BIRTH EXPANSION
A small group of Christians, being God not only blessed the church
led by God, saw the need for a Baptist spiritually, but also numerically and financially.
church in the heavily populated Frontier The desire for a church building of their own
area. On February 15, 1945, in the home kindled and on February 6, 1948, a committee
of Bro. & Sis. Hooper, at 3322 Kurtz St., of six men were appointed to purchase a site
a movement that has stood the test of at 3430 Kurtz Street. After a long hard
time had started. struggle, there was much rejoicing when the
While under the direction of Rev. new church was opened for worship.
T.C. Columbus, who was at the time Rev. Moses H. Haywood was called to
pastoring Greater Trinity Baptist Church Mt. Erie in 1956; God continued to add to the
and President of the California Baptist church such as should be saved. A board
State Convention, officers had been of management and a gospel choir was
appointed. Rev. W.L. Henderson, Pastor, organized.
Bro. Monroe Keeling, presiding secretary, With the Frontier Housing Project
and Bro. Isaiah Williams, Deacon Chairman. phased out, it became necessary to move the
Even though there was no church Church with a shift in population. In 1961, the
building available for worship services, the Church moved to 47th Street location after
name "Mt. Erie Baptist Church" had been much hard work, devotion, dedication, and
selected. Previously, meetings had been determination. Two years later, on December
held in various homes; but on April 14,1946 27, 1963, God, in His all-wise providence, saw
at 7:30 p.m., the doors of the Jordan it fit to call a dynamic preacher, teacher, and
Street Housing Project Community Center leader, Rev. Haywood home to rest from
Building was opened for services. his labor.
Rev. A.L. Patrick was called to
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT continue to move the Church forward. He
Mt. Erie was organized for spiritual carried out the plan of Rev. Haywood to divide
growth and self-effective outreach. The the mission into circles. On March 3, 1968,
Deacon and Deaconess Boards, Sunday Rev. Darden and family came to Mt. Erie.
School, B.T.U., Prayer Band, Usher The Mission Choir and the Darden's Children
Board, and the Senior and Junior Choirs Choir were added. The church continued to
were also organized. progress spiritually and financially. On
November 5, 1972 the Church received Rev.
Darden's resignation.
UNDER TODAY'S LEADERSHIP
In March 1973, Rev. Walter G. Wells was called to lead and Pastor, Mt. Erie. There was no doubt in
the minds of the members that Rev. Wells was a God-sent preacher. Under his dynamic leadership,
and by the grace of God, Mt. Erie has realized dramatic growth. As a result, a new edifice was erected
in April 1976. In 1982, Rev. Wells had a vision of education and daycare facility. With the
membership's approval, the vision was put into action. Through the spiritual guidance of God, the
Elementary Academy was erected in April 1983, the Infant and Toddler Center in 1985, the Trolley
Daycare facility in 1990, and the Academy Preschool Center in 1992. On October 1, 2000
(coincidentally our Pastor's birthday), a 3-classroom expansion to the elementary school was
dedicated. Now with the completion of six buildings, each serving a major part of growth spiritually,
numerically, financially and educationally under the leadership of Rev. Wells, and the mighty
unchanging hand of God, Mt. Erie continues to fulfill the everchanging need for a strong, influentially
sound Christian doctrine to this community and the city of San Diego.
A small group of Christians, being God not only blessed the church
led by God, saw the need for a Baptist spiritually, but also numerically and financially.
church in the heavily populated Frontier The desire for a church building of their own
area. On February 15, 1945, in the home kindled and on February 6, 1948, a committee
of Bro. & Sis. Hooper, at 3322 Kurtz St., of six men were appointed to purchase a site
a movement that has stood the test of at 3430 Kurtz Street. After a long hard
time had started. struggle, there was much rejoicing when the
While under the direction of Rev. new church was opened for worship.
T.C. Columbus, who was at the time Rev. Moses H. Haywood was called to
pastoring Greater Trinity Baptist Church Mt. Erie in 1956; God continued to add to the
and President of the California Baptist church such as should be saved. A board
State Convention, officers had been of management and a gospel choir was
appointed. Rev. W.L. Henderson, Pastor, organized.
Bro. Monroe Keeling, presiding secretary, With the Frontier Housing Project
and Bro. Isaiah Williams, Deacon Chairman. phased out, it became necessary to move the
Even though there was no church Church with a shift in population. In 1961, the
building available for worship services, the Church moved to 47th Street location after
name "Mt. Erie Baptist Church" had been much hard work, devotion, dedication, and
selected. Previously, meetings had been determination. Two years later, on December
held in various homes; but on April 14,1946 27, 1963, God, in His all-wise providence, saw
at 7:30 p.m., the doors of the Jordan it fit to call a dynamic preacher, teacher, and
Street Housing Project Community Center leader, Rev. Haywood home to rest from
Building was opened for services. his labor.
Rev. A.L. Patrick was called to
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT continue to move the Church forward. He
Mt. Erie was organized for spiritual carried out the plan of Rev. Haywood to divide
growth and self-effective outreach. The the mission into circles. On March 3, 1968,
Deacon and Deaconess Boards, Sunday Rev. Darden and family came to Mt. Erie.
School, B.T.U., Prayer Band, Usher The Mission Choir and the Darden's Children
Board, and the Senior and Junior Choirs Choir were added. The church continued to
were also organized. progress spiritually and financially. On
November 5, 1972 the Church received Rev.
Darden's resignation.
UNDER TODAY'S LEADERSHIP
In March 1973, Rev. Walter G. Wells was called to lead and Pastor, Mt. Erie. There was no doubt in
the minds of the members that Rev. Wells was a God-sent preacher. Under his dynamic leadership,
and by the grace of God, Mt. Erie has realized dramatic growth. As a result, a new edifice was erected
in April 1976. In 1982, Rev. Wells had a vision of education and daycare facility. With the
membership's approval, the vision was put into action. Through the spiritual guidance of God, the
Elementary Academy was erected in April 1983, the Infant and Toddler Center in 1985, the Trolley
Daycare facility in 1990, and the Academy Preschool Center in 1992. On October 1, 2000
(coincidentally our Pastor's birthday), a 3-classroom expansion to the elementary school was
dedicated. Now with the completion of six buildings, each serving a major part of growth spiritually,
numerically, financially and educationally under the leadership of Rev. Wells, and the mighty
unchanging hand of God, Mt. Erie continues to fulfill the everchanging need for a strong, influentially
sound Christian doctrine to this community and the city of San Diego.
| *History taken from 1983, Mt. Erie Baptist Church Educational and Daycare Facility Dedicatorial Souvenir Book Modified-2000 |
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