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First Baptist Church was incorporated in May of 1894. With a humble beginning in a private home, the congregation of pioneer settlers to the Long Beach area quickly grew to the point where they established their first permament church building. That original building was located on the corner that is currently 4th Street and Locust Avenue. Growing as quickly as its host city, the congregation eventually outgrew their facility and in 1950 embarked on an ambitious program to raise the funds for a new and, at the time, modern facility that would meet the growing needs for future generations of its members. It was to be a model of efficiency, space and feature the most modern conveniences of the time. It was such an architectural wonder that it was featured in magazines such as the Architectural Digest. The construction of the main portion of the building (the auditorium, two chapels, dining room, kitchen, etc.) was begun in the year 1950. These facilities served for seven years until construction began on the "north" part of the building (North Chapel, nursery facilities, extra Sunday School rooms, full-size gymnasium, etc.) in the year 1957. The building in floor space is a little over 120,000 square feet... All of it used down to the smallest closet. The Lord blessed us mightily with this marvelous facility and our gratitude and thanks will be never ending! This tour will help acquaint you (to a small extent) with a building that can at times seem overwhelming. Our tour guides will be happy to answer any questions that you may have concerning this tour. And if something should occur to you at a latter time, please feel free to contact anyone of us at the Church office and we will be delighted to help you with your questions. |
