Glad Tidings Church
Glad Tidings Church was built in 1863 as a Baptist Church in the temple-form Greek Revival style. It was originally located in the Protestant section of the San Juan cemetery on Monterey Street. The architect was local resident George Chalmers who also designed the Wilcox House at the corner of 156 and The Alameda, and the Marentis House at 45 Monterey Street.
In 1882 the building was turned over to the community to be administered by a board of trustees. In 1886 a congregational denomination had it moved to its present site at the corner of Third and Muckelemi Streets. At that time, the structure was repaired, repainted, and the porch was enclosed to make the present vestibule. It has been home to a variety of religious denominations over the years.
The original steeple was removed after the 1906 earthquake. In 1970, Kenneth Beck presented a 24-bell carillon to the Glad Tidings Church in memory of his wife, Hazel Prescott Beck. In 1973, a restoration effort of the building was sponsored by Native Daughters of the Golden West San Juan Bautista Parlor, which included painting, landscaping, and installing new shutters and a picket fence. Many community organizations participated in the effor, and a bronze plaque was installed at the church designating Glad Tidings as San Benito County Point of Historical Interest No. 001. In 1974, after chicken barbecues and other fundraisers, a new sheet metal steeple replicate of the original was installed.
Today the Glad Tidings Church is home to a non-denominational assembly. Sometime after the 1989 earthquake, the foundation was retrofitted and the carillon chimes were restored with community donations in 1999, but have been silent for several years due to their age.
Supported By 24x7 WP Support Desk