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 WT 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.
The church continued to grow and move as the need arose. 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.
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. WT 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.
First service held in our current home — a four-acre campus at Blanco Rd & San Vincente Ave.