2005.52.101D

The First Baptist Church of Oakland was organized on December 7, 1854--the same year that the City was incorporated as a community of 750 people. Shortly thereafter, the small church of six members (including two carpenters) completed the first church building of any protestant group in Oakland. Construction of a large church, seating 750 members, was started in July, 1868 at the corner of 14th and Brush. Deacon N. J. Thompson was near the top of the steeple when the great earthquake of 1868 occurred; he yelled down to his companions to stop the foolishness: shaking the steeple! This church burned down in 1902. Following the burning of the church at 14th and Brush, the congregation made the daring move to the present location at 534-22nd Street. The construction of the Romanesque Revival building was started in 1903, shortly after the previous church burned to the ground. The church, with the exception of the sanctuary, was finished in time for Easter services in 1904. The auditorium portion of the building had not been completed, being delayed until the members could afford a really fine sanctuary. It was the most severely damaged building in the East Bay as a result of the 1906 earthquake. That great earthquake seemed to completely dash the hopes of the members, but aid poured in from the East, and the church was rebuilt and completed. -Information taken from the First Baptist Curch website.