D is for Reverend and Mrs. Drake

I don't remember these people but the names stay in my memory. Reverend Drake was the pastor of our little church in La Puente, California and of course, Mrs. Drake was his wife. I have a couple photos of them taken by my mother long ago.

Immaunel Baptist Church was started in Revered Drake's house in 1953. 

By 1958, the church on Francisquito Ave. was completed. 

Mrs. Maddox, Mrs. Cockrell, Reverend Drake, Mrs. Crane, Mrs. Drake, 1958, Immanuel Baptist Church

Where the Drake house once stood turned into a parking lot, progress at its best. 

Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Crane, Reverend Rich, and Reverend Breland, who was the Pastor in 1958. In West Covina where Rev Drake's home stood when Immanuel Baptist Church was organized.

Immanuel Baptist Church, La Puente, California, Church history from 1953 to 1958

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church was my church home from 1953 to 1965. My memories of the church and all those who attended with me seems to take on a magical feel. We lived in the same neighborhood, attended the same schools, and went to the same church. We were a close group that lasted until we went to high school. My mother documented much of the early history in pictures.

Reverend Drake started the church in his home in 1953. That was the same year we moved to La Puente, California. Photo taken in 1954 with my brother and I with Faye Drake, wife of our first pastor. 

In the Spring of 1955, ground was broken for the first building of the new church location at 15847 Francisquito Ave, La Puente, California. My brother and I are in the second picture. I am the one in front of the sign, shading my eyes and my brother is in front of me. 

At the time of the groundbreaking, the church was meeting at the Women's Clubhouse in La Puente, California. The 1954 Mother Daughter banquet was held there. I am in the center picture. 

In 1955, the Mother Daughter Banquet was still at the Women's Clubhouse. Ruth Linda Wadley, my best friend, was sitting between her mother, Lida and big sister, Dorothy 

I am in the center of the picture below. 

September 4, 1955, the first building was dedicated.  Rev. Benny Bates, P Boyd Smith, Rev. Glen Smith, Pastor, Mrs. George Myers holding the Pastor's daughter, and George Myers are gathered at the front door. 

The church was a long rectangular building. In the front, there were church offices, then the sanctuary. In the back was a crying room where parents could still here the message and take care of the baby at the same time. There was no nursery to drop the little ones off and everyone went to church together. This is a picture of the crying room.

September 1956, my family at church. The two young ladies are Patsy and  Sandra Peach.

My mother directing the Primary Choir in April 1957. This was the day of the ground breaking for the 2nd building. 

Most of the work was done by the church family. This is Oscar Moser doing the cement work for the foundation. 

2nd building going up but the church it didn't get in the way of Vacation Bible School. 

The only one I recognize in these pictures is me, scowling in the top photo and Birdie Baker, corralling the kids. She is on the left next to the building. 

The Reverend Clyde Rich was the pastor at the time of the groundbreaking. There would later be a third building, a sanctuary on the corner of the property. I don't have pictures for that but do have lots and lots of memories of the church and the kids I grew up with. I am posting these pictures in hopes that someone will know some of these people. 

I believe that this Southern Baptist Church is no longer active but that does not take away from the time we spent as a church family and the work that God did through this church. 

Helen and Gerald Rawson

Not relatives but very much family. Helen and Gerry were newlyweds the same time as my parents. They shared a house in Los Angeles for a short time but both families ended up in La Puente, California.

Helen and Gerry lived in a big two story home, set back from the street. I remember big trees. I think Helen watched us for a time when we were smaller when my parents were at work.

Gerald Rawson was born in Los Angeles on March 11, 1925 and passed away on December 14, 2008 in South Paris, Maine. Helen was born in Auburn, Maine on March 14, 1927 and passed away on December 29, 2001, in Augusta, Maine. They had four children.

David was born a couple of weeks after me. Rachel was born the same year as my brother. I was five when Johnny was born and eight when Claudia was born. Her birthday is easy to remember because it's also my birthday. All us kids grew up together and I have so many memories of the times we spent together.

Rachel passed away on January 1, 1983 at the young age of 31. My husband and I attended her service and spent the day with the family. Rachel was a sweetheart and is still missed. Helen and Gerry attended my parents 40th wedding anniversary party in 1987. Right now I can only find two of the pictures so those are the ones I'm sharing here.

 Helen is the woman on the right. This picture was taken at my parent's home in Nuevo, California. I don't know the people in the middle but the man on the left is my Uncle Johnny.

Uncle Johnny is now on the right and Gerald is sitting on the piano bench. My sister-in-law Julie is on the left. 

Although I can't seem to find any other pictures, I know they are here somewhere. Still, right now, it's good enough because they are not just names and dates on a chart, they were loving and wonderful people.