Vallejo oldest formally organized black church celebrates 106th year By Irma Widjojo / Times Herald staff writer More than a century ago, a group of African American worshippers at Cornell (now First) Baptist Church decided to start their own church. This year, the offshoot known as Second Baptist Church, is celebrating its 106th anniversary. The founding group decided to form Second Baptist due to a comment made by the Cornell Church pastor at an Easter service in 1907, according to a 1982 Times-Herald report. Current Second Baptist Church Pastor Fleetwood E. Irving said the pastor then made a comment that the black church members should find themselves another church. “So they did!” Irving said. On Sept. 14, 1907, the small group met at the home of J.L. Malone at 135 Carolina St., and its first service was held in a rented room in a Sacramento Street building, according to the church’s website. A local historical author Sharon McGriff-Payne said the church is the oldest known formally organized black church in Vallejo. At its peak, the church had up to 4,000 members, Irving said. A stark contrast to the relatively small number of about 250 members it now has. The decline, Irving said, is seen across the board. Irving, as the moderator of St. John District Association and vice president at large of the California Missionary Baptist Convention, oversees hundreds of churches across the state. He said the declining number of parishioners at Second Baptist Church stemmed from a couple of things, mainly the growing number of churches in the city, and the rise of the technology. “More people are going on websites and televisions for their services,” Irving said, referring to churches who broadcast their services. “People don’t come to church anymore. We’re losing the Millenial generation all over the country.” He said as Second Baptist’s pastor since 1979, he has been looking at different ways to attract young worshippers. “We are continuing in prayer, but we’re also trying to revamp and make changes with our youth ministry, by offering programs that will entice young people,” Irving said. He added that the church has been hosting more outreach events for the community, like blood drives and having a Hispanic congregation. The 106th anniversary celebration is also an invitation for past members, and the public, to see what the church has to offer. The event will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday with a morning service, followed by a hot meal for everyone. The church is at 1170 Benicia Road. “We give all the glory to God for the growth of the church over the years,” Irving said. “We’ll celebrate it together.” Contact staff writer Irma Widjojo at 553-6835 or iwidjojo@timesheraldonline. com.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:00:01 +0000
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