The church became a catalyst in founding the Central Philippine University (CPU), the first Baptist and second American university in the Philippines and in Asia, established through the benevolent grant of an American industrialist and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller in 1905.

On February 28, 1900, Dr. Eric Lund and Braulio Manikan of the American Baptist Missionary Union arrived in Iloilo City followed by Rev.

Charles Briggs and founded the church at Castilla Street in Jaro City, Iloilo.

[3][1] At the same time, Lund and Manikan corroborated by Placido Mata, Vicente Doronila and Pascual Araneta translated the Bible to Hiligaynon vernacular – Ang Bagong Katipan (New Testament) and Ang Daan nga Katipan (Old Testament).

Charles Briggs opened out stations in Pavia, La Paz and Hinaktakan.