Emmanuel Church began in 1859 with services being held in the 1787 school/free church called “the Brook “ near present day Dumbarton and Brook Roads. The Rev. Richard Hooker Wilmer held services there until the present day church was built. John Stewart, of Brook Hill, donated the land, the funds to build the church, and supported the minister with the help of his brother Daniel Kerr Stewart. The Right Reverend John Johns consecrated and named the Gothic Revival style church "Emmanuel", God With Us, on July 6,1860. The 200 seat capacity church was known as The Little Church in the Pine Woods because it set back off of Brook Road in a grove of pines.

 During the Civil War, troops from both sides camped on the grounds when traveling on the Brook Turnpike. There is a Confederate Cemetery within the church graveyard. The church weathered the war with only minor vandalism occurring at the end when northern troops were returning home.

 The Joseph Bryan Building, constructed in the English Tudor style, was built on the property in 1910 to be used as a parish hall, offices and parochial school. The school remained open until 1950. In 2007 the building was refurbished and renamed the Bryan Education Center. It now includes a media center, computer lab, and The Reverend Canon Reginald H. Fuller Chapel. In 1957, a new parish hall and offices were added to the left side of the church with a breezeway connecting them.

 The church, stained glass memorial windows, catechetical tablets, and the 23-rank Heissler tracker organ are reminders of our historic past as well as signs of our unchanging purpose: to proclaim the glad tidings of Jesus Christ and to serve the community and the world in His name.

 Emmanuel today, sits on 17 acres of beautiful grounds and is an active congregation of over 400 members. Our mission continues and we extend a warm welcome to all visitors.

Emmanuel celebrated it 150th anniversary in 2010.  For detailed information on our celebration click HERE.