by Martha Glauthier - Curator and Past President
San Dimas Historical Society
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In the early days of San Dimas, there were no churches. The Episcopalians went to Covina, and the Methodists, Baptists and Catholics went to Pomona. However, after the San Dimas Grammar School was built in 1891, Sunday Schools and some church services were held there. Church services were also held in the J. W. Walker home. In 1895 the San Dimas Baptist Church was organized, largely through the efforts of James W. Walker and William M. Martin. (Mr. Walker was the owner of the lovely building on N. San Dimas Ave. at First Street, originally built as a hotel. Mr. Martin lived with his family on S. Cataract Street, and it is his house that the City has moved up to Bonita and Walnut. It now houses the Chamber of Commerce, the Festival of Western Arts, and the San Dimas Historical Society). These two men were most generous to the new church, and continued to be, for many years. There were twelve charter members - five women and seven men. Mr. & Mrs. Harry Walker were the youngest members of the group, having come to San Dimas as newly-weds in 1894. Harry was on the Building Committee, and plans were drawn. However, they proved to be too expensive, so were cut back until the size of the building matched the finances. In 1896 the Church building was completed, paid for, and dedicated, at a cost of $1,313. It was built on the northeast corner of Cataract and Commercial Streets. Mr. Hughes, a member of the San Jose Land Co. who laid out the town, gave the Church the two lots on which the church was built. |
The membership stood at about 35, many coming from Lordsburg, (La Verne) Pomona, and Covina. The Pomona Baptist Church helped the new little church by giving them a silver communion service and hymn books. Chairs were used at first, and a wood stove heated the building. A room was furnished upstairs with bed, dresser, etc., by the J. W. Walkers from the many sets of hotel furnishings which had come with their big house. It was a most comfortable room, and was used for visiting pastors and others. Hitching racks were a necessity in those early days, and Robert M. Teague furnished and installed them. The janitorial work was done by the ladies of the church, and this was extensive. Mrs. Walker remembered it as “sweeping ... dusting ... the bare floor had to be mopped, the lamps had to be filled and their chimneys cleaned. The stove was always kept polished. When we had baptismal services, the ladies had extra work in preparing the water for the baptistry. We had to heat the water in pails on coal oil stoves - a slow process that took an endless amount of time.” The first wedding was that of Lola Brownlee (daughter of the postmistress) and William Middleton, on March 15, 1898. From the beginning of the town, there was more development north of the railroad tracks than south, so in 1908 it was decided to move the church to a new location at 2nd Street and San Dimas Ave. and to do some remodeling. Following the original plans, this was done. The tower was added, and stained glass windows in the sanctuary. This was completed and paid for, by October of that year. In the 1980’s it became apparent that a great deal of restoration needed to be done, so first the education building east of the main church was refurbished. Then David Sweetland with his wife and son arrived to renovate the sanctuary, The Sweetlands were “missionary builders” - traveling the country helping churches repair old buildings and build new. With their leadership, the work was done, and the Church rededicated on May 3, 1987. Having now passed its Centennial, the First Baptist Church of San Dimas continues to serve the community and spread the “good word”. |