Emmanuel Brinklow

Our History

Emmanuel-Brinklow^* Seventh-day Adventist Church, formerly the Sandy Spring Seventh-day Adventist Church, stands as a testimony to the miraculous blessings of God.

The church history starts in August 1962 when Sarah P. Wills returned to Maryland from Oakland, California with a burden to start a church in the Sandy Spring Community. Others joined Sister Wills in her mission and an evangelistic campaign, conducted by Elder Walter M. Starks, commenced July 21, 1963. The crusade resulted in the baptism of 13 precious souls on October 5, and Emmanuel was born. Five more were baptized on December 21, and the church began to move forward. It was formally organized on February 1, 1964 by Allegheny Conference president, William L. Cheatham.

At its inception, Emmanuel was an interracial church with 30 faithful members. Today, the church’s membership exceeds 900—hailing from more than 25 countries. Although the church worshipped in seven different locations during the first seven
Emmanuel Choir

years, the generous donation of two acres of land by Jefferson and Sarah Wills provided a permanent site that has been home to the congregation for over 30 years. It was with great rejoicing that the first church building — now renamed Wills Chapel — was completed in April 1972 (and the mortgage was burned in 1986). The current edifice, erected adjacent to the original building, was completed on October 6, 1993, and the associated mortgage was retired two years early in December 2001.

Over the years, the church has benefited from the dedicated service of many pastors: Walter M. Starks; Garland P. Walker; Edward Richardson; Robert E. Osborne; Mack W. Wilson; Arthur A. Ward; William E. Hall; Wintley A. Phipps; Henry J. Fordham, III; St. Clare Phipps; Melvyn E. Hayden, Jr.; Timothy Henderson; Trevor Kinlock, assistant pastor (2002-2005); Noah Washington, assistant pastor (2005-2008); Marcellus T. Robinson, senior pastor (2000-2008), and Moses E. Eli, associate pastor (2008-2010). Today, Brinklow's leadership team consists of Anthony A. Medley, senior pastor and Gary L. Wimbish, executive pastor for administration. The Original Brinklow

All praise, honor and glory be to God for His leading in the birth and growth of this congregation. We have nothing to fear for the future, except we forget how God has led us in the past.

^*^{Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church is the official name of the church. It is affectionately called “Emmanuel-Brinklow” or just “Brinklow” to distinguish it from other Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Greater Washington metropolitan area}Our Stained-Glass Window is more than pretty colors ...
The focal point of the window in the front of our sanctuary is Christ, Emmanuel who is portrayed as coming agin as the earth's true redeemer. Encompassing Him is an innumerable company of radient heavenly beings on velvety clouds. His feet rest upon warming flames as seen by the true believers, but a blazing inferno to those who reject His welcome. Emanating from His heart are seven major rays that symbolize perfection. His left hand is extended downward in a gesture of greeting. His right hand point upward to heaven, where there will be eternal peace, joy, and learning. Surrounding Christ is a rainbow as foretold by the prophet Ezekiel, in the multitude of heavenly angels are seven angels blowing seven golden trumpets, aggressively proclaiming that the Lord of all is triumphantly coming again.