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Chinese Congregational Church |
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About Us |
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HOME |
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In 1873, Dr. William C. Pond was minstering 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 idea, was horrified and refused to give its permission. A break between minister and members resulted, and Dr. Pond left. |
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CALENDAR |
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LACONGA |
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FELLOWSHIPS |
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SACK |
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ABOUT US |
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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 Missions 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 Portsmourth 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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Facilities were taxed to the limit and Dr. Pond went East for the second time for more financial help. It was 1902 before a building was purchsed. The upstairs became residential apartments, the first floor of the building being reserved for church services and English classes.
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 that, the church program continued and the threatened cessation of activities did not become a fact. Mr. Chin Kwan was, for many years, a deacon of our church. His devotedness, faithfulness, and loyalty brought many people into the sphere of influence of our church.
Two years later, Dr. Pond went East for the third time to raise money. The Chinese poeople also had a financial campaign and, altogether, the total of $30,000 was raised. In May, 1909, the present building was erected.
The existence of our church through these years has been made possible by the devoted work of its leaders, the cooperation and generosity of its members and friends, enabling the membership to increase and the activities to become more varied and vast. God has certainly looked upon us with favor and blessed us richly. |
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Website created for
Chinese Congregational Church
21 Walter U. Lum Place
San Francisco, CA 94108
October, 2000
Contact webmaster at
[email protected] |
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