Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29
TEMPLE BAPTIST C0NGREGA-
TI0N IN ITS HOME
Widely Known Pastor viii Ascend
Pulpit In Auditorium This Morn-
Ing for First Time--Growth
Of Congregation
BY HOWARD KRUEGER

~ EV. DIR. ROBERT ]. BUR-
TX DETTE's church is at last in it's
own home. After three years of
wandering the Temple Baptist church
will at last occupy Berean hall, in the
magnificent Temple Auditorium. at
Sixth and Olive streets, this morning.
The dream of it's leaders will be re-
allied when DR.. Burdette ascends the
pulpit at II o'clock this morning. Dur
ing its short life of three years the
Temple church, which is the largest
Baptist organization here, has had
very eventful history.
In June, 1903, a canvass Of Los An
geles by Baptist workers disclosed the
fact that over 300 Baptists were at
tending churches of denominations
other than their own. For the most
part their letters had been left in the
old church back east"
Several informal meetings were held
to discuss how they might be brought
back to their own denomination, and
finally at a meeting held in G. r.
Harris office, 1t was proposed to form
downtown church and to invite Rob-
ert ]. Burdette, who was then preach
ing in Pasadena, to accept the pastor
ate.
DR.. Burdette Called
A committee consisting of Charles H.
Barker Leonard Merrill, C. r. Harris,
H. G. James and Prof c. C. Boynton
was appointed to tender him the call
and to secure place of worship.
Mr. Burdette accepted the pastorate
and the old Congregational church on
the corner of Sixth and Hill streets
was rented Under date of July 6, 1903,
a oir Ie,ft aaI a
meeting in that building for July II,
ito perfect the organization of a Bap-
tist church and inviting all who de-
sired to unite in the organization Of
such a church." On that date an en-
thusiastic meeting was held and an or
ganization was perfected
The first meeting in the new church
was held Sunday morning. July &c.
1903 Before a congregation that
packed the house to the sidewalks
Pastor Burdette preached on the topic
Assured Prosperity" Text: Psalm
1925, "Pray for the peace of Jerusa-
lem; they shall prosper that love thee"
Ordained and Recognized
On August 13. 1908, council of dele
gates from all the Baptist churches
in Southern California met with the
Temple church to ordain Mr.. Bur-
dette and to recognize the new church.
That same afternoon the first baptism
was held in the First Baptist church.
the candidates being j. j. Falls and
Miss Jennie Green.
The vast audiences that filed the
building to the streets every Sunday
morning soon showed the young
church that it's present quarters were
too small, and so new building had
to be planned.
on September 9, 1908, c. r. Harris
,,Io 90 the
downtown church. The plan seemed
stupendous for q body so small In
numbers and poor in purse to under
take and earned for its propoSer the
name rainbow chaser" But those
who at first applied the name in jest
have since seen that at the end of the
rainbow was the proyerbial pot OF
gold. The scheme was steadily pushed
forward.
1t was decided to buy the old Haz-
ards pavilion property, which the
church had been occupying since Oe-
tober, 1904, and a short time later the
first payment was made when Mrs.
Burdette gave her check for $4,000.
Last in Pavilion
Memorial Sunday, May 2S, 1905, the
last services in the old pavilion was
held with Capt. Frederick j. Cressey
chairman of the patriotic exercises and
Pastor Burdette as the preacher.
Harry Barnhart and the Apollo club
furnished the music, aided by the Con-
gregational orchestra under the lead
ership OF William II, Mead.
A vast audience of 5000 filled the
house. while others were turned away
for lack of space. At midnight
wreckers began the demolition OF the
building, and twenty-three days later
ground was broken for the new audi
torium.
From the pavilion the church moved
to Masonic hall. but few months sui
feed 10 show them that this place
could never seat the many tourists
who desired to hear DR.. Burdette
preach. SO once more, in December,
the church moved, this time to the
armory, at Eighth and spring streets. !
Here ii has remained ever Since
The progress of the Temnle church !