In 1873, Dr. William Pond was ministering to the 3rd Congregational
Church. He was very interested in the Chinese people and, at every opportunity, invited them to attend
Sunday classes at his church. Eventually, Dr. Pond wanted to baptize the Chinese and receive them as members.
The Board of Directors of that church, when presented with the ideas, was horrified and refused to give its permission.
A break between minister and members resulted and Dr. Pond left.
With 17 friends, Dr. Pond
started another church called the Bethany Congregational Church and invited the Chinese people to come and use the facilities
and join as members. Realizing the big gap between his resources and the amount of work to be done, Dr.
Pond, two years later, went to Boston where the Board of Home Mission had its offices. There he asked for
financial aid to the extent of $6,000. This money was designed for Chinese work in California.
A building was leased near Portsmouth Square to spread the Gospel to the Chinese people. English
classes were organized at night. The number of people attending these classes increased.
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| Rev. William Pond |
On April 18,
1906, the San Francisco earthquake and fire struck and the building was completely destroyed. Fortunately,
the building to the west, which was a school, was only partially damaged. The teacher of this school, Mr.
Chin Kwan, invited the members of the Chinese church to meet there. Because of this kind and generous act,
the church program continued and the threatened cessation of activities did not happen. Mr. Chin
Kwan was, for many years, a deacon of our church.
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| First Baptized Members |
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In 1908 Dr. Pond went
east for the third time to raise money. The Chinese people also had a financial campaign and, altogether,
the total of $30,000 was raised. In May of 1909 the present building was erected at 21 Brenham Place.
In 1921 the Chinese church became an autonomous, independent organization with the following provision:
The building cannot be sold for commercial purposes. The administration of finances, ministry and
associated activities were turned of to the officers of the church.
A program to rebuild the
Sunday school classrooms on the second floor, the sanctuary, and the Social Hall began in 1965 and was completed in a year
through the help of God and the contributions of the whole congregational and its friends. On Sunday, September
25, 1966, we held a dedication service for our newly renovated sanctuary in conjunction with the observance of our 93rd
Anniversary, and, in 1972 a special worship service was conducted to “burn our mortgage”. The
existence of our church through all these years has been made possible by the devoted work of its leaders, the cooperation
and generosity of its members and friend. God has certainly looked upon us with favor and blessed us richly.
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