Our History

In 1675, before the arrival of William Penn, four Walton brothers moved to a place where game was plentiful and streams abounded with fish. According to our church records, the Walton brothers named their settlement Byberry, which means Castle on a Hill.

By 1860 the population grew to over 1000 people. A part-time mission named Byberry Baptist Chapel was established in 1871 offering afternoon services. In time, the chapel located on Byberry Road in Far Northeast Philadelphia became a full-time, independent Baptist church.
In 1986, under the leadership of Pastor Robert Zweitzig, our church adopted a Biblical Constitution, changed its name to Berean Bible Church to reflect our passion to study the inerrant Word of God, and established a lighthouse logo.

The Berean name is derived from Acts 17:11 where it says about the people in the town of Berea: “They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The lighthouse symbolizes our church focus on outreach – to be a light that beams forth the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14 KJV

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 KJV