How Did FBC Salinas Start?
On a spring day in 1869, two school teachers, Saphronia Harvey Clark and Clara Westlake Telford, along with mutual friends, discussed the need to start a Bible hour and singing time in their school room. They decided to form the Union Sunday School and launched it with a picnic on May 1st of that year.
To their delight, the Sunday school quickly grew. On the first Sunday in May 1874, with 16 members present, the Reverend WL Green preaches the first official sermon at Kern Hall on Main Street. Later in the year, a lot was purchased on W. Alisal where God made the way for a church building to be erected in 1875.
To allow room for a growing congregation, the building was then moved to a larger lot at the corner of Monterey and San Luis Streets. The church was remodeled, repaired and a new steeple added. Another move became necessary and a lot was purchased on the corner of California and Winham Streets. A new basement was dug at the site and concrete walls and floors were added. The current church auditorium was then moved thereon with services starting on Easter of 1936. The following year construction began on Phase Two which included a new larger auditorium. A parsonage was also purchased next door.
In the early 1960’s, the church body prayerfully sought a new and larger site to accommodate the growing congregation. They secured our current home on a four-acre lot at the corner of Blanco Road and San Vincente Avenue. Although the property was purchased a few years after this decision was made, the congregation carefully saved their money and eventually built the current facility, holding its first service here in 1975. Five years later the Fellowship Hall and Gym was completed with a kitchen and additional classrooms. In 1987 the Adult Fireside room and additional offices were completed.
A Legacy that Continues Today
First Baptist Church has a wonderful and rich history filled with the love of God and a heart for people, fulfilling Christ’s command to love God and love your neighbor. Today that core value continues to live on as we share the Gospel with all who will listen and to minister to those in our community. We have a loving and concerned body that has stayed the course through many generations. With God’s guidance we will continue to grow in the love and wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With such a long history, FBC Salinas has made it a priority to preserve the church’s history. We have cherished artifacts, maintained notes, and treasured our history as it not only plays a part in our past, but also propels us into the future. If you’re curious to learn more of the church’s history and how it fits into the history of the Salinas Valley, please contact the church office.
Historical Milestones
Schoolteachers Saphronia Clark & Clara Telford launch the Union Sunday School with a May 1st picnic.
Rev. WL Green preaches the first official sermon at Kern Hall on Main Street to 16 members.
The first church building is erected on W. Alisal as the congregation grows.
The building was moved to Monterey and San Luis Streets
The building was moved again to California and Winham Streets
The search began for a new site which would accommodate the growing church. 4 acres was found at the corner of Blanco Road and San Vincente Streets.
First service held in our current home — a four-acre campus at Blanco Rd & San Vincente Ave.
The next phase was completed which consisted of a Fellowship Hall/ gymnasium, kitchen, classrooms and playground.
The Adult Fireside room and additional offices were completed.
Volunteers present the first ‘Streets of Bethlehem,’ a living nativity and Biblical village on the night of Jesus’ birth.