Baptist Convention of Western Cuba
Encyclopedia
Baptist Convention of Western Cuba or Convención Bautista de Cuba Occidental is an association of cooperating Baptist churches in western Cuba.
The first Cuban Baptists were patriots who were exiled to the United States
during the Ten Years' War
(1868–1878). Some became Baptists while in the U. S., and later returned to Cuba
. Exile Albert Díaz joined a church in New York City
. He returned to Cuba in 1882, and organized an independent congregation at Havana in 1883. In 1885, he was ordained as a Baptist minister, and, in 1886, he led his church to become Baptist. Southern Baptists sent C. R. Daniel to oversee the work in 1901, and he was instrumental in organizing the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba in 1905.
Other Baptist organizations in Cuba are the Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba
or Convención Bautista de Cuba Oriental (org. 1905), the Free Will Baptist Convention of Cuba or Convención Bautista Libre de Cuba (org. 1943), and the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba or Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba (org. 1989).
The Fraternity of Baptist Churches was started in 1989 by three churches expelled from the BCWC because of views related to politics, open communion and open baptism. A recent reconciliation between the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba and the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba led to the "Fraternity" becoming a member of the Baptist World Alliance
, of which the Western Convention was already a member. Baptists in Cuba form one of the largest non-Catholic denominations on the island. Churches in Cuba are free to hold meetings in their church buildings or in homes, but not in public places.
The Baptist Convention of Western Cuba had 7,627 members in 113 churches in 1995. The Convention is an independent organization, but cooperates with both American Baptists and Southern Baptists
. Victor Gonzales is the general secretary of the BCWC (2000).
The first Cuban Baptists were patriots who were exiled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the Ten Years' War
Ten Years' War
The Ten Years' War , also known as the Great War and the War of '68, began on October 10, 1868 when sugar mill owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and his followers proclaimed Cuba's independence from Spain...
(1868–1878). Some became Baptists while in the U. S., and later returned to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Exile Albert Díaz joined a church in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He returned to Cuba in 1882, and organized an independent congregation at Havana in 1883. In 1885, he was ordained as a Baptist minister, and, in 1886, he led his church to become Baptist. Southern Baptists sent C. R. Daniel to oversee the work in 1901, and he was instrumental in organizing the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba in 1905.
Other Baptist organizations in Cuba are the Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba
Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba
The Baptist Convention of Eastern Cuba or Convención Bautista de Cuba Oriental is one of the largest Protestant churches of Cuba. The Church is active in seven provinces.-See also:* Baptist Convention of Western Cuba...
or Convención Bautista de Cuba Oriental (org. 1905), the Free Will Baptist Convention of Cuba or Convención Bautista Libre de Cuba (org. 1943), and the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba or Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba (org. 1989).
The Fraternity of Baptist Churches was started in 1989 by three churches expelled from the BCWC because of views related to politics, open communion and open baptism. A recent reconciliation between the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba and the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba led to the "Fraternity" becoming a member of the Baptist World Alliance
Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
, of which the Western Convention was already a member. Baptists in Cuba form one of the largest non-Catholic denominations on the island. Churches in Cuba are free to hold meetings in their church buildings or in homes, but not in public places.
The Baptist Convention of Western Cuba had 7,627 members in 113 churches in 1995. The Convention is an independent organization, but cooperates with both American Baptists and Southern Baptists
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
. Victor Gonzales is the general secretary of the BCWC (2000).
Source
- Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.