History of Saint Rest Baptist Church

The West Fresno Community grew rapidly during the early years of the Second World War. Noticing the growth of California Avenue and knowing that there was no church established there to accommodate residents of that area, the Reverend A.W. White prayerfully thought of organizing a church in that area. Following his dream, Rev. White sought counsel with the late Reverend L.C. Garrett, Pastor of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Having received helpful and encouraging counsel from Rev. Garrett, Rev. White began a prolonged and dedicated fundraising venture for the purpose of raising funds to build a church.

In 1944 a few Christians met in the home of Brother and Sister Levi Rogers, on Eunice Street, and a new church congregation was born. The church was named Saint Rest Baptist Church and Rev. White was led to be the pastor. There were six (6) charter members of the church. They were Brother and Sister Rogers, Brother S.O. Sheffield, Sister Bettie Carter, Sister Laura Halstead, and Sister Tella Nolen.

The year 1944 was a prosperous year for the young congregation. More members were added to.the church. 1945 was an even more prosperous year of the church as other members were added and four (4) men were selected to serve as deacons. The men were Brothers Levi Rogers, S.O. Sheffield, M. Clay, and Rue Bass.The first election of church officers took place in 1945. Those elected were Brother Sheffield, Treasurer; Sister Laura Halstead, Secretary, and Sister Tella Nolen, Superintendent of Sunday School.

During 1945 the church purchased its first property; the northwest corner of Ivy and Florencewas first selected, and this was followed by the purchase of the northwest corner of Eunice and Florence. Neither of these pieces of property proved satisfactory because neither afforded ample space for off-street parking. The property located at 2281 South Ivy was then purchased. Through the assistance of the Northern California Baptist Convention the church was able to borrow the use of an army surplus metal building to be used until the church was able to build a suitable building in which to worship.

In 1945 groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted. Not long thereafter Rev. White became ill and was not able to perform his pastoral duties. The Reverend M.F. Clay was called as pastor and served for the period of one (1) year. In 1946 the Reverend C.D. Davis was called as pastor and church experienced some growth. During the administration of Rev. Davis, several auxiliaries were organized to further the witness of the church.

Under the direction of Sister Tella Nolen the Women’s Mission Auxiliary, the Senior Choir, the Youth Choir and the Baptist Young People’s Union were all formed. Sister Maderia Harvey served as pianist. Sister Betty Nunley began service as secretary of the mission and held this office for many years. Rev. Davis resigned as pastor of the church following approximately two (2) years of service.

In 1948 during the month of October, the Reverend J.L. Hall was called to pastor and began a good work at the Saint Rest Baptist Church. The church foundation had been laid in 1945 during the pastorate of Rev. White. However, a building had not been erected and worship services were conducted in the metal building located just north of the foundation.

At this time, the metal building was taken down and trucked away to a site where another congregation had need of it. It is interesting to note that Pastor Chester Riggins, then a young college student, assisted in dismantling the metal building. Worship services were held in a former store building located at the corner of Clara and Florence Streets.

During the administration of Rev. Hall, the church constitution and By-laws were adopted, and a loan was negotiated with the Northern Baptist Convention so that the long-awaited building of a worship facility could be erected.

In 1949 Mr. George Neal, Sr., was hired as a contractor to build the church building. There was such a need for a place to worship that it was necessary to hold services in the building before it was completed. Finally, in 1950 the church building was finished, praise God! The very first funeral ever to have been held in the new church building was that of the organizer of the church, Rev. A.W. White.

During Rev. Hall’s administration five (5) men were added to the Deacon Board; Brothers Frank Nolen, Fred Nolen, Jack Green, Shirley Richardson, and Sam Andrews.

Rev. Hall resigned as pastor in November of 1950. In 1951 the Reverend Carter was called to pastor and served the church as pastor for almost two (2) years. During this administration, the church purchased its first mimeograph machine and had its first printed Sunday bulletins with Sister Lonnie V. Morris serving as bulletin clerk. When Rev. Carter left the church, the Reverend John C. O’Neil served as interim minister until the Reverend E.C. Johnson was called as pastor in 1954.

Under the pastorage of Rev. Johnson the church had a healthy growth. A child evangelism class was held at the church for a number of years. Sister McFarland taught the class until her health would not allow, then Sister Rowena Lark became the teacher. During this time four (4) deacons were ordained; Brothers Robert Anderson, Moses Williams, Chester Riggins, and Hiram Jameson. Deacon Anderson confessed his call to the ministry during this time. The church mortgage was paid off. Rev. Johnson served as pastor of the church until 1961 before he resigned as pastor.

For approximately eight (8) months the church was without pastoral leadership. During this time,
the church continued to function as a ministering body, and the deacons of the church assisted visiting ministers in the observance of the church ordinances under the leadership of the late Pastor Chester Riggins, who at that time served as chairman of the deacons’ council. A pulpit search committee was organized and instructed to seek God’s guidance in the matter of selecting a minister to serve as pastor of the church. The Reverend Hudson Spencer Moore accepted the call to be pastor of Saint Rest. Rev. Moore served for two (2) years. During his pastorage, previously mentioned Chester Riggins acknowledged his call to the ministry and was licensed to preach in January of 1961.

The Reverend L.C. Garrett invited Rev. Riggins to come and serve as Youth Minister for the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and Rev. Riggins accepted the invitation.

In 1962 following the resignation of Rev. H.S. Moore, the church called Rev. Riggins to come and serve as pastor of the church. Rev. Riggins accepted the call and he and his family returned to the Saint Rest Baptist Church. He was installed by Rev. Garrett in 1962.

Pastor Riggins walked the church through a season of unrest. When he began the ministry as pastor at Saint Rest the church was in a season of unrest and under his leadership the church began to experience a season of growth. The church began to grow dramatically, spiritually, numerically, and financially. New members joined the church. Old inactive members renewed their commitment to God and the church. Through Community Witnessing and House-to- House Revivals the congregation began to outgrow the church building. Through the teaching of the tithe and some members’ obedience in paying the tithe, plans were made for the construction of a new worship facility. God was wonderfully blessing the work.

Building plans were accepted, a loan was secured from Bank of America after the first loan was rejected, and a building contractor was hired. Groundbreaking ceremonies were celebrated in March of 1978. The excitement of building was spread throughout the church and the community. God blessed the building of the church congregation and church building.

By the grace of God, the church was able to hold its entry service on Christmas Eve. Sunday, December the 24th, 1978 with an entry march from the old building through the neighborhood to the present building. There, deacon/trustees cut the ribbon and delivered the keys to the building to Pastor Riggins. The community joined in on the afternoon celebration.

Throughout construction of building the new facility Pastor Riggins constantly reminded the congregation that EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE, THEY LABOR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT (Psalm 127:1)

Under the patient leadership of Pastor Riggins, many beneficial church programs were instituted. For example, House-to- House Revival, Community New Life and Big Brother and Sisters for new members Ministry, Marriage Workshops, Food and Clothing Ministry, Support of Foreign Ministries like “Have Christ Will Travel” with Rev. Jeter, and Support of local missions like Poverello House and the Fresno Rescue Mission and many other ministries. Also, under his administration the church became known around the state as a fundamental Bible believing church with a strong emphasis upon evangelism and Bible study.

Numerous Sons of Saint Rest were called to the ministry under Pastor Riggins and trained by him. They have gone out into various communities and cities to pastor, spreading God’s word.

In sickness and in health Pastor Riggins continued to be the Pastor that God called him to be for 44 years, until February of 2006 when God retired him. Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Chester Riggins passed away March 10, 2009.

Under direction of the Holy Spirit, in August 2006, the church selected Rev. Shane B. Scott as Senior Pastor. Pastor Scott was installed on December 10, 2006. He immediately undertook the project of presenting the Fresno City Planning Commission the renaming of East Florence

Avenue to the East Rev. Chester Riggins Avenue, in honor and recognition of his predecessor, Rev. Chester Riggins, Pastor Emeritus.

The of East Florence Avenue renaming was passed overwhelmingly by the Planning Commission and the dedication ceremony was held on June 23, 2007. The church address is now 1550 E. Rev. Chester Riggins Avenue!

Under Pastor Scott’s leadership, Saint Rest had experienced phenomenal growth, both spiritually and numerically. Spiritual growth has revitalized our commitments to tithes and offerings, which allowed Saint Rest to eliminate debt, upgrade office equipment, install a financial management system, and redesign an area in the church for the exclusive use of Sharron’s Place, our nursery and toddler’s room. His leadership led him to establish the planning core team for the purpose of fulfilling the vision of Kingdom Building and the Hope Center. Under Pastor Scott’s tremendous leadership, the church applied for and received 501(c) (3) approval, and with the approval, we have been able to establish the Saint Rest Economic Development Corporation. For five (5) years, the Lord led Pastor Scott to take Saint Rest to unforeseen growth and recognition. In 2011, Pastor Scott resigned to continue his anointed call in Watts, CA.

By the move of the Lord, the church asked the Children, Youth and Young Adult Pastor, D.J. Criner, to serve as Interim Pastor in October of 2011. As the Interim Pastor, the church was led to remodel the sanctuary, nursery, social hall and trustee room. Interim Pastor Criner re- established the mass choir, the marriage ministry, and the Hallelujah night.

Under his interim leadership the neighborhood night walk was started, held a Press Conference in Lieu of the Trayvon Martin Verdict, the father/son breakfast was delegated to Deacon Dale Knott to lead, the Wednesday worship, along with the USDA/Food Bank giveaways which feeds more than 500 families a month.

On June 18, 2013, Pastor DJ Criner was called by God as the Senior Pastor of the Saint Rest Baptist Church and through prayer and trusting in God. Since his calling we have been blessed to acquire and partner with West Fresno Family Resource Center for the obtaining of the California and Elm Gym in November 2012. Opened a produce market to give fresh produce to our community. Upgraded our media and video ministry with a new sound and projection system from our sister church, The Well Community Church. We began work on creating a park and green space for the Saint Rest community in 2013.

Several associate ministers have been added to the ministerial staff. Also, noon day bible study was added to the teaching line-up as well as 11:00am Hour of Power and Prayer. The creation of our dynamic Prayer Ministry, engaging Face-2- Face Ministry, re-establishment of the Rosebud Choir and the introduction of the Praise Teens who in 2014 opened for Vickie Winans at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. The reorganizing of our children and youth ministry under the leadership of Children and Youth Pastor Archie Copeland has seen more children and teens in the church then there is room to hold them.

In July of 2014 we were honored to have Farmer John’s donate their building to the Saint Rest Baptist Church for the expansion of our food distribution ministry.

During his first year as Senior Pastor, Pastor DJ Criner traveled throughout the United States to preach and facilitate seminars, dedicate buildings, organize four marches through the West Fresno community, hold press conferences surrounding the Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown deaths, and Gaston Middle School openings. Pastor Criner was asked to pray for the opening of the new Super Wal-Mart on Kings Canyon and organized with Pastor B.T. Lewis a 400 plus march through West Fresno to call for peace. Pastor Criner, in connection with PICO and FIC, organized a call for justice and peace rally at Fresno City College in solidarity of Michael Brown.

In August of 2014, he was asked to travel to Ferguson, MI to stand with 1000 clergy as they marched and prayed with the residence of Ferguson. In 2015, he and Lady Jessica Criner traveled to Philadelphia, PA where the Pope visited, and Memphis, TN as he was recognized as one of the 80 under 40 years old rising pastors in the nation in the area of social justice.

In celebrating Saint Rest Baptist Church’s 73rd Anniversary under the leadership of Pastor Criner this year has been filled with thanksgiving and praise for the Only True and Wise God. This year Pastor DJ serves as Campus Pastor of Fresno Pacific University North Campus, an advisor on our Mayor Code Enforcement Task Force, Community Liaison with for our church District, and has accepted to the Foster Care Standards and Oversight Committee.

Saint Rest is also grateful for the partnership with its sister church The Well Community Church and Pastor Brad Bell who has provided resources and support to aid in the vision and future of the church family as God has spoken to us about building classrooms to accommodate our ever-growing children and youth ministry, as well as extra classrooms for the ministries of the church. Our E.D.C. board is working to build green space that will provide our community with quality greenery and our block party more space. God is not finished, and neither are we.

We are always excited to see what God has in store for the Saint Rest Family, but as it is written,

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. The best is yet to come because we are trendsetters!