HISTORY OF THE

First Baptist Church
of
San Bernardino, California

1866 - 1916
~
Jubilee Volume
by

Rev. Arthur Polk Brown, A. M., B. D.

First Baptist Church

1905

UNDER the shadows of the Mountain of Mystery, where the flaming Arrowhead once fell, and marked its resting place on the mountainside. in the Valley of the Guachamas, the old Franciscan Monks established a mission in 1810. Through the dread earthquake of 1812 came an uprising and massacre by the Indians. and the burning of the rude mission of Politano. Under Hipolito, the Chief of the Guachama tribe, the Indians had worked to build the little capilla, for he had welcomed Captain Anza here thirty-six years before, and eagerly helped to dig the ditches and plant the fields for the first crops, while his people tended the flocks and herds of sheep and cattle brought in by the monks.

They helped to rebuild what they had destroyed in sudden fury, and for many years the mission prospered, developing into the present Catholic church of the City of San Bernardino. It was through this first settlement that our city got its name and first character.

Many years after, in 1851, a strange caravan was seen toiling through the rugged El Cajon Pass, with the old canvass-covered emigrant wagons, loaded with household goods and implements, followed by herds of cattle. It was the Mormons from Great Salt Lake, come to found a colony in California, directed to settle where they saw the sign of the Arrowhead pointing down to springs of healing water. Soon the valley took on new life under the industrious work of Captain Hunt and his hardy pioneers, farms were started, orchards planted, and a spacious city was laid out, on the same liberal plan as that of Salt Lake City, with running water in every street, that soon became famous for its beauty. But they were recalled to Salt Lake by Brigham Young, and many left, selling out their farms at ridiculous prices to the eager new-comers who had heard of the hegira. With those who revolted and chose to remain in this rich valley, the new immigrants soon had a thriving little community, that grew richer, even through the great flood years of the early 60's. Into this charming valley came Rev. I. C. Curtis, from Iowa; crossing the plains and mountains in an ox-wagon, with his family, a wife and ten children. This was in 1864.

They found here a few other Baptists, of whom Dr. Benjamin Barton and his wife were earnest for the up building of the moral life of the community. At first a Methodist church had been organized in the little Union chapel which the community had erected as a center of their religious life. Mrs. Barton was a constituent member of this church, organized in May, 1866. But the Baptists found several of their own faith, and one of these, a preacher; they called a meeting for organization, and, in the language of the records of that day, "According to previous arrangement the church met at the Methodist meeting-house at early candle lighting, and after preaching by Elder I. C. Curtis, the church was organized. The following named persons, Elder I. C. Curtis and Lucy M., his wife, Benjamin Barton, Wm. F. Shackelford and Ruth, his wife, Robert Long, Hulda Johnson, Ezra Kerfoot and Mildred M., his wife, and Sarah C. Kerfoot, their daughter (now Mrs. Rolfe) were constituted a Baptist church to be known by the name of the Baptist Church of Jesus Christ of San Bernardino. Elder Richard C. Friar, of El Monte, assisting in the organization. The Covenant and Articles of Faith were adopted in their briefer form." Brother Wm. F. Shackelford was elected and ordained deacon, and Ezra Kerfoot was elected clerk. Rev. I. Fuqua of Spadra was also present, and on the following day, Sunday, November 11, he preached in the forenoon, and Elder Friar in the evening. On December 15, 1866, the church called Elder I. C. Curtis to become their first pastor, and he at once began his duties, preaching here the third Sunday of each month. Their business meetings were held at 2:30 p. m. on the Saturday before the preaching services. Elder Curtis, as appears from the records, was ordained to the ministry in Marion County, Iowa, February 22, 1851, at the Nassau school house, Rev. John Bond acting as Moderator, and William Elliott, Clerk. New members began to come in at once, of whom Mary E. Hays and T. J. Wood were the first. The Curtis family, thus early identified with the church and its founding, has never lacked an interest to this day, and the children to the third and fourth generations are still faithful members and workers, loyal to the early covenant and heroic spirit of the founders.

In June, 1869, the first Baptist Association in Southern California met at El Monte, and this church sent as delegates, Dr. Benjamin Barton, T. J. Wood, Robert Long and Ezra Kerfoot.

On July 17, 1869, Elder J. A. Freeman preached for the church, and delegates were appointed to attend the Baptist Association at Los Nietos. He preached for some time for the church, being one of those four pioneer Baptist preachers who plowed corn during the week, toiling for a living, but faithfully preached the gospel on Sunday, laying the foundations for many of our best and strongest churches for today. The first church they organized, at El Monte, in 1853, the oldest in all Southern California, met an early and appropriate fate when its building was swept down the San Gabriel river in the great flood. The San Bernardino church was the second one organized by the Baptists, and is now the oldest living one, since El Monte went out of existence.

The next preacher mentioned is Elder D. G. Loveall, who preached during parts of 1872 and on until 1875, though never regularly installed as pastor. His name sounds good, and in those days of keen strife and border roughness his quality was much needed. Judge W. J. Curtis, one of the children of the first pastor, thus describes the town as it was when he first saw it in 1864. "It then appeared a quiet little village of some 50 to 75 adobe and board buildings scattered over the mile square, the original survey of the town, which is now the territory between First and Ninth streets, and A and I streets. The most of the business houses were on Third street between C and D streets. The largest store was on C street, in the building now used as a school, between Third and Fourth."

May 10, 1873, the church voted that, as the Methodist church wanted the use of their building at the time, the church should engage the hall owned by Judge Boren as their meeting place. This gave them a place to themselves, and here Elder Loveall preached for them until February, 1875. At a meeting, February 13, Rev. John Francis visited the church, preaching earnest missionary sermons and raising an offering of $13.50 for missions in Southern California. A reorganization of the church with new officers was voted, and Rev. J. P. Ludlow, of San Francisco, was elected pastor. T. M. Parsons and A. R. Nevers were chosen Deacons, Theodore Starr was made Clerk, and Dr. Benjamin Barton, Robert King and George Hisom were elected trustees. There were 28 members at this time, and a committee was appointed to raise funds for the support of the church. They were also shifting their meeting place, finding a home in the Presbyterian Church for awhile. On April 22 it was voted to change the name of the organization to The First Baptist Church of San Bernardino, and the new by-laws were provided for through a committee; $35.00 per month was reported raised by subscription. At this same meeting, Dr. J. Allen and wife were received from the San Diego church, and at once took strong interest in the work. As the church had no regular meeting place, they invited them to meet in their home, at the corner of Seventh and F streets, and here we find them meeting July 7, 1875. At this meeting the church decided to call Rev. G. W. Allen to become their pastor, and made formal application to the American Baptist Home Missionary society for aid in his support. Soon after this they rented the Y. P. C. A. hall for services, at $2.00 per Sabbath.

Rev. Geo. W. Allen

1875 - 1877

Rev. George W. Allen came from New Senden, Ohio, to take charge of the church, and began his pastorate September 1, 1875, and the work went forward with much encouragement in their new meeting-place in the Anker block. A Sunday school was organized, the children gathered in and instructed, and covenant meetings were regularly held. On December 1, 1875, the trustees were instructed to raise the money and buy a lot on which to build a church edifice, now so sorely needed. Early in the next year plans for a brick church, 70 by 36, were adopted, and effort begun to raise the money. In the meanwhile hall rent had gone up to $15 per month, and April 1 a change was made to the Sparks hall. Of the spiritual condition of the church we read at this time that every member present took part in their meetings, and much feeling was manifest. In renewing their application to the Home Mission Society for aid they asked for $400 for the year beginning August 1, 1876, as "the pecuniary condition of the church was not very promising." This year the Southern Pacific Railroad was completed into Los Angeles from the north, and that sleepy city of 11,000 people, with only $200,000 assessed valuation, began to wake up. In 1874 a Baptist Church had been organized there, and lots in the center of town could be bought for $50.00 each, but our churches did not realize the future, nor buy choice locations. Farms at the city's edge could be bought for $5.00 an acre. In September, 1876, the Los Angeles Association met with the church, T. M. Parsons, George Hisom and Dr. J. Allen serving on the reception committee, and Sisters Rhoda Edgars, Josie Hisom, Emma Allen and S. C. Owen acting as entertainment committee, and Deacon T. M. Parsons, A. R. Nevers, Jacob Allen, John Culbertson, George Hisom and Rev. D. G. Loveall representing the church as delegates. There were ten Baptist churches in all the southern end of the State then, at El Monte, Downey, Pleasant Valley, Spadra, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Riverside, all of them weak and beset with difficulties.

The year 1876 was a hard one for San Bernardino, as they were compelled to give up the lot on which they had made a payment in January, being unable to meet their payments, and running behind also in the payment of their pastor. On August 2, 1877, Pastor Allen tendered his resignation, which was accepted. That year the Association met at Downey.

Rev. S. S. Fiske was called as pastoral supply until the first of the next year, and accepted, beginning his work in September. Committees were appointed on Finance, Strangers, Baptism, Choir, Pulpit.

In April, 1878, Chaplain C. C. Bateman held a series of revival meetings with the church, at which many were converted and baptized. among the number Sisters Ella McDonald, Laura Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Daley. New life came into the church, the Sunday School was reorganized, Davies hall was secured as a meeting place and Brother Bateman, Jr., was engaged to preach during his three months' vacation. In the autumn Dr. Forbes of River- side was engaged as supply, preaching for a few Sabbaths. About this time a sensational trial was held in the church against a member who had obtained groceries and failed to pay his bill, and had borrowed several sums of money from members and failed to pay back. He was found guilty, but begged hard for time to pay up, which was granted him. He utterly failed either to prove his innocence, or repay; so, after many postponements, he was finally unanimously excluded for dishonesty. This trial shows the high standards of business integrity then insisted upon. This affair occupied much time in the business meetings for several months. But the offending member came before the church later, confessed his wrong. showed that he had paid up, and was restored to fellowship.

Rev. Chas. Button, D. D.

1880 - 1882

This trial and its debating took nearly two years to settle, and had the usual depressing effect on the church. On October 9, 1880, at a called meeting, the church extended a call to Rev. Charles Button, D. D., pastor at Riverside, to supply the pulpit for one year, giving a part of his time to each church. The salary for this part time supply was fixed at $400 for the year . Dr. Button's tireless energy and good preaching soon began to show decided results, and in the summer of 1881 he was authorized to spend his vacation in the East, there to solicit funds for erecting a house of worship for the church.

The delegates to the Association that fall were B. H. Ryder, George Hisom and wife, T. M. Parsons, Ada Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Pratt, and Ellen Ballard. At this meeting, where they were appointed, the Trustees were authorized "to sell the building lot now owned by the church and purchase a lot on Third street, as proposed by the Trustees."

The building on the Third street lot, near the corner of F street, was erected by the unselfish toil and giving of all. The members worked zealously to secure the $500.00 which Dr. Button had raised, supplementing this with their own offerings, and those who could not contribute money gave freely of their labor, till at last success crowned their efforts, the church was done.

And now the women stepped in and determined to furnish it. So they organized a Ladies' Society, which raised over $400.00 with which they bought the furnishings. They took for their motto in their society, "Work, but NO Gossip."

On June 3, 1882, the Building Committee made its report, showing how they had managed the building enterprise.

On July 1, Dr. Button resigned, that he might devote all his time to the rapidly growing church at Riverside, and a committee was appointed to secure another pastor.

A painful episode came up about this time, in the trial of Rev. D. G. Loveall for heresy. He was accused of teaching that the Sabbath was not to be observed, and that the church had been rejected of God and was only a human institution and should be dissolved. After trial he was excluded from the church for thus violating his covenant in advancing such teachings, and his papers as a minister were recalled.

After Dr. Charles Button had led the church near F, the church called Rev. John Fulton as their pastor.

Rev. John Fulton, of anti-Catholic fame, Was elected pastor October 21, 1882, and aid was asked from the Home Mission Society to the extent of $400,00 per year. The church could not have sustained its public services in those trying days without the ready help extended by the Missionary Society, and we owe a lasting debt of gratitude to the denomination for their timely aid, which we should as generously pass on to other struggling churches today. The church loaned their pastor to preach one Sunday each month at Banning, thus helping to get a new church well started there, which was duly recognized as a church in March, 1883.

A committee appointed at this time reported that additional frontage could be purchased next the church for $20 a foot, which would have been a fine investment for the greater future, which they did not then realize.

Among the new members received in these pastorates were Dr. H. H. Guthrie and wife, Frank Harvey, wife and daughters, and Julia A. Dickson, all from St. Charles, Minnesota, received by Dr. Button, and A. W. Barnum and wife, Alfred L. Patton and Laura Patton, Sister A. E. Emery, Fred B. Moore, B. Howard and wife Cordelia, E. R. Cartwright and Jane Cartwright, W. G., Mary and Emma Hopkins, and Mrs. Josephine Magoffin were among those received during Rev. Fulton's pastorate. There was a total of 47 received by letter and experience and 17 by baptism during his pastorate, some of whom are still active members with us. Missionary aid was continued during the whole pastorate, which ended September 21, 1884.

Rev. H. I. Parker, on October 12, 1884, was asked to act as pastoral supply for the church, and continued to preach for them for several months. Early in January, 1885, a Sunday School was organized at Lugonia (now Redlands), and on January 11, 16 Baptists living there were authorized to act independently, as a branch of this church in receiving and dismissing members, thus starting the Redlands church on its fine career. Most of these were members of the church here. Dr. Parker died in January, 1885, and Rev. E. C. Hamilton supplied the pulpit here for two months, and then Dr. Gilbert S. Bailey preached for two months.

Rev. Thomas Phillips

1885 - 1887

In April, 1885, correspondence was opened with Rev. Thomas Phillips, of Conneaut, Ohio, with a view to securing him as pastor, and on April 5 a call was extended to him, with an offer of help in his moving expenses. He accepted the call, and began his pastorate July 12, 1885.

He was a graduate of Rochester Theological Seminary, and had been pastor at Conneaut, Ohio, for a year before coming to California.

He and his honored wife took hold of the work with much enthusiasm. Third street then was a rude roadway, with cobblestone walks, on whose rough stones the Indians loved to sit and watch the passers-by. A malt house was on one corner of Third and E streets, an open horse corral on another, and only a few houses and shacks for business west to the site of the Baptist church.

But under Pastor Phillips' directions and inspiration an addition was built onto the edifice for Sunday School and social purposes. Lots were also secured at both Redlands and Oceanside for newly organizing Baptist churches at these places.

It must be remembered that there were as yet no railroads in the city, passengers coming over from Colton junction in busses. But very soon the Southern California railroad built in from San Diego, becoming soon after a part of the Santa Fe system, and a motor road was built from Riverside to San Bernardino, thus bringing rapid growth and prosperity to the young city. The church grew in numbers, long standing difficulties were settled, out-stations were established, Brother Phillips alternating with Dr. Button in holding services at Colton, and the church welcomed to its membership by baptism such staunch members as Judge J. W. Curtis, and counting among its strong members, Dr. B. Barton, Dr. H. H. Guthrie, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Howard, Miss Mary Barton, E. R. Cartwright, T. M. Parsons, Mrs. W. J. Curtis.

A most gracious revival was experienced with Evangelist A. P. Graves as the preacher, and quite a few were baptized.

The Los Angeles Association, which then embraced all the Baptist churches in Southern California, held its annual sessions here in 1886. New By-laws were adopted this year, the manual of J. Newton Brown, with some local additions, being adopted. The report to the Association for 1885 shows that the church had 101 members, had received 8 by letter, and lost 7. They had a Sunday School enrollment of 80, with an average attendance of 45, and they gave $631.15 for church expenses, and $43.46 for the Sunday School, with an offering of $29.70 for Foreign Missions. Their delegates were Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Parsons, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Guthrie, Mr. and Mrs. B. Howard, George Hisom, Mrs. J. Magoffin, C. C. Breck and Mrs. Ann Palmer. The church roll was corrected by the dropping from the roll of all those who had been absent from the services for the space of one year or more. The Baptist hymnals were secured for the music of the church. Six members were lost to the Holiness church in 1886. The report to the Association, which met with this church that year, showed 87 members, 6 baptized, 9 others added; $1,790 raised for church expenses; for Sunday School, $40.40; for Publication Society, $22.00; for Home Missions, $60 ; for Education, $10; for Foreign Missions, $51- a total of $2,034.40.

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