Second Baptist Church History
To God be the Glory - Great things He hath done!
More than 100 years ago, 13 courageous and visionary people met at the Maple Avenue home of Deacon Willie and Deaconess Pinkie Watkins and organized a church fellowship. The first pastor, Reverend Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth had been appointed U.S. Army Chaplain of the 24th Infantry by President Grover Cleveland on April 1, 1886. Upon his retirement from the military, he founded the historic town of Allensworth, which is now a historic state park located in Tulare County, California. Tragically, Pastor Allensworth died on Sept. 14, 1914 from injuries sustained when he was struck by a motorcycle as he walked on Myrtle Avenue while apparently on his way to church.
By March of 1904 Second Baptist Church of Monrovia had incorporated and asked First Baptist Church of Monrovia to help them build a sanctuary. This all white congregation and their pastor, Dr. Russell Greaves donated $500. This was added to the $150 Second Baptist had raised. Land and lumber was purchased. With all the start up money spent for materials, Second Baptist members and other volunteers constructed a one room building on Duarte Avenue, two blocks north of our present location.
The City of Monrovia's 1915-1916 property assessment records show Second Baptist Church at Lot 15, Block 1 of the Myers Subdivision of Lots H & G, block 17, Addition No. 2 to Monrovia Tract. That means our first sanctuary was located at what is now 512 Royal Oaks Avenue. According to an October 1914 Monrovia News article about Rev. Russell Greaves, "a new church building at our original Duarte Avenue location was nearing completion." It measured 25 by 50 feet and is thought to be the wood frame church that is pictured in our 75th Anniversary calendar. Historical records show the church was moved to Shamrock and Maple. The writer apparently meant the physical building was moved. Pictures of the wood frame structure located on Duarte Avenue and the stucco building at Shamrock and Maple Avenues are very similar. The Monrovia City Directory for 1922-1923 gives the location for Second Baptist Church as being on Royal Oaks. The 1923 directory lists Second Baptist Church at its current address on Shamrock Avenue.
Our building program has always progressed to keep pace with our growing ministry outreach. With God's guidance, Reverend George Bailey's economically sound leadership and Bishop Wm. LaRue Dillard's visionary planning, we have prospered. In 1943 the church had 117 members, $201 in cash and a debt of $1,114.54. By August 27, 1944 the church was debt free. The mortgage was burned on the fourth Sunday in October. We began to build a new sanctuary 1948 and completed it the next July at a cost of $52,310.84.
In 1962, poor health forced Rev. Bailey to resign, but he later returned as Pastor. In 1973, he met a dynamic young clergyman named Wm. LaRue Dillard who subsequently served as Co-Pastor from January 1, 1974 until Rev. Bailey retired on March 29, 1974. On May 26, 1974, Dr. Dillard was officially installed as our 14th pastor.
Bishop Dillard has led us through some of our most productive times, spiritually, financially, and socially. The membership of Second Baptist Church now exceeds 1,300. Deacons Chuck Williams and Lonnie Stokes were appointed to chair the Building Commission in 1988. Their leadership and influence, coupled with the Commission and congregation's support and faith, resulted in our being able to move into the $1.6 million dollar state-of-the-art Fannie M. Goodwin Education and Conference Center in 1993 and open our bookstore in 1998. The mortgage was burned on November 11, 2006.