Harvey and Daeida Wilcox had a dream that took its first official step on this day in 1887. The Topeka, Kansas natives had decided to “go west” after Harvey had made his fortune in real estate. The dream was to establish a town that would be the most utopic place on Earth for believers. This would be a tea-totaling town, free of vice, immorality, perversion, gambling, peep shows, honky-tonks, and saloons.
Harvey had lost both of his legs earlier in life due to polio. This had not diminished his Christian spirit and desire to be in a place with like-minded believers who embraced Biblical morality and shunned the perversions and vices of the world. The excitement of having such a sanctified place consumed him and his wife.
The purchase of 160 acres was made and the property was named and officially registered on February 1, 1887. As Harvey developed the land, laying out streets and getting them named, his wife was busy raising funds to build churches, a school, and a library. This exclusive community would stand as a beacon to the world of what conservative Christian living looks like. At least, that was the desire of the Wilcox family.
They needed a name for their newfound community but what would reflect their earnest desires? The word “holy” had to play into the name but they didn’t want it to be that conspicuous, lest it sound overtly pious. Finally, they came up with the perfect name.
Hollywood. As in Hollywood, California.
Yes, you read that right. Hollywood, California was started as a Christian community that despised worldliness. By 1900, the population was 500. “In 1910, the community of Hollywood voted to consolidate with Los Angeles due to an inadequate supply of water.
Shortly thereafter, the fledgling motion-picture industry began growing exponentially, as moviemakers found their ideal setting in the mild, sunny climate and varied terrain of Southern California. As the years went by, Harvey Wilcox’s dreams of a sober, conservative religious community faded even further into the background, as Hollywood became known throughout the world as the gilded center of an industry built on fantasy, fame and glamour.”1
Today, Hollywood is known as Tinseltown. There are many churches, 19 schools, six colleges, and three libraries. The alcohol flows freely from bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. And nobody has ever accused Hollywood of being conservative, moral, or religious.
How did this happen?
Reading your Bible with a set of Bible maps produces a similar reaction. Consider these Scriptures:
Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Acts 17:10-12 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (12) Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 18:23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 20:15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
Acts 19:17-18 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (18) And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
These verses barely scratch the surface of all Paul’s missionary journeys. The Gospel was spread throughout modern day Italy, Greece, Asia, Turkey, Syria, Israel, and Egypt. Yet, today, a Christian population is scarcely found. Instead, Islam is in several places while others are overrun with “Christian” religion void of an understanding about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Tradition enslaves many.
How did this happen?
I’m sure that there are many contributing factors but one of them must be in something Paul said to young Timothy. We must make sure that we practice what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:14. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”
We MUST continue! We must continue in the things taught in the Word of God. We cannot fail in this mission. 1 Timothy 4:16 reminds us again, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/official-registration-of-hollywood
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