History
Parkside has a rich history of Gospel faithfulness dating all the way back to 1847.
1847
In 1847, missionaries began work in the Brownsburg area and realized the need to start a church. In 1851, Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church was formed with 18 people meeting in a log building.
1857
In 1857, a simple framed building was constructed in our current location.
1884
On the first Sunday in January 1884, a new 38’ x 50’ brick church building was dedicated for the worship of God. In 1886, the church started its first church plant in Boone County, IN. The first-ever Sunday School ministry was started the first Sunday in April and continued until the fall.
1923
After a rough period, and even closing the doors for five years, the church had a rebirth in 1923.During the summer, some boys riding their ponies looked in the windows of the church and saw a walking plow behind the “Sacred Desk.” They went home and mentioned it to their parents. In August, the church reopened with a Homecoming service attended by 35 church members and locals. In 1929, workmen began excavating a new basement under the old brick church. After a torrential rainstorm, a large crack in the south wall was noticed, and the building eventually collapsed. A new church building was constructed and finished for a cost of $7,000.
1947
The church celebrated its centennial anniversary with a written church history and participated with a float in the Brownsburg Centennial Parade.
1959
In 1959, Don Tyler was called as the pastor of the church. Under his leadership, it began to see an even greater increase in evangelism and discipleship. A bus ministry began in 1961, and the church assisted in planting a new church on North High School Road in Indianapolis in 1964.
1961
The church celebrated the groundbreaking for the new auditorium (our current Fellowship Center). The bus ministry also began this year with the purchase of a retired school bus that quickly became known as “Old Blue.”
1967
The church dedicated the first of two educational buildings.
1970
The church broke ground for the new auditorium. This auditorium is still used today for our Worship Gatherings.
1972
New and creative ways to spread the Gospel began. We sent out our first foreign missionary, Diane Kerstetter in 1972. Bethesda Christian Schools opened in 1974, and the Living Christmas Tree began in 1979.
1987
In 1987, the church began to focus on planting new churches throughout the Indianapolis area. Over the next decade we planted or came alongside to help support the existence of 11 churches. We currently partner with Plant Indy to plant churches in the Indianapolis area.
2003
The Ministry and Athletic Center was completed to provide classrooms for the Junior High and High School students and included a new High School gym.
2014
The foreign missions program at the church began to implement a targeted focus of church planting and assistance in three countries – Brazil, India, and Germany. We currently support 14 missionaries in 12 countries, 7 of which are sent from Parkside. We have sent Parkside members on numerous short term SendMe journeys to aid and encourage our missionaries.
2016
Our local missions focused on sharing the Gospel in new ways beginning in 2016. Back to Bethlehem, an interactive living nativity began as an opportunity for families from the community to experience the first Christmas and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. This ministry concluded in 2020 during the pandemic. In 2017, Northwest Community Park opened as a gift to the community with a fishing pond, walking trail, prayer garden, and 18-hole disc golf course. The Playground at Northwest Community Park was added in 2019. This park and playground is the only public park north of I74 and is utilized by many in our community.
2018
The church became known as Parkside Bible Church, with a renewed commitment to the Gospel and a focus on serving the community.
2023
In 2023, Grace Marriage, a marriage maintenance model, was brought to Parkside. Couples meet four times a year to spend intentional time focusing on their marriage.
2024
Storytime at the Park was started in 2024 and included a story time, snack, and take-home craft. As the desire increased, Bethesda Christian School determined more space was needed. A capital campaign was started to raise funds for the Bethesda Christian School expansion. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May. In November, we hosted the Called Out Youth Conference for youth groups all over the state of Indiana.
2025
The year 2025 marks the 175th year of Bethesda/Parkside. We started the year with a kick-off meal in the high school gym. The Parkside@175 podcast was recorded, which includes 12 episodes with interviews of members of the church, missionaries, former pastors, church planters, graduates of BCS, and more. Our current ministries include Sunday School for adults and children, Worship Gathering, Bible Institute, The Vine for children, youth group for middle school and high school students, Community Groups, Biblical Counseling, and Grace Marriage. We have many opportunities for members to serve within our church as well as within our community through Fast Track, National Night Out, and Community Christmas.