continually re-evaluate our ministries and to analyze their usefulness and relevance. As we do this, we seek to practice 1 Cor.15:58 "Standing firm allowing nothing to move us. Always giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain."
There is a creed in Native American culture that reads, "Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it." Bedford-Central Presbyterian Church will take only what we need, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we will leave this church, this community, and this country better than we found it. Amen!