Briarwood Presbyterian Church
Encyclopedia
Briarwood Presbyterian Church was formed in 1960 by the Rev. Frank M. Barker, Jr. and is located in suburban Birmingham, Alabama
. It is a conservative evangelical
Protestant congregation, and has been so since its inception. In 1999, Barker retired after serving as the senior pastor for 40 years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Reeder III, the current minister. Founded in a storefront, it later grew to have what was reported to be the largest church budget in Alabama, and opened a $32 million campus in 1988.
Originally a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
(a predecessor to the present Presbyterian Church (USA)
), Briarwood was among some 250 PCUS congregations that became charter members of the Presbyterian Church in America
(PCA) in December 1973; the organizational meeting was conducted in Briarwood's sanctuary. In addition to Briarwood, the Birmingham area is a strong pocket of influence for the PCA, with some 15 congregations located in Jefferson
and Shelby
counties.
Briarwood has a membership of approximately 4,100 and has been responsible for helping form ministries such as Campus Outreach
, Birmingham Theological Seminary, and Young Business Leaders, as well as planting numerous churches around the world. In 2006, it was listed as being the 35th most influential non-catholic church in America by "The Church Report".
The church organized the Briarwood Christian School
in 1965.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. It is a conservative evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Protestant congregation, and has been so since its inception. In 1999, Barker retired after serving as the senior pastor for 40 years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Reeder III, the current minister. Founded in a storefront, it later grew to have what was reported to be the largest church budget in Alabama, and opened a $32 million campus in 1988.
Originally a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
Presbyterian Church in the United States
The Presbyterian Church in the United States was a Protestant Christian denomination in the Southern and border states of the United States that existed from 1861 to 1983...
(a predecessor to the present Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
), Briarwood was among some 250 PCUS congregations that became charter members of the Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church in America
The Presbyterian Church in America is an evangelical Protestant Christian denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States after the Presbyterian Church . The PCA professes a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary work, and Christian education...
(PCA) in December 1973; the organizational meeting was conducted in Briarwood's sanctuary. In addition to Briarwood, the Birmingham area is a strong pocket of influence for the PCA, with some 15 congregations located in Jefferson
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
and Shelby
Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2010 U.S. Census the population was 195,085. Shelby...
counties.
Briarwood has a membership of approximately 4,100 and has been responsible for helping form ministries such as Campus Outreach
Campus Outreach
Campus Outreach is a network of interdenominational Christian organizations, focusing on evangelizing and discipling college students worldwide under the mission statement "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World."...
, Birmingham Theological Seminary, and Young Business Leaders, as well as planting numerous churches around the world. In 2006, it was listed as being the 35th most influential non-catholic church in America by "The Church Report".
The church organized the Briarwood Christian School
Briarwood Christian School
Briarwood Christian School is a school in Birmingham, Alabama. It was started by Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1965. In 1977, the school had its own dedicated facilities constructed on Highway 119, about 15 miles south of the current church campus...
in 1965.