Consider Second’s Contributions
It is difficult but not impossible to attempt to measure the contribution that Second has made over its 138-year history. We can cite the seeds that have been sown as we attempt to measure the extent of the crop that has been grown. Facts point to what has been done at a moment in time. However, the rippling effects far outdistance the immediate impact leaving a lasting residue.
138 years of sermons. Calculating one sermon a Sunday, that is 7,202 sermons;
accounting for the time since two services were offered, the total number would be approximately 12,896! Consider the celebration of life ceremonies, babies dedicated, baptisms, members who have joined, songs sung, prayers prayed, people helped, persons employed, etc. All those whose lives have been encouraged, directed and inspired by what has happened here!
According to thy name O God, so is thy praise to the ends of the earth. Thy right hand is full of righteousness. Psalm 48:10
We reflect on who you are, and how you are, and where you are at work in our lives and the world.
The gift of leadership through its pastors is one of the most significant contributions.
The Founding Years credit four pastors with leadership that established and sustained a fledging congregation.
S. C. Pierce (1885-1887) the founding pastor who established a congregation of believers who saw the necessity for this church, the first African American Baptist Church in the city of angels.
C.H. Anderson (1887-1907) was instrumental in forming the Western Baptist State convention, and organizing other Baptist churches in 1888, connecting them with the Los Angeles Baptist Association. He was considered the Father of Negro Baptist.
J. L. McCoy (1908-1915) liquidated all debt on the Maple Street property and burned the mortgage; began making plans to build a new church on newly acquired property at the corner of 14th and Paloma Streets.
H. D. Prowd (1916-1920) served the congregation for four years until he left to serve as a missionary in South America.
Dr. Thomas L. Griffith began the Building Years. He led the membership in erecting the current facility which stands to this day as a legacy to his leadership and vision.
He believed in the future of the congregation and had the greatest of hopes for its possibilities. During his tenure, more than 2,000 persons united with the church.
Dr. J. Raymond Henderson ushered in the Expanding Years. He liquidated the indebtedness and began to purchase property adjacent to and across from the church for what were to become the Henderson Community Center and the Velva Henderson Christian Education Building, in order to enlarge the services of the church to the broader community.
Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. began the serving years. Most notable during his tenure was the designation of the congregation as a servant church. He gave himself to leadership in civic, civil, cultural and educational affairs of the city and the nation. Housing and feeding for the homeless were provided and low income housing for seniors and handicapped established during his tenure.
Our legacy continues with the Challenging Years of the 21st century. It does not
yet appear what we shall be. We are on our way to inherit what is in store for us in the future with the assurance that “we are on our way to inherit the promise of God.
Come with us and we will do you good, for the Lord has made wonderful promises to us. (James Calhoun and Pastor Epps). The best is yet to come. We believe that the best is yet to be, just you wait and see. We are preparing for our post pandemic and post structural damage repair as we continue to maintain and sustain our relevance and viability as a fellowship of faith.
Consider what it means that you have benefited from those you
did not know, who went before you, who left you a
legacy of their faith to pass on to your posterity.
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