Berean Baptist Church

820 N 9th St.

History: This building dates back to 1896. At this point in time, no historical information is available for the original congregation. Nueva Esperanza’s congregation was officially founded in 2002. At that time, they rented from Berean Baptist Church. Soon, Berean’s congregation dissolved and sold the building on North 9th Street over to the growing Nueva Esperanza church in 2007, where they plan on remaining for many years to come. Pastor Ferdinand Vargas says, “This church is a miracle from God. God gave us this gift. We want to maintain it for the community, generation after generation.”

Congregation/ space: Though the original wooden pews were removed and donated to needy churches and replaced with movable chairs, the sanctuary space contains lovely original stained glass windows around the perimeter as well as an ornate piece behind the baptimal font. One will also find 2 original wood carvings on the wall above the altar, one of a dove with an olive branch and another of a woven cross. Additionally, the church building has 2 fellowship spaces, a kitchen and several rooms that serve as space for the congregation’s children and youth.

Programs: Nueva Esperanza has a new Sunday School program as well as youth programs and bible study each week. In addition to the work they do locally, opening their doors for holiday meals for the needy in the community, they do missions work in and collect clothes for developing countries.