“What started as a small seed grew into a towering tree” That’s how I would describe the story of Kanlaon Baptist Church. This church stands as a testament to faith and perseverance in the heart of Manila. Let’s explore its history.
The seeds of Kanlaon Baptist Church were sown by American Southern Baptist missionaries. They arrived in the Philippines in the late 1940s. Communist advances in China forced them to relocate. Among these missionaries were Dr and Mrs Winston Crawley and Rev and Mrs Max Pettit. They also included Fern Harrington and Dr and Mrs Clyde Jowers. Rev and Mrs Wesley Lawton and Theresa Anderson were also among them.
These faithful servants felt a strong desire to share the Gospel with the Chinese. They dedicated themselves to reaching the overseas Chinese in the Philippines. Many had studied Mandarin in China. They read Chinese literature and maintained doctrinal purity.
Initial efforts began in Baguio. This led to the establishment of Baguio Chinese Baptist Church on May 29 1950. In May 1950 Theresa Anderson moved to Manila. She was accompanied by Mrs Yeh a Chinese-language teacher from Beijing. She began teaching English at Chiang Kai Shek High School.
In August the families of Max Pettit and Clyde Jowers joined her. Dr and Mrs John Abernathy veteran missionaries from China arrived from Korea. By October they rented space at the corner of T. Pinpin and David Streets in Binondo. It was on the second floor of the People’s Bank of the Philippines. This became the first assembly hall named Overseas Chinese Christian Baptist Church.
Mr Co Ching Chuan was invited to oversee the pulpit ministry. The first Mandarin worship service took place on November 19 1950. A week later Dr Abernathy led evangelistic services. These services resulted in several young people professing their faith.
On March 16 1952 Rev Clyde Jowers baptized the first five believers of Kanlaon Baptist Church. A second baptism followed a month later on April 6 with four ladies. The formal establishment of Manila Chinese Baptist Church occurred on Easter Sunday April 13 1952. Rev Clyde Jowers served as the first pastor. There were eleven charter members.
From David Street the church moved to Elcano Street in Binondo. On June 1 1953 it moved to an upper room in Tokyo Hotel. It was located on Ongpin Street corner Rosario Street. On May 5 1956 the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board bought property. It was in the heart of Chinatown. This property was along Tomas Pinpin Street corner Quiñones Street. This is where the church was built and stands today as Kanlaon Baptist Church.
Construction of the church building began in March 1960. The building fund was raised through faith. Construction finished in four months. On July 31 1960 the first church building was dedicated. It was a two-story building with the sanctuary and baptistry on the 2nd floor. The parsonage was added later in September 1970.
The church was incorporated with the Securities and Exchanges Commission on July 3 1990. The Philippine Baptist SBC donated the property to the church on April 19 1991.
In the new millennium the members decided to rebuild Kanlaon Baptist Church. A bigger building was needed for the growing population. Plans were made. By September 2002 the church rented the 2nd floor of the Yutivo Building. The last service in the old building was October 3 2002.
Demolition started on October 28 2002. Groundbreaking for the new building occurred on January 7 2003. The new 8-story building was dedicated on April 17 2005 during the church’s 53rd anniversary.
Today Kanlaon Baptist Church stands tall in Chinatown. Its blue-lighted cross serves as a beacon in the night sky. The Kanlaon Baptist Church continues to transform lives and communities. It does this through Christ-centered relationships. Remember its humble beginnings and its unwavering commitment to faith as we move on.