Coronado Baptist Church started in the city of Tucson with a tent in 1927.
As one member put it, “In this flexible structure there was born a group that didn’t seem to mind the fact that periodic winds would surely blow their meeting place down.” Leadership from First Baptist Church supported and encouraged this “group-in-the-tent,” whereas time passed, the Coronado Heights Baptist Mission became well-known in the community.
The church was formally organized in 1947 with 27 charter members, and the name was officially changed to Coronado Baptist Church at that time. The church building was built and dedicated on N. Park Ave on April 6, 1950, and has been a light for the Lord Jesus on that piece of property ever since.
Pastor Vic & Cheryl Crews came to Tucson in the fall of 1998 to start the Tucson Independent Baptist Church. Early Bible studies were held at various locations including King’s Chinese Restaurant. For a couple years, the Crews pastored two churches simultaneously — the Victory Baptist Church in Wilcox, AZ, and TIBC in Tucson. It was in early 2000 that the Crews moved to Tucson where they would serve for over 20 years. Under the leadership of Pastor Crews, the church saw many souls saved, baptized, and families added to the church. His desire to reach children began the bus and van ministry. Many lives have been impacted through this ministry which continues today.
While TIBC was experiencing growth and facing a move from a place they were renting, Coronado Baptist was on the decline and looking to sell the church property. God divinely brought the two churches together, and during this transition, it was agreed that TIBC would take the name of Coronado Baptist Church as well as the property to continue the work of Christ. Pastor Crews continued to serve the Lord at CBC until he went home to be with the Lord in January 2021.
Pastor Jason first came to TIBC in 2009 as a missionary raising support. Little did he know then that he would become the pastor some 12 years later.
Pastor Jason and his family accepted the call to pastor CBC in March and made their final move to Tucson in June of 2021.
We are grateful for the godly examples in leadership that the Lord has given to our church through the years.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: