“Know Christ and to Make Him Known beginning in San Francisco Chinatown.” That is the mission of the San Francisco Chinese Baptist Church. This church stands as a testament to faith. It also embodies community and resilience in the heart of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chinese Baptist Church has a rich history. It began in 1905. Rev. Tsai Leong Lee led the church’s establishment. Its roots trace back to an indigenous Chinese Baptist movement. This movement was in Guangzhou, China during the 1800s. The church embraced a unique approach. It focused on being self-governing. It also wanted to be self-propagating and self-supporting. This concept was ahead of its time. The church created history. It became the first Chinese church in San Francisco. It was one of the first in the nation. Indigenous Chinese Christians established it. They initially met in rented spaces on Clay Street.
In 1906 disaster struck. The Great Earthquake destroyed their meeting place. Part of the congregation relocated to Oakland. Some members remained in San Francisco. The church continued services in two locations after the quake. In 1913 the San Francisco group acquired property. It was on Washington Street. The building was completed in 1922. The Oakland group purchased property in 1963. They built at their current location on 8th Street. The San Francisco and Oakland congregations became autonomous in 1967. They became the Chinese Independent Baptist Church San Francisco. Also, the Chinese Independent Baptist Church Oakland.
The San Francisco church established a mission point in the Sunset District in 1975. This later became the Sunset Chinese Baptist Church in 1980. It is presently known as Sunset Church of San Francisco. A mission point was established in Marin County in 1976. It later became Marin Community Church. The church began supporting missionaries in the 1970s. They served in the mission field. The church also supported mission organizations. They funded these with money beyond regular member contributions. Short-term missionaries were sent to various parts of the world. This started in the late 1980s.
A new English congregation started in 1972. It became the nucleus of the present Sunset Church’s English congregation in 1979. The church recommitted to a separate English congregation in 1986. This lasted to the present. The church feels led to continue this for Chinatown’s English-speaking population.
The church affirmed its commitment to San Francisco Chinatown in 2003. It pledged resources for a four-story addition. It also planned a major renovation. The 2.4 million dollar project was completed debt-free. The new building was dedicated on April 3, 2010. It was named the “Faith Building.”
The San Francisco Chinese Baptist Church became a member of the Southern Baptist Convention in May 2019. The church is also a member of the Northern California Chinese Baptist Association. It is also a member of The Chinese Baptist Fellowship of United States and Canada.
The Benevolent Fund was established in January 2021. This expanded the church’s caring ministry. It was for members in need. The church completed and adopted a revision of the entire church Constitution and Bylaws in December 2022. This was the first time in more than 40 years. The church is multi-generational. It is also bilingual and bicultural. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, the church joyfully commits to worship. It also commits to witness, discipleship and ministry.
Through programs like ESL classes and community gatherings, the San Francisco Chinese Baptist Church actively demonstrates its faith. It shares God’s love with its neighbors. The San Francisco Chinese Baptist Church stands as a beacon. It shines brightly in the heart of Chinatown. It embodies faith and community. It provides a spiritual home for generations to come.