Page 78 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2023 - Online Magazine
P. 78
Local
History
100 YEARS of
PRIMERA IGLESIA BAUTISTA
DE LUBBOCK
by Juanita Guevara, Richard Magallanes and Rufus Martinez
rom an abandoned During the pastorship
schoolhouse on Avenue K to of Rev. R.C. Campbell,
Fthe present building at 301 First Baptist Church
North Sherman Avenue, Primera began sponsoring the
Iglesia Bautista continues to be a Mexican Mission with
beacon of light for the Hispanic the help of the Texas
community of Lubbock, Texas. Home Mission Board.
As the church celebrates its 60th The church met on
anniversary as an organized church Avenue K, with Mr.
and 100th anniversary as part of the W.A. Bowen in charge
first organized evangelical work of the Mission. Shortly 1949 to 1951. In 1951, Rev. Gilberto
among the Hispanic residents of after, Rev. Torres from San Angelo C. Rodriguez was called as pastor.
Lubbock, the mission remains: “to was brought in as pastor. The early During his ministry, the present
spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to members were the Espiridion building, at the corner of North
their neighbors near and far.” Martinez, Julian Martinez, Flores, Sherman Avenue and Baylor Street,
and Bentura families. was built. It was dedicated on May
Seeing the lack of any evangelical
work among the growing Hispanic During the Great Depression and 9, 1954. The cost of the sanctuary
population, Lubbock’s First Baptist until after World War II, the Mission and parsonage next door was
Church took the lead. The work was pastored by several men. Juan $53,597.27.
began humbly on April 3, 1923, in an Antonio Lopez, area missionary, In 1961, Rev. Epifanio Salazar was
old school room. Spanish-speaking served until his death. Pastor installed as the new pastor. Under
folks from different denominations Lopez was followed by Rev. Julian his leadership, the congregation
gathered to worship in their Ramirez, who occupied the pulpit continued to grow and ceased being
common language. However, due from 1938 to 1941. He was followed a Mission, establishing itself as a
to the reconstruction of the school by another area missionary, self-sustaining church. It became
building, the group ended up in Francisco Montero. The church Primera Iglesia Bautista de Lubbock.
smaller groups, meeting in homes also had interim pastors, including The dedicatory service was held
according to their denominations. Brother Joe Hardcastle and Brother on September 1, 1963. Rev. Salazar
One group, led by Espiridion Ed Thomas from FBC. continued his ministry until 1969.
Martinez, met at his home on
Avenue L. It became the core Hermano E. A. (Espiridion) Rev. Adan G. Gutierrez was called to
group that would become the Martinez returned to assume the pastor in 1970. During his pastorate,
Mexican Mission. pastorship of the Mission from the church was recognized by
78 Lubbock Senior Link
