Brookhaven Wesleyan Church changes service time to accommodate 1812 festivities

Brookhaven Wesleyan Church held an evening service on Sunday to avoid possible Mississinewa 1812 traffic.

“We just did not want to fight the traffic,” lead pastor Tony Bye said. “We’re very supportive of it, being in the community, but we just thought, hey, let’s, let’s move it to the evening.”

Brookhaven changed their service time to 5 p.m. Church attendees agreed with the change in service time.

“I think going the extra mile to change the service time today,” member Janel Hart said. “Even though it looks like maybe it’s not necessarily needed, I think was a good idea, just in case.”

Brookhaven placed signs in front of the church to welcome those passing by.

“We’ve got signs up now out by the road,” Bye said. “There’ll be so many people who have passed by us from the county that normally would not even drive by us, who will see us.”

Attendance at the service may have been affected by other events happening in the community.

“There was a really exciting revival service going on in Fairmount at this exact same time. I know some of our people are split between that,” church member David Henry said. “I’m really happy with the crowd that came today. I thought the worship and message were great. I think it was a good choice.”

Cofounded by Martin Lake and Ed Breen, Mississinewa 1812 dives into Indiana history.

“Those two really got it going,” Brookhaven member and former member of the board of directors for Mississinewa 1812 Marilyn Rumsey said. “And the actual battle site where we were, it actually happened there.” 

Children can learn through the event.

“It was a good thing for the kids, and I think it still is that,” Rumsey said. “From what I’ve heard this year, the schoolteachers that went were really pleased with how it turned out.”

Teachers have been bringing students to Mississinewa 1812 for many years.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a year that they had it that I didn’t bring students while I’ve taught fourth.” Henry said, who has brought students for the last 20 years.

Mississinewa 1812 prevailed despite the location change.

“From what I saw at the site yesterday, I think it’s going to be, as they move forward, it’s only going to get better,” Hart said.