The Street Seen: First Baptist Church (Main St)
2417 - 2419 Main St @ Hollister
In 1892, the First Baptist Church is built on the east side of Main St near Hollister. In 1916, the congregation moves to a new building at 2701 2nd Street
Mission Sunday School (1889 - 1890)
In January 1890, G. B. Studd and J. O. Mathewson1 call for a Sunday school in Ocean Park. About forty-two persons gather at Mathewson’s house at the corner of Bay and 6th St. A non-denominational school is organized, and Andrew Mills2 is chosen as superintendent, a position he fills for six years. For a time, the school was held in the one-room schoolhouse at Ashland and 4th St, and then in 1890 in the rough cottage of Captain Clark at 4th and Strand. Neighboring pastors are frequently invited to preach here. J.O. Mathewson dies in 1890, and a memorial service is held at the school.
Baptist Church at Palms (1890 - 1892)
From February 1890 until November 1892, A. P. Brown, pastor of the Baptist Church at Palms, preaches on alternate Sunday afternoons in Ocean Park. In 1891, W. Y. Tinker, district secretary of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, proposes that an Ocean Park Baptist chapel be erected in commemoration of J. O. Mathewson.
Chapel on Main Street (1892 - 1895)
The first Baptist chapel in Santa Monica is built in Ocean Park at 2417 Main3 in 1892. In September 1892, the chapel is dedicated as a Mission branch of the Baptist Church at Palms. It costs $700, and is furnished with 100 chairs, a pulpit, and a baby organ. Daniel Read, of Los Angeles, preaches the dedicatory sermon.
During 1893 to 1894, H. S. Baker, pastor of the Baptist Church at Palms, preaches regularly in the Ocean Park chapel. In 1894, E.G.O. Groat is pastor at the Baptist Church at Palms for 6 months. In 1895, Thomason, pastor at the Baptist Church at Palms, preaches regularly. In June 1895, the church is encouraged by a visit from Rev. E. G. Wheeler. The same month, the annual convention of Southern California Baptists is held in the Ocean Park YMCA Pavilion.
Two Collapses (1896 - 1902)
In 1896, the Baptist Church at Palms is without a pastor, and ceases to exist. Interest falls off very quickly at Ocean Park, and services and Sunday School in Ocean Park are abandoned. In the summer 1896, French, who is in Ocean Park for his health (died 1903), holds services in the chapel and organizes a Baptist church of sixteen members, and a new Sunday school. However at the end of summer, French leaves Ocean Park and returns to his congregation.
In September 1896, T. F. Tooker takes charge of the little Ocean Park church and conducts the services and Sunday school. In 1897, the Christian Alliance occasionally holds prayer meetings in the chapel with some Baptists in attendance. In 1898, Charles Padley, an English graduate of Spurgeon's College, in London, moves to Santa Monica, and acts as pastor of the Ocean Park church until the spring of 1899.
After his departure Baptist interests, which have begun to decline, collapse and the Sunday school dies out. A. Mills organizes a Sunday School in the Santa Fe Pavilion, which in 1898 merges with the Methodist Sunday School in the same place.
Between 1899 and 1900, the Ocean Park M.E. Church is granted the use of the Main St building for their services until 1900, when they secure their own church.
Revival (1903 - 1916)
In December 1902, George Taylor, of Sawtelle, preaches in the Ocean Park Baptist chapel, and organizes the Santa Monica Baptist Church with fourteen members. The church is brought into connection with the Southern California Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission Society.
In February 1903, Louis Agassiz Gould (1855 – 1921) is called as pastor. In September 1903, the church is admitted into full membership with the Baptist Convention. In 1904, J.F. Jenkins is pastor; followed by S.M. White in 1909, A.T. Robinson in 1912, and C.S. Maddox in 1913.
Move to New Building (1916)
Under the leadership of C.S. Maddox, in 1916, the Main St property is sold, and a new, more substantial Baptist Church is constructed on the southeast corner of 2nd St and Hill St.
The 50-ft x 100-ft property is lot 34 & lot 35 of Block P of the Santa Monica Commercial Company Tract.