A cornerstone of faith stands tall. This is the Barrington Avenue Baptist Church. It’s more than just a building. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of faith and community.
For over a century this church has served the West Los Angeles community. It began life as the First Baptist Church of West Los Angeles in 1901. Its mission was to minister to Civil War veterans. They were pioneers in a then-rural area. They met before freeways and towering apartment buildings. The church witnessed the transformation of West Los Angeles from farmland to the bustling community we know today.
In the 1920s the church found its permanent home. It purchased land on the corner of Idaho Street and Barrington Avenue. A church building was erected. A high school followed. The church offered a wide range of services. It served the homeless. It evangelized. It held services and prayer meetings.
Then came a remarkable turn of events. In 2008 a different church called Shoreline met First Baptist Church. Shoreline was a young vibrant church. It had started in 2005. It was mostly young adults. First Baptist had a longer history and a stable presence. It served mostly families and older congregants.
The two churches discovered shared values. They had the same gospel the same faith. They both loved West Los Angeles. They were similar in size. They also had complementary strengths. Their differences complemented each other. Shoreline’s agility matched First Baptist’s stability.
Pastors from both churches began meeting regularly. They discussed theology and ministry. They bonded over pan dulce at Steve Campbell’s house. They realized they were better together.
On Easter Sunday 2011 a new chapter began. The two churches merged to form Cornerstone Church of West LA. The name symbolized a new foundation. It paid tribute to the histories of both churches. It referenced Jesus the rock on which every church is built. The church’s building has a literal cornerstone. It had been a cornerstone in the city for decades.
The first service as Cornerstone included a 90-year-old man and a young mother. This symbolized their unity. It was a new family. They were better together. Cornerstone continues the legacy. It welcomes all. It serves the community. It continues to write its story. The Barrington Avenue Baptist Church stands as a beacon of faith. A place where history and hope intertwine.