1950 - Present

November, 1950
Miss Ida Elliott was Director of Christian Education until approximately 1959 or 1960.

May 20 – 23, 1951
Seventy-fifth Anniversary was celebrated. The church was growing with Victoria, and broadcast radio services on the first Sunday of each month. Rev. G Ralph Easter was elected president of the British Columbia Convention of Baptist Churches.

1952
Annual Meeting The reports state that 68 persons joined the church in 1951, 22 by baptism. 578 Christmas cards were sent to those who had registered as out of town visitors during the year.

1955
Twelve members left to join with the newly organized Elk Lake Baptist Church. The church was opened and dedicated in May 1955.

1956
Annual Meeting It was noted that in the past ten years 500 members have been added to the roll and the budget had tripled.

February 12, 1958
Membership at the close of the year was reported as being 371 on the Active Resident Roll.

1959
A committee was looking for property for a new church building.

February 10, 1960 The Baptist churches in Victoria formed a Church Extension Board, which would aid in church development in Victoria.

1960
Major repairs on the organ were completed.

September 1, 1960
Rev. Donald Troutt started his ministry as director of Christian Education.

October 26, 1960
Quarterly Meeting A “Master Building and Advisory Council” was established to look at every aspect of the work so as to recommend action which should be undertaken in connection with the church building and its restoration or a new building program. Rev. Donald Troutt gave reports on the Christian Education programs.

February 15, 1961
Annual Meeting A decision was made to purchase the house behind the church. There was a need for a fire escape for the church so this was deemed a necessary action. There was obviously a very busy and active Christian Education Program.

October 25, 1961
Quarterly Meeting The building and advisory council recommended that a program of renovation and addition be undertaken in three stages.

December 31, 1961
Rev. D. Troutt returned to California.

February 7, 1962
Annual Meeting Rev. G. Ralph Easter tendered his resignation effective the end of March.

April 1962 – March 1963
Rev. W. C. Smalley served as interim minister.

November 7, 1962
Active membership was reported as 394. A decision was made that the church would undertake a minimum renovation and redecoration program.

January 23, 1963
Rev. John Watson was called to the pastorate at First Baptist.

March 13, 1963
Rev. Watson was inducted into his ministry at First Baptist.

February 12, 1964
The congregation voted to purchase property on Quadra Street between North Park Street and Fisgard Street to build a new church, one with more up to date facilities and easier access to the building. The property was to be paid for in four years.

June 23, 1965
Active Membership Roll of 368

July 21, 1965
The church voted in favour, “that we reaffirm our support of the Christian Education Committee and the Sunday School teachers in the use of the new curriculum for the present three year cycle as an aid to the study of the Bible in the educational programme of this church.”

March 27, 1968
The first phase of the building program had been completed, i.e. the property paid in full and they were ready for Stage 2, i.e. sale of the present building excluding organ, pews, and furnishings and a reasonable period of occupancy plus the start of a building fund to raise a minimum of $9000.00 per year.

December 31, 1968
Membership listed active Resident members as 226.

May 20, 1969
Rev. John Watson resigned effective July 1, 1969.

February, 1970
Annual Meeting The building committee was investigating the possibility of low rental apartments on the new property in conjunction with the new church.

February 10, 1971
The meeting accepted the recommendation of the Board of Deacons regarding reorganization of the church structure. The proposal to be tried for one year.

une 9, 1971
Constitutional changes were made relating to Church Membership.

February 9, 1972
Annual Meeting A constitution and by laws which are necessary under the Societies Act to incorporate a society to be known as the North Park Manor Society was presented. This was the society that would deal with the Provincial Government in regard to the new church apartments. A motion was made, “ that the church transfer the necessary part of the church property on North Park Street to the North Park Society.”

April 19, 1972
Special Meeting The church decided to accept the offer of the London Boxing Club to purchase the church building. The deal to close June 7th with possession July 7, 1972. First United Church offered the utmost cooperation in regard to a place for this congregation to worship.

February 21, 1973
Annual Meeting Progress report on the building – it will be approximately six months before tenders for construction can be called, returned and construction be started.

June 9, 1974
Church Meeting The architects final plans for the church were accepted and a contract will be signed with Farmer Construction. A short concise rundown of the plans for the high rise were given and also of the type of contract that will be signed.

February 24, 1974
A Sod Turning Ceremony was held for First Baptist Church and for North Park Manor.
Constitutional changes continued to be made.

February 12, 1975
Annual Meeting Active membership 169. Curriculum for the Sunday School was from the American Baptist Board of Education. Sunday School attendance was irregular and poor.

ovember 16, 1975
The first service of worship was held in the new church.

February 18, 1976
The first annual meeting was held in the new building.

April 24, 1976
The Official Opening Ceremonies and Dedication were held for North Park Manor.

May 2, 1976
Dedication of new Hymnals.

May 5-8, 1976
The Annual Assembly of the Baptist Union of Western Canada was held in Victoria at First Baptist and First United Churches. A Centenary Service of Thanksgiving was held.

September 19, 1976
Dedication Service of the First Baptist Church. Rev. G. Ralph Easter’s sermon title was, “Why Do Men Build A Church?”

February 16, 1977
Annual Meeting Rev. Cecil R. Barner was called to be the Minister of Visitation.

February 15, 1978
Annual Meeting It was reported that the Church School had two divisions, Nursery and Kindergarten plus Primary and Junior. It was decided to tape worship services to allow shut-ins to share in this experience of worship.

May 28, 1981
Special Meeting Rev. John Watson was granted a six-month leave of absence for reasons of health (to start September 1st) plus vacation time. Rev. Robert Norris carried on the church ministry during this time along with the able assistance of Rev. Barner.

February 3, 1982
A number of interested people met to discuss the obvious need for an organized Sunday School. It was decided to form four classes with eight teachers. Three classes started on February 7, 1982.

April 25, 1982
A Constitution Revision Committee was established.

February 16, 1983
Annual Meeting It was noted that all teachers are in place for the Sunday School but students are few and far between.

February 5, 1984
Rev. John Watson resigned effective June 24, 1984.

May 27, 1984 Dr. Harry Renfree was to be the Interim Pastor from September 1st to December 31st 1984.

May 31, 1985
An adult Sunday School class was started on the recommendation of Dr. Renfree.

June 30, 1985
Dr. Renfree completed his time as Interim Pastor.

July 18, 1985
A call was extended to Rev. Ronald A. Surry.

September 1, 1985
Rev. Surry started his ministry.

January 30, 1986
Rev. Surry tendered his resignation effective the end of February.

March 10, 1986
Rev. Arthur Willis became the Interim Pastor.

May 4, 1986
110th Anniversary. To honour Alexander and Fanny Clyde and First Baptist Church, the church members purchased two paving blocks, which will be placed on Government Street. The City of Victoria was outlining the boundary of the original fort with a double row of bricks set into the pavement.

October 16, 1986
A call was extended to Rev. Ken Hillmer effective January 1, 1987.

December, 1986
A group of 26 seniors came together to join in singing Christmas music. The group continued to sing for the next six years under the name, “The Manor Choristers”.

January 11, 1987
An induction Service was held for Rev. Ken Hillmer.

March 22, 1987
The first sod was turned for Fisgard House.

April 30, 1988
An Official Opening and Dedication Service was held for Fisgard House.


ctober 4, 1988
A Memorial Service was held for a beloved Minister of Visitation, Rev. Cecil Barner.

January 7, 1990
Rev. Arthur Willis was inducted as Associate Minister.

November, 1993
Rev. Arthur Willis retired from Associate Minister responsibilities.

January, 1994
The title of Pastor Emeritus was conferred on an energetic, enthusiastic and loved Rev. Arthur Willis – Retired at age 82 years, but not really.

March 6, 1994
An induction Service was held for Jack Duckworth as Associate Minister of Family Ministries and Discipleship. This was a one half-time position.

December 31, 1994
Active membership listed as 172

June 4, 1995
The Japanese Christian Fellowship was welcomed as they meet in the sanctuary on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month under the leadership of Rev. Ron and Mrs. Pat Patterson who had been missionaries in Japan.

September 14, 1995
The church acted as sponsors for a mother and daughter from Vietnam, Kim and Lien Tran. The church’s role was to help them make a home in Victoria after many years in a refugee camp.

April 28, 1996
120th Anniversary B. C. Area Minister Rev. Paul Pearce was the guest speaker.

June 2, 1996
Ordination Service for Nelson Jack Duckworth. This was the first ordination service to take place in the 120-year history of First Baptist. Rev. Dr. Roy Bell was the guest speaker.

1996
The Japanese Christian Fellowship continues to hold services each Sunday afternoon. A bursary committee was formed and the first presentation of bursaries was given to students pursuing post-secondary training. Goals were set by the Christian Education Committee and new areas of ministry were begun.

September 14, 1997
Official sponsorship of Thi Kim Huong Tran and Lien Bao Ngoc Tran was ended.

June 30, 1998
Rev. Jack Duckworth’s resignation took effect.

September, 1998
John and Martha Easter, returned missionaries to India, were called to act as Partners In Ministry and the induction service was held in early September.

September, 1998
The first ALPHA course was held.

May, 1999
An outreach program to the people living on the streets of Victoria was begun involving bag lunches on Sundays after church.

May 30, 1999
The Victoria Japanese Church was officially organized.

December 31, 1999
Church membership was listed as 131

2000
Japanese Christian Fellowship continues.

2000
Partners in Ministry John and Martha Easter completed the requirements necessary to become licensed through the Baptist Union of Western Canada.

Fall, 2000
Bag lunch program discontinued because there were not enough people to carry out the heavy duties of taking the lunches to the people.

Fall. 2000
The third set of ALPHA courses were held in the North Park Manor on Tuesday mornings. There were two basic ALPHA groups and a third group dealing with “Searching Issues”.

2001
This year marks the 125th Anniversary of First Baptist Church, Victoria, British Columbia.

January, 2001
Rev. Arthur Willis celebrated his 90th Birthday by bringing a soul-stirring message at the Morning Worship Service.

February 14, 2001
The church accepted with regret the resignation of Rev. Ken Hillmer effective June 15, 2001.