Historic San Jose Church Nears Landmark Status: A San Jose church with a lot of history that would be torn down might be saved by becoming a landmark. This ray of hope cheers people in the humble community because they want their beloved temple to last forever.
In the wake of the epidemic, the Sunday service at Grace Baptist Church, like many other places of worship, shows a relatively small gathering of only 16 dedicated people. However, their promise to help the people who live in downtown San Jose stays the same, which means they need a specific place to meet.
Reverend Kenneth Love, a guest pastor at the last Sunday service, showed how the church felt about their lack of a leader after they broke up with Pastor George Oliver. The argument started when Oliver discussed a plan with a developer who wanted to tear down the church to make room for new homes. The fact that this site is right next to San Jose State University could have brought in a lot of money.
Bill Brooks, Chair of the Worship Committee, says that the congregation’s heart didn’t think about it that way. When the truth came out, they were shocked and maybe even vulnerable.
The heritage that is in danger has deep roots in San Jose’s past with the Civil Rights Movement. The church was built in 1941, and Rev. Shorty Collins, a strong anti-war activist, used to be its leader. Initially, the church basement was the hub of organizing for the United Farmworkers. Cesar Chavez even gave talks there. After the guilty verdict in the George Floyd case, it became a place for the community to get together in 2021.
Dr. Penny Hogg has been a church member since 1961 and talks about how it helped her become a social worker for life. “It certainly influenced those of us who were members at the time and how we lived our life,” she adds.
The church now helps the poor and needy by giving them meals, baths, childcare, and lessons to help them with addictions. In addition to being a beautiful building, this place is significant to them because it is a safe place for the community and a word of hope.
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Dr. Hogg talks about how important it is as a symbol because it reminds us of all possible things in the world. It’s a safe place where safety can grow.
There is still a good chance that the church will be named a historical landmark, protecting it from future attempts to build on or destroy it. Bill Brooks thinks that this designation protects the land from potential developers who might be interested in how profitable it could be. He believes preserving this church is important because it will provide a place for the community to gather and protect an essential part of San Jose’s history.
The city’s Rules and Open Government Committee recently gave its full approval, a sign of hope. The San Jose City Council will decide what to do with the historic landmark designation in the coming weeks. When Reverend Love is touched by these events, he uses Psalm to say that there is a forever home in the house of the Lord.