A beacon of faith on Lincoln Avenue. That’s how many remember the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. This church, nestled in what was once the small town of Olive, has a story as rich and complex as the citrus groves that once surrounded it. Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church began its life in 1958, a mission of the First Southern Baptist Church of Anaheim. Initially, services were held in a leased home at 604 W. Lincoln Avenue. This “Olive Mission,” as it was called, was a temporary home. The church had its sights set on something more permanent.
In 1963, the burgeoning congregation purchased three acres of land from a longtime Olive resident, Clyde Fairbairn. He had spent nearly his entire life on the grove site, working at the nearby Olive Heights Citrus Association. The church’s growth continued under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Gilmore, who took the reins in 1964. A revival in the spring of 1966, featuring a visiting pastor from Texas, further energized the community.
By May 1966, plans were finalized for a new sanctuary at 16751 E. Lincoln Avenue, at the corner of Lincoln and Canal Street. A photo from June 1967 captures the sanctuary nearing completion. This new building, across the street from the old Olive Milling Co., was a testament to the church’s growing influence. The dedication ceremony in December 1967 marked a significant milestone. The church’s location, described as “Lincoln Ave. and Canal St… in Orange,” reflected the shifting boundaries of the area as Olive began to be absorbed by the city of Orange. The church officially became the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church of Orange in 1968, solidifying its place in the community.
The church continued to thrive, witnessing a succession of twenty-four pastors over the years. Jiri Novak, who led the church from 2011, oversaw significant renovations and a restructuring of the organization. In 2015, he guided the merger with The Main Place Christian Fellowship, leading to the dissolution of the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church corporation. While the name may be gone, the sanctuary remains. It stands as a reminder of a time when Olive was a distinct community, a time when the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church was a vital part of its landscape. The building itself is a tangible piece of the mid-1960s, an echo of the era’s architectural style and a testament to the enduring power of faith.