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| Our Church's History | |||
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The Present membership of the First Baptist Church of Palmdale is 44. Starting with a charter membership of 27 on May 6, 1949, eleven have been added by admission by letter or statement of faith, eight have been added by baptism, and two have been lost by letter. Sunday School membership is 109. The Sunday School work was begun March 27, 1949, with 40 present on opening day. This number grew steadily until we reached a peak attendance of 115 in October, with an average for that month of 106. Winter weather brought a decrease in attendance, but we are confident of seeing new records set before summer vacation time comes. There is no organized Women's work or Men's Brotherhood as yet, but the ladies have been very faithful in upholding the work in their regular Wednesday afternoon prayer circle, which has undoubtedly done much to strengthen the spiritual life of the Church. Since this is a mission church, our missionary giving has necessarily been small. The total given to date is $177.31. The Church was organized without a regular pastor, but Rev. H. E. Johnson, of Mora, Minnesota, was called to fill the pulpit effective September 1. His ministry has been a real blessing, as evidenced by the growth of the church and the spiritual growth of the membership. At present we are meeting in the Palmdale Grammar School, and we are very thankful for the wonderful cooperation given us by the superintendent and the school board, for without it our Sunday School growth would have been limited by lack of rooms for the classes. We are at present petitioning the Regional Planning Commission of Los Angeles County for permission to build a church on a vary desirable piece of ground near the center of Palmdale. We have approximately $750 in our building fund to apply on the purchase of this property, and are trusting a favorable decision on the zoning will permit us to start building this summer. The Church owns a Sunday School bus which was purchased last summer in time for Daily Vacation Bible School for $400, and which has been used every Sunday since to bring children in from an outlying area, requiring total driving of 48 miles each Sunday. The unanimity of spirit since the work started has been wonderful. Our membership has been much in prayer for a revival in Palmdale, and we are trusting the Lord for visible results as Rev. Milo Nixon of College Avenue Baptist Church, San Diego, comes to lead two weeks of evangelistic services beginning April 30. Milon G. Whittier, Church Clerk |