Church History

Would you believe that there once was a church that met in a tent in La Jolla? That was the humble beginnings for the First Baptist Church of La Jolla.

Two years later, when the church got its first building, members felt they had arrived and things were looking good. But then again, that's what everybody thought in 1929 before the stock market crashed.

The depression was on. Many things disappeared during the depression - banks, farms, whole communities dried up in places around the country, and yes, even churches withered - but the First Baptist Church of La Jolla survived and this year (2002) celebrates its 75th year on the corner of Genter and Draper Streets.

"We've been a witness and will continue to be a witness for Christ from here, " says pastor Brian Fairley.

The history of the church begins in 1927 when 14 families living in La Jolla called themselves Baptists and, along with help from the San Diego Baptist Mission, decided to form a church meeting in a tent on the corner. It's said that there was opposition to the church at the time, that it was felt La Jolla did not need another church.

The tent lasted for two years when St. James Episcopal Church donated a building that had been on its grounds. The building had been designed by architect Irving Gill and built for Virginia Scripps. She called it, "her church." Dragged up the hill it housed the congregation until the mid 1950's.

The 1940's saw a huge influx of servicemen to all of San Diego and many of them came to the small Baptist church on the hill. After the war as the community grew, so did the church (at one point 285 people attending its Sunday School) and a decision was made to build a new, larger sanctuary. By 1958 that was a reality with the new building opened in March. The main sanctuary was inspired by the design of Viking warships. The massive curving pine pillars mirror ribs of a ship turned upside down.

Today the church occupies the area from Arenas Street to Genter Street along Draper Street. The four building complex includes the main church building, the original Scripp's church building - now used as Fellowship Hall - a Christian Education building, and a small house that is used for offices and meetings.

The weekend of November 16-17th was used to commemorate the 75 years by way of a special Saturday Evening Dinner and a Sunday Service where many of the former pastors, as well as former members attended. The main speaker was Dr. Lowell Fairley, the father of the man who is the current pastor. Reverend Brian Fairley has served the longest time in the history of the church, celebrating his 15th year at First Baptist early in 2003.

Past Pastors
Reverend D. G. Cowles 1926-1927
Reverend W. H. Blanchard 1927-1931
Reverend Edgar Wollam 1931-1936
Reverend B. R. Hutto 1936-1939
Reverend Rolland Meyer 1939-1942
Reverend Lewis Coates 1942-1943
Reverend Earl Reeves 1943-1950
Reverend Cyril I. Reid 1951-1958
Reverend William E. Vaught 1959-1967
Reverend William Cravens 1968-1976
Reverend Robert Pratt 1976-1980
Reverend Don Loomer 1981-1987

Interim Pastor
Dr. William Prigger 1987-1988

Current Pastor
Reverend Brian Fairley 1988-present