Brooklyn Church Celebrates 175 Years with Documentary Series

On August 10, 2025, the Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn marked its 175th anniversary with the launch of a six-part documentary series titled “The Audacity of Faith: Freedom From, Freedom To.” This initiative aims to preserve the church’s rich history while engaging a new generation. The congregation, dressed in white, experienced the premiere of the series through large screens flanking the altar, showcasing archival photographs and animations that illustrate the church’s founding vision in 1850.

The documentary, produced by filmmaker and musician Jahleel Hills, highlights the church’s pivotal role in the community. Hills, a sixth-generation member of Berean, has previously directed projects for Amazon Prime and other platforms. His deep-rooted connection to the church inspired him to take on this project, which he views as a personal contribution to the church’s legacy. “Using my gifts for the service and for the glory of God, it’s beautiful,” Hills said.

The idea for the docuseries originated with Antionette Nelson, a deacon and co-founder of the independent music label 1990 Records. Nelson, along with the church’s history committee, spent months compiling a script and researching the church’s archives. Recognizing the need for a creative approach to storytelling, she reached out to Hills, knowing his industry expertise would bring the project to life. “I needed someone to pull it all together,” Nelson explained.

The six episodes, ranging from two to five minutes each, will cover significant moments in the church’s history, including its role as a stop on the Underground Railroad and the establishment of a credit union in 1950. Each episode will be released monthly over the next six months and shared through the church’s social media platforms, aiming to reach a wider audience beyond its congregation.

Nelson emphasized the importance of adapting to contemporary communication methods, citing national literacy statistics that indicate over half of adults aged 16 to 74 read below a sixth-grade level. “To be relevant and capture people’s attention, we have to do something a little bit different,” she stated. The project represents a collaboration across generations, blending the wisdom of elders with the technical skills of younger members.

A 2021 study by the Pew Research Center revealed that a significant portion of young Black Americans, including 49% of Black Millennials and 46% of Black Gen Zers, seldom attend religious services. This trend has coincided with a decline in Berean’s membership since the 1960s, when attendance often exceeded several hundred. Currently, Sunday services attract around 100 to 150 congregants.

Rev. Arlee Arkofa, who has been the church’s pastor for 36 years, expressed hope that the documentary series will help rejuvenate interest in the church and its activities. “We are excited about being able to support [Hills] and his dreams,” Arkofa said, acknowledging the challenges posed by the rising cost of living in New York City.

Hills feels a profound responsibility to uplift the church that shaped his upbringing. While researching his family history, he discovered that his great-great-uncle, Coyal McMahon, was a Broadway performer in the 1950s, further inspiring his creative journey. “Learning history gives you a sense that I could do anything,” Hills reflected.

For Nelson, the overarching goal of “The Audacity of Faith: Freedom From, Freedom To” is to instill excitement and pride in the church’s legacy among younger generations. “I hope they see it as an institution worth preserving because it’s connected to who they are,” she said. The project aims to foster a sense of identity and belonging, ensuring that the church’s story continues to resonate for generations to come.