​ 2412 Griffith Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011   (213) 400-877    deleby@pacbell.net

History of Eight

The Developing Years

The Founding Years

1885-1887  Rev. S.C. Pierce

The Serving Years

1963-1985 Dr. Thomas Kilgore

Other contributors:

Lisa Ly – Administrative Coordinator
Jacquelyn McMahon –

Church Clerk
James Gibson – Head Security  

The Building Years

1921-1940 Dr. Thomas L. Griffith Sr.

The Challenging Years

1987-Present Dr. William S. Epps

Second Baptist Church LA

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES

THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY FOR OVER 135 YEARS.

The renowned architect, Mr. Paul R. Williams drew the plans for the church.The ground-breaking service was conducted by Dr. Griffith on October 12, 1924. The new building was dedicated for service on January 3,1926, by Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church of New York.

The church was remodeled from September 2007 until May 2009, Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. William S. Epps. The remodel included a new elevator, a revamped Narthex, updated plumbing, electrical, roofing, a new sound system and a new kitchen and social room in Griffith Hall. This effort brought the edifice to
current city building codes.

Throughout its history Second Baptist Church has played an important role in the history of the African-American community. On a local level the church provided
an academic scholarship for Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ralph Bunche. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. considered the church his “West Coast” home, and he spoke here many times. In 1978 Second Baptist church building was proclaimed Historic-Culture Monument #200, by the city of Los Angeles. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 2009. The church has been the site of many conventions and meetings, including those of the NAACP. It has hosted numerous musical concerts and special events.

Second Baptist has produced 6 Judges; Judge Thomas L. Griffith, Judge Albert D. Matthews, Judge Dion G. Morrow, Judge Robert Ward, Judge Maxine F. Thomas and Judge Consuelo B. Marshall plus many other celebrity personalities, such as Johnny Cochran Jr., ESQ; Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald and actresses Vickilyn Reynolds and Niketa Calame to name a few.

Second Baptist Church, the first African-American Baptist Church in Southern California, was organized on Wednesday, May 5, 1885 in Los Angeles. The church was born in the minds and hearts of early African-American Baptist who felt the need to have their own church. A church where the free expression of worship in the Black idiom could flow uninhibited. The church was begun with three members, Rev. S.C. Pierce was the organizer and the first pastor.

Dr. Griffith was instrumental in leading the membership in the building of the present church edifice. The church building was built at the estimated cost of $200,000, an enormous amount for the early 1920’s. 

CHURCH HISTORY

Since the founding of the church, there have been only eight leaders.

The Expanding Years

1941-1963 Dr. J. Raymond Henderson