Our History…Our Legacy

Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church, founded under the pastorship of Elder Walter Andrews, had its humble beginnings on Popular Street in 1923. After a short time, the church moved to Broad Street and then on to Goffe Street and Webster Street. Its beginnings were small. However, God increased in a great way. In the late twenties, the membership was about twelve members. Bishop Grimes (who often came to visit), Elder Seton, Elder James Tyson, Elder Simmons, and Elder Matthew Andrews assisted Elder Walter Andrews in the ministry. After the death of Elder Andrews in 1935, Sister Rosa B. Andrews, his wife, served as pastor for a short time. Later that year, Elder Lambert Tolbert became pastor. In 1936, the church moved to 12 -14 Admiral Street. The building was purchased and was soon paid for with much effort. A few years later, extensive renovations were made by the deacons and brothers of the church. After the death of Elder Tolbert in 1948, Elder George H. Brooks came to New Haven from Ansonia as the new pastor of Beulah Heights Church in 1950. Under his leadership, the present church building located at 782 Orchard Street was built and dedicated in 1965. He served as pastor until 1987, when he retired as Bishop of this diocese. Bishop Theodore L. Brooks then became pastor. In 1989, an administration and educational wing consisting of fourteen classrooms, a library, and four offices were added to the present structure. Also under his administration, and through Beulah Land Development Corp., affordable houses were built on Orchard Street and also on Munson Street for first-time homebuyers. In 2018, as Bishop Brooks was elevated to the Presiding Prelate position in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, he left the charge of Associate pastors to Pastor Darrell Brooks and Pastor Harold Brooks. As God called Pastor Darrell to begin a work in Waterbury, CT, Pastor Harold Brooks assumed the role of Senior Pastor in 2022. He has a vision to take Beulah Heights beyond where we are and lead the congregation into the next 100 years of Connecting to Christ, Church, and the Community.

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