Chinatown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Chinese Baptist Church

華人浸信會

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 12, 2021

1. First Chinese Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. {The left side of the marker has the text in English:}
This church was organized on October 3, 1880. The congregation first met in rented quarters on Washington Street across from Portsmouth Square, and moved to the present location in 1888. The first church building on this site was destroyed in the Earthquake of 1906. The present structure was built in 1908. Through the years, the Church has served the community by providing language classes; conducting various programs for children, youth, and adults; and bringing the good news that Jesus Christ can bring wholeness and healing to human life.

This plaque was installed by the Congregation in 1980, the centennial year, to record our gratitude to God for his many blessings, and to express our confident expectation that He will lead and use us in the "New Century in Christ"

{The right side of the marker has the text in Chinese (not transcribed)}

Erected 1980 by The Congregation of the First Chinese Baptist Church of San Francisco.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1838.

Location. 37° 47.608′ N,

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122° 24.403′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Chinatown. It is at the intersection of Waverly Place and Sacramento Street, on the left when traveling north on Waverly Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Waverly Place, San Francisco CA 94108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willie "Woo Woo" Wong (within shouting distance of this marker); Hang Ah — 香雅 (within shouting distance of this marker); Far East Café (within shouting distance of this marker); Hang Ah Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Old St. Mary’s (about 400 feet away, measured in

First Chinese Baptist Church Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 29, 2012

2. First Chinese Baptist Church Marker - wide view

a direct line); The Birthplace of a Great City (about 400 feet away); Site of San Francisco’s First Book Store (about 500 feet away); Watershed History (North Shore) (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

First Chinese Baptist Church Marker - inset detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 29, 2012

3. First Chinese Baptist Church Marker - inset detail

In the upper portion of the marker is an image of the church prior to its destruction in the Earthquake of 1906.

Plaque above the door on the Sacramento Street side of the Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 29, 2012

4. Plaque above the door on the Sacramento Street side of the Church

Chinese Baptist Church: Property of the American Home Mission Society of New York. Erected 1886. Destroyed by fire 1906. Rebuilt 1908.

First Chinese Baptist Church - view from southeast image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 29, 2012

5. First Chinese Baptist Church - view from southeast

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,819 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 22, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.