Los Gatos
California
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First Baptist Community Church Of Los Gatos
About Us:
The year was 1912. Woodrow Wilson was elected 28th president of the United States. Two new states were added to the United States of America; New Mexico and Arizona. Becoming the 47th and 48th States the only two States remained to be added later. A first class postage stamp cost $0.02 and the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Giants in the World Series four games to three. And, probably the most famous event in 1912 occurred April 14, 1912 when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. The world, also, was moving toward a conflict that would involve much of the world.
Into this world situation the First Baptist Church of Los Gatos extended a call to the Rev. Robert Whitaker to become their pastor. The First Baptist Church had been a fundamental, Bible believing church from its beginning. The church had carried on a faithful witness to the small town of Los Gatos. In the ensuing two years a conflict was brewing within the congregation.
The year was 1914. After unsettling events simmered in Europe the Archduke of Austria Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophia were assassinated. This event began the First World War. In 1914 the first red and green traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio and the Boston Braves swept the Philadelphia A’s in the World Series. Also, to ease the voyage of ships the Panama Canal was opened.
Into this situation twelve families of the First Baptist Church could no longer support the pastorate of Rev. Robert Whitaker. He had fallen further and further into liberalism and socialism. He was actually arrested in the pulpit for preaching that young men should not go to war. Knowing that rescuing the current situation was impossible these twelve families called N. L. Freeman to become the pastor of a new First Baptist Church. The ensuing years saw the closing of the “original” First Baptist Church and the growing of the newly formed First Baptist Church. A member of our church who was part of the original group was asked a few years ago, “What became of the original Baptist Church?” Her response was, “It died of course! They had no message.”
In the following 90 plus years the First Baptist Church has had 13 senior pastors and numerous assistants. We have worshipped in three building. Our original building was at College and Main Streets in downtown Los Gatos where the current Penthouse apartments stands. In approximately 1960 the church voted to build a new facility on Farley Road. Then, in 1973 we purchased our current facilities from the Los Gatos Christian Church.
In all these years one main focus has characterized our church; a commitment to the Word of God. Our church was born out of a commitment to biblical truth. The twelve families who were the founding members were not willing to allow the gospel and biblical truth to be lost. Since 1914 our pastors and congregation have kept that belief alive. We have been, continue to be, and by God’s grace will always be an independent, fundamental Baptist Church. We are currently in affiliation with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. The GARBC is a fellowship of like-minded Baptist Churches committed to the Word of God. In a brief history of First Baptist Church written by Miss Ina Matheson, a member who was part of the original group as a young person, made an important statement. She said, our “orthodoxy is not derived from these affiliations.” She is so right. Our orthodoxy is derived from the Word of God.
Many fads have come and gone over these past 90 years. Many personalities have come and gone. Much history has been lived out in our world. Certainly the world of 1912 or 1914 is quite different from the world of the 21st century. But, what remains true is the Word of God. May it ever be our constant guiding principles.
The year was 1912. Woodrow Wilson was elected 28th president of the United States. Two new states were added to the United States of America; New Mexico and Arizona. Becoming the 47th and 48th States the only two States remained to be added later. A first class postage stamp cost $0.02 and the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Giants in the World Series four games to three. And, probably the most famous event in 1912 occurred April 14, 1912 when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. The world, also, was moving toward a conflict that would involve much of the world.
Into this world situation the First Baptist Church of Los Gatos extended a call to the Rev. Robert Whitaker to become their pastor. The First Baptist Church had been a fundamental, Bible believing church from its beginning. The church had carried on a faithful witness to the small town of Los Gatos. In the ensuing two years a conflict was brewing within the congregation.
The year was 1914. After unsettling events simmered in Europe the Archduke of Austria Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophia were assassinated. This event began the First World War. In 1914 the first red and green traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio and the Boston Braves swept the Philadelphia A’s in the World Series. Also, to ease the voyage of ships the Panama Canal was opened.
Into this situation twelve families of the First Baptist Church could no longer support the pastorate of Rev. Robert Whitaker. He had fallen further and further into liberalism and socialism. He was actually arrested in the pulpit for preaching that young men should not go to war. Knowing that rescuing the current situation was impossible these twelve families called N. L. Freeman to become the pastor of a new First Baptist Church. The ensuing years saw the closing of the “original” First Baptist Church and the growing of the newly formed First Baptist Church. A member of our church who was part of the original group was asked a few years ago, “What became of the original Baptist Church?” Her response was, “It died of course! They had no message.”
In the following 90 plus years the First Baptist Church has had 13 senior pastors and numerous assistants. We have worshipped in three building. Our original building was at College and Main Streets in downtown Los Gatos where the current Penthouse apartments stands. In approximately 1960 the church voted to build a new facility on Farley Road. Then, in 1973 we purchased our current facilities from the Los Gatos Christian Church.
In all these years one main focus has characterized our church; a commitment to the Word of God. Our church was born out of a commitment to biblical truth. The twelve families who were the founding members were not willing to allow the gospel and biblical truth to be lost. Since 1914 our pastors and congregation have kept that belief alive. We have been, continue to be, and by God’s grace will always be an independent, fundamental Baptist Church. We are currently in affiliation with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. The GARBC is a fellowship of like-minded Baptist Churches committed to the Word of God. In a brief history of First Baptist Church written by Miss Ina Matheson, a member who was part of the original group as a young person, made an important statement. She said, our “orthodoxy is not derived from these affiliations.” She is so right. Our orthodoxy is derived from the Word of God.
Many fads have come and gone over these past 90 years. Many personalities have come and gone. Much history has been lived out in our world. Certainly the world of 1912 or 1914 is quite different from the world of the 21st century. But, what remains true is the Word of God. May it ever be our constant guiding principles.