Our History

In the 1940’s, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a woman shared a dream with Rev. Lee and Mrs. Anthony, that actually became a prophecy fulfilled. She said he would build two churches, a small church and a big church not too far from each other. The big one would not be finished right away, and he would not be able to see it finished. The woman also stated that two of his sons would pastor the church. “One born in Louisiana, will be the helper, one born out there, where you are going to move, will be the pastor.”

Our History Continued...

Lee and Ica Anthony, left the life of sharecropping in Louisiana, and moved to San Francisco to work in the Ship Yards. Realizing the challenge of raising a large family of 14 in San Francisco, they moved to Bakersfield in 1948 because agriculture field work was available.

So began the journey leading to the formation of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church in 1951 at 326 Madison Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93307. The first four years of the church services were held in a green army Creole tent with alkali dirt floors and sawdust with wooden benches for the church members to sit. The first members of St. Peter MBC were Rev. Lee and Sis. Ica Anthony’s 14 children.

The earthquake of 1952 created a large crowd and the construction for an edifice which was completed in 1954 and seated 150 worshippers. Baptisms were held in the canal off of Belle Terrace Street. In 1956, a remodeling project on Madison added a baptismal pool, social hall, kitchen, four classrooms, and an extra bathroom.

After much prayer, in 1980 a new site for the church was purchased at 510 East Brundage Lane. 

Plans were drawn to erect a 20,000 square foot structure with a seating capacity of 1,100 worshippers. In addition, the structure would house a fellowship hall, a kitchen, four offices, eight classrooms, a bookstore, a conference room, a nursery, and other necessary rooms.

An additional 1.6 undeveloped acres adjacent to the existing 3.9 acres were purchased for future projects. The land package totaled 5.5 acres. In 1984, groundbreaking and construction began and in 1985 St. Peter was incorporated.

January 31, 1987, Rev. Lee Anthony unexpectedly passed and went home to be with the Lord. In his place, in May of 1987 Rev. Oscar J. Anthony was elected Pastor and his older brother, Elder Ralph W. E. Anthony, was elected Assistant Pastor.

One of the most significant miracles the Lord provided was through an elderly man of German descent, by the name of Mr. Paul Grauf. Mr. Grauf scribbled an initial check for $25.000 and after three more scribbled checks, Mr Grauf donated around $160,000.00 for our church construction.

In 1992, the facility at 326 Madison Ave. was sold to the Gethsemani Apaostoles eProfetas Church which lead to services being held in a tent on the present site. In 1993 completion of the fellowship hall allowed church services to be held inside. Also in 1993, the church name was modified to St. Peter Restoration Community Christian Ministries, though remaining Missionary Baptist.

In 1995 the sanctuary was completed and services moved out of the fellowship hall. The Dedication took place June 25, 1995 with a march from 326 Madison Ave. to 510 E. Brundage Lane. To this day we are growing as Disciples of Christ and Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth at 510 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, California. 
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