About Us
Over 200 decisions for salvation were made following a Chapel service at Anglo – Chinese School (Barker Road). The idea of forming a separate “Chapel” within the campus for them was mooted.
The first service of this separate “Chapel” was at the School’s Oldham Hall with a small group of school boys. Rev S T Peter Lim delivered the first sermons.
This “Chapel” was officially recognized as Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC). Baptisms and transfers of members followed on 26 May 1957.
Our first Sanctuary was officially opened by Bishop Hobart B Amstutz. It took two years to raise the S$75,000 for the building and furnishings.
Our kindergarten was established with Mrs Joyce Foster as Principal. It was an outreach in close spiritual affinity with the Methodist Church in Singapore and the ACS family of schools.
Our logo was unveiled, initially as the masthead of our newsletter called UPHILL. The design of the logo was based on how our Sanctuary looked as we walk up towards it.
Inaugural service in our new Sanctuary, now re-built on the same but now larger site. The stained glass, which was installed later, became another BRMC icon.
Our Sanctuary was closed for redevelopment with the ACS campus. We met at 60 Dunearn Road, a site formerly occupied by Swiss Cottage School, and returned to the redeveloped Sanctuary on 22 December 2002.
We launched the Filipino Fellowship as an outreach to those working in Singapore. The Fellowship was constituted as a regular worship service and ministry in March 2005.
We launched a Preaching Point as outreach to Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) students and the community living in Upper Bukit Timah Road. It was constituted as Covenant Community Methodist Church on 11 September 1994.
We launched the SHINE FORTH services. Originally a “teaching service” in the School Auditorium alongside the Sunday 10.30am worship service in the Sanctuary, it is now our regular Contemporary service.
We launched a Preaching Point, jointly with Aldersgate Methodist Church and Wesley Methodist Church, as an outreach to ACS (Independent) students. It was constituted as Living Waters Methodist Church on 20 April 2003.
Indonesian Fellowship was launched as a ministry for the Indonesians in Singapore. It is now one of our regular services and ministries on Sundays.
MOU with Methodist Welfare Services for the joint management of the Methodist Social Service Centre (formerly known as Methodist Family Service Centre) to reach out through provision of social services that meet the needs of children, youth and their families. The name of this Centre was changed to Epworth Community Services from 2019.
Launch of Mandarin worship service for those who are more comfortable in a Mandarin-speaking environment. It is now also one of our regular services on Sundays.
Launch of outreach to the HDB heartlands at Bukit Batok. Originally a joint venture with Methodist Welfare & Social Services, it is now our local mission to reach out to the community there.
Our UPPER ROOM SERVICE, a regular Sunday “charismatic-style” worship service was launched. Wesleyan in doctrine and structure, it would include “the elements of Congregational Spirit inspired simultaneous praying”.
MOU signed with the Girls’ Brigade Singapore to sponsor a company at Singapore Chinese Girls’ School with adult volunteers, Chaplain and financial support. This Company would be the 84th company.
Launch of Preaching Point at ACS (International) for its students and the community living in Holland Village. It was constituted as Holland Village Methodist Church on 8 July 2012.
We started The Hope Fund to support private boarders at Oldham Hall Boarding who come from difficult family backgrounds and need a safe, caring environment with pastoral support.
We celebrated our 60th anniversary at Max Atria under the theme “Redeemed, Return, Rejoice”, concluding the Thanksgiving Service with a mass anointing using hyssop and the distribution of a Prayer Guide.
The Migrant Worker ministry began in 2021 and resumed at Defu Industrial City dormitory in 2023 after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Monthly Community Nights and special festive outreach events continue to be held throughout the year.
Our Kindergarten received approval to operate under the name “Little Lights” for its preschool and kindergarten services, marking the rebranding of Barker Road Methodist Church Kindergarten to BRMC Little Lights Preschool.
What began as newcomer welcome lunches grew into the Hospitality Ministry, which now oversees the Welcome Corner and Information Booth, befriending efforts, and newcomer lunches.
Official opening of the preschool facilities at 3 & 5 Vanda Road in 2022, expanding BRMC Little Lights Preschool to include infant and child care services. The tenancy was later extended for another three years from 2025.
Following an incident of falling ceiling boards in the Sanctuary, the Sanctuary was closed for safety reasons and alternative venues were secured for the worship services from December 2023.
After an extensive Repairs & Redecoration Exercise, the “reimagined” Sanctuary was reopened and dedicated by Bishop Rev Philip Lim.
