Our History:

Under God’s leading in 1961, twenty-seven adults and children met together in the home of Art and Gloria Poland for our first Sunday morning of worship, Bible study and Christian fellowship.  Dr. Paul Ray, head of Church Extension for American Baptist Churches of Pacific Southwest, brought the first message.  God blessed these efforts by enabling the self-supporting First Baptist Church of Big Bear Valley to become established during the early 60’s with 97 charter members (including 17 children).

The small congregation leased a 3 acre parcel of land on October 15, 1961 from Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, owner of the lake water and early owner of much of the land around the lake.  Volunteers built the little white church in the pines 1 ½ miles to the east of the village of Big Bear Lake.  On April 16, 1969, the Southwest Region was able to buy that parcel of land, together with the adjacent ¾ acre lot covered by the China Garden Road Easement for $26,500 and hold it in trust for the congregation.

As time moved along and the congregation grew, the church building also expanded.  The Christian Education wing was added to the east within the first year after the congregation moved into the new building.  In 1973 property was purchased within the new housing tract on McWhinney Lane, where the parsonage was constructed in 1974.  The Fellowship Hall was added in 1980 to accommodate the growing Sunday school classes.   In 1988, the Early Childhood Education Center (preschool) was established and licensed by the state of California.  In 1996, the administrative offices were added on the east of the church, and the worship Center was extended toward the boulevard.  In 1998, the nursery portion of the education wing was expanded.  Early in 2001, clear title to our 3 ¾ acre property was purchased from the Pacific Southwest Region for $26,500.

For the past 50 years, First Baptist has served the Lord by preaching the Gospel and teaching God’s Word to the people of Big Bear Valley.  We stand ready to continue in that heritage and look to the future with a sense of renewed vigor and purpose.