 When did the Berean Bible Society actually have its beginning? Interestingly, it began in a two-room school house in Preakness (now Wayne), New Jersey. Here a group of believers began to see the importance of understanding the "the mystery" revealed to Paul, and the urgency of proclaiming the unadulterated "gospel of the grace of God". It was Pastor C. R. Stam's first pastorate: the Preakness Community Church.
When the school house had to be torn down, the little group felt led of God to launch a building program, even though they were in the depth of the Great Depression. The builder was our beloved Herbert Birchenough, though other members helped put in the basement and served in other ways. In this church the Berean Searchlight was first published.
It was not long before Pastor Stam was addressing a well-filled church each Sunday, with Mr. Ernest Ulmer the Superintendent of a growing, enthusiastic Sunday School. Brother Ulmer's fervor and godly life were an inspiration to these young people and many of them gave their hearts and lives to the Lord.
Later, in 1945, Pastor and Mrs. Stam moved to Milwaukee, where he joined Pastor Charles F. Baker in establishing the Milwaukee Bible Institute. The Berean Searchlight, however, and Pastor Stam's broadcast and wire recorded Bible lessons continued from a rented office. It was not a pretentious headquarters, but it was light and roomy, with plenty of storage space.
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