History of our Building
Berkeley-Hillside Presbyterian Church was founded May 6, 1917 with nineteen people meeting in different homes. A cabin was built on the prairie one block south of out present location; north east corner of Taft and Washington. The cabin was built by the men of the church in one day on March 3, 1917 from left over barn wood brought to the location by John Wilson by team (Horse) wagon and held services the following morning. In 1921 a Sears Roebuck Church was purchased to be built at our present location. The building was the typical early 1900's white frame country church with a pot belly stove. The material was delivered by rail to Taft Ave. where the prairie path is now located. Corner stone was laid August 24, 1921. The church was known as the "Little White Church on the Hill." In 1951 as the prairie was disappearing fast, our present sanctuary was built at a cost of $73,000.00 which was a lot of money when you were lucky to take home $65.00 per week. The area was growing after World War II. In subsequent years the white pews, our beautiful stained glass windows, memorial lounge, steeple, and church school wing were added.
There is a children's song written by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh, 1972 which describes accurately what the church is.
"I AM THE CHURCH"
I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.
All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.
I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.
All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.
We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places.
I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.
All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.