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1883 through Present Day 2020

The beginnings of Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church started in 1883 as an outreach mission church by First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV called Glen Elk Mission. Originally, the mission was on Bigley Ave. and the congregation grew so much that a larger structure was needed. So in 1902, the Bream family gave their cemetery lot and adjoining property to the Southern Presbyterian Church with the provision that a building for the purpose of Godly worship had to be built within 10years. The cornerstone of Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church was at the building we now identify as the Parlor. In 1903, an auditorium was completed that included a gym (the only one on the West Side) and classrooms. This sat in the area now occupied by the chapel and education wing. And the church still grew.
In 1910-1911, the sanctuary was built. In October of 1918, the pipe organ was installed and is one of the outstanding instruments in the Charleston area.
By 1920, Bream had over 2300 members, and the building grew more also.
In 1932, the Hubbard Building was erected. In 1937, Joe B. Overmeyer became Bream’s pastor and remained until 1960, the longest pastorate in Bream’s history.
Under his guidance Bream became instrumental in starting seven mission congregations which were Lydia Robson, Rebecca Littlepage, McKinnon Chapel, and Hobbs Chapel now Grace Covenant.
During WWII, 394 men and women from Bream served in the armed forces and 13 sacrificed the lives.
In 1946, the membership climbed to its highest level of 2900 members, and became the fourth largest Presbyterian Church in the southern states.
The educational building and chapel were built in 1955.
The Bream Center, first started as a kindergarten and now a preschool is in this facility. In 1968, the Activities Building was erected with full size basketball court and stands, plus a rumpus room and many additional rooms.
In 1975, new stained glass windows in the sanctuary were installed, crafted by the Willet Company of Philadelphia using Blenko glass from Milton, WV.
Our church building has a wonderful and long history on the West Side or Elk City of Charleston, WV, just as the multitude of members it has had over the years.
Bream’s congregation has consisted of city workers, lawyers, nurses and doctors, store clerks, delegates, mayors, telephone operators, secretaries, judges, and more.

All are welcome at Bream.

Our congregation today try to uphold tradition with a blend of today, we are not a congregation that is as large as it was back in the 60’s and 70’s, but our mission is the same as then but with more focus on our community, congregation and our city.
Today we use our large facility to house numerous non-profits, small community businesses, community outreaches, and other organizations or people that are focused on bettering our community or as wel like to say- being helping Hands to our area.
The aim and programs of Bream Memorial has always been of worship, education, fellowship, and evangelism. We offer Sunday Worship, bible studies, dinners, music, community outreach, Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, a newsletter (the Chimes), we offer services on Facebook and Web site, the Bream Center for children is still up and running, and we are always trying to begin new programs and outreaches.
The future of Bream Memorial is bright with the promise of God, for many years Bream has been lead by competent and consecrated pastorate hands and the same holds now. Today, our church is ministered by Pastor Dawn Adamy. The first woman Pastor in the history of Bream. Pastor Dawn, along with our session, guides the congregation in fulfilling our mission statement which is:
The people of Bream are called to love our God and love our neighbors as Jesus commanded.  We humbly strive to do this by

·       Sustaining our members through worship, fellowship and service
·       Welcoming all without partiality or discrimination, 
·       Being God’s helping hands in our neighborhood