The History of our Church

Bay View Baptist Church was organized in 1958 by members of the First Baptist Church of Chula Vista and in 1959 moved into its new worship center, with the first Pastor Rev. Bill Bray. The purpose of our church is to meet the needs of all people in the Chula Vista area and to help meet the worldwide mission responsibilities given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19.
Rev. Bill Bray left in March 1960.
Rev. John Eldred 1960-1962.
In 1961 Art Spitty built the Education Building.
In this early stage the church was partially financially supported by the ABCPSW.
Joe Cockran was interim Pastor 1962-1963.
Jack Wilson 1963-1966.
Jim Ally 1966-1969.
Dr. Chas Tally served as Interim Pastor between many of these Pastors.
John Swatzell pastored the church from April 1970-December 1979^{(when he retired)}.
During Pastor Swatzell's term, the Mortgage for the church was paid off and burned in June 1978.
Kenneth Kent 1980-1982.
Rev. Swatzell's returned from retirement as interim Pastor until 1984.
Will wilson  1984-1989.
Dr. Pratt (a past guest speaker) pastored the church from 1989-1993.
Jeff Ruthven was the part-time Pastor from 1993-1998 when he was installed as the full-time pastor of our congregation until 2003.
Jeremiah Montejo began as Sr. Pastor in February 2005.
In January 2005 Jeremiah resigned as Pastor.

We are an ethnically diverse Christian community.
In addition to local outreach and service programs our congregation, through the American Baptist Churches, helps support over 220 missionaries and some 11,000 national workers on mission fields. We also help support colleges, seminaries, hospitals and orphanages throughout the world.

210 E. Jamul Ave. ^{(see MAP)}  Bus 702
Chula Vista, CA 91911