The idea of forming a church body in Glencoe began in the Fall of 1984 at a Bible Study in the home of Lavon and Jan Lamberty. Pastor Gary Brooks of Shalom Baptist Church in Hutchinson, MN was the teacher.
A Triad Committee composed of believers from Hutchinson, Glencoe and the Minnesota Baptist Conference was formed to study the possibility of starting a new church work in Glencoe, MN.
On June 20, 1985, the first official church meeting was held in the family room at the home of Andy and Marsha Ypma, 1705 Ives in Glencoe. It was at this meeting that the life of this new church had its beginning. The body of believers voted on a church name, signed a document to initiate incorporation, called its first pastor, and collected its first offering. The families that met were: Don and Mary Buckentin, Don and Phyllis Christensen, Glenn and Emily Gruenhagen, Lavon and Jan Lamberty, Larry and Gayle Macht, Dean and Judy Watson, and Andy and Marsha Ypma.
During the month of October 1985, Berean Baptist Church moved into its first church home, the former Glenhaven care center. A rental agreement was obtained from the Glencoe Hospital, owner of Glenhaven, and the church began an extensive clean-up operation of the facility. Many people helped do the work, and pews, pulpit furniture plus other need items were donated. Pastor Jim Schade was the first pastor of Berean Baptist Church. He served from 1985 to 1987.
On February 28, 1989, Berean Baptist Church purchased the former St. George Catholic Church at 16th and Hennepin for $60,000. A generous gift of $20,000 was given by the Minnesota Baptist Conference and a loan was secured for $40,000. The new purchase included an equipped kitchen plus 44 15' pew benches. Over all, the church facility was in good condition. Pastor Arnold Boich was the second pastor of Berean Baptist Church. He served from September 1, 1988 to the present.
In 1990, after five years of Minnesota Baptist Conference financial support, Berean Baptist Church became self supporting and continues to grow by the grace of God.
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