HISTORY
1906
1906
The Buddhist Temple of Alameda had its beginnings in 1906 as a branch of the Buddhist Church of Oakland, when ministers from Oakland came to Alameda to officiate at funerals and other religious services.
1916
1916
In 1916, the Alameda group became autonomous under the name Ashi Bukkyokai, renting an unused store for services. Its first minister was Rev. Chisei Shinohara, with a membership of sixty families. Ten ministers have served us in the ensuing years.
1919
1919
In 1919, an old Victorian mansion was purchased from a former mayor of Alameda. With the addition of a social hall in 1926 and periodic remodeling since then, the original structure has served us well over the many years.
1929
1929
On September 10, 1929, the BTOA Temple Bell was installed when Rev. Shosin Taguchi was the resident minister.
Embossed on the bell are the names of the following Issei pioneer members: Yonezo Enomoto, Kiyoji Fukumoto, Sadahichi Hayashida, Kumajiro Kanzaki, Umetaro Kondo, Iwakichi Momii, Sakutaro Nakagawara, Shikataro Nakano, Shujiro Nakano, Ushitaro Otsuka, Kumataro Shimada, Kumagoro Takagi, Tsurukichi Tanaka, Matsuzo Yamashita, Shinichi Yoriji.
You can also find an embossed poem written by Bishop Koyu Uchida, the 4th Socho of the Buddhist Churches of America. The bell is still in use at the temple to this day.
1939
1939
During World War II, persons of Japanese ancestry were ordered to relocate from the West Coast to internment camps by Executive Order 9066. The U.S. Navy took over the temple for use as a training school for employees and enlisted personnel. After the war, temple members began returning to Alameda, and the temple was turned into a temporary hostel for the displaced families. Prior to WWII, the Japanese community was concentrated in the blocks around the temple. After the war, members have disbursed to other parts of Alameda and the Bay Area. The period since 1956 has been a time of great expansion for our temple in meeting the needs of our changing membership.
1956
1956
In 1956, to commemorate the Temple’s 40th Anniversary and to honor their Issei parents, the Temple’s young adults created a Japanese-style garden that remains a focal point of the Temple’s grounds.
2016
2016
BTOA celebrates 100 years of gratitude!
“Today, we join hands together and celebrate this wonderful centennial milestone As we do so, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to our Issei, Nisei and our present and future temple members, for your tremendous and dedicated support of the best temple in Alameda. Congratulations and Omedetou!” – Zuikei Taniguchi, Resident Minister of BTOA
2026
2026-History
It’s our 110th Anniversary!
“Looking upon the 110th Anniversary of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, we come to another significant milestone of celebration! We continue with the theme of “110 Years of Gratitude”.
How appropriate this is as we look back upon all the lives of members, families, and friends who have contributed in so many ways to maintain our temple as a beacon of Wisdom and Compasssion for the greater community. We provide support and stability when needed most. We can be very happy with such a legacy.” – BTOA Reverend Dennis Fujimoto
1906
1906
The Buddhist Temple of Alameda had its beginnings in 1906 as a branch of the Buddhist Church of Oakland, when ministers from Oakland came to Alameda to officiate at funerals and other religious services.
1916
1916
In 1916, the Alameda group became autonomous under the name Ashi Bukkyokai, renting an unused store for services. Its first minister was Rev. Chisei Shinohara, with a membership of sixty families. Ten ministers have served us in the ensuing years.
1919
1919
In 1919, an old Victorian mansion was purchased from a former mayor of Alameda. With the addition of a social hall in 1926 and periodic remodeling since then, the original structure has served us well over the many years.
1929
1929
On September 10, 1929, the BTOA Temple Bell was installed when Rev. Shosin Taguchi was the resident minister.
Embossed on the bell are the names of the following Issei pioneer members: Yonezo Enomoto, Kiyoji Fukumoto, Sadahichi Hayashida, Kumajiro Kanzaki, Umetaro Kondo, Iwakichi Momii, Sakutaro Nakagawara, Shikataro Nakano, Shujiro Nakano, Ushitaro Otsuka, Kumataro Shimada, Kumagoro Takagi, Tsurukichi Tanaka, Matsuzo Yamashita, Shinichi Yoriji.
You can also find an embossed poem written by Bishop Koyu Uchida, the 4th Socho of the Buddhist Churches of America. The bell is still in use at the temple to this day.
1939
1939
During World War II, persons of Japanese ancestry were ordered to relocate from the West Coast to internment camps by Executive Order 9066. The U.S. Navy took over the temple for use as a training school for employees and enlisted personnel. After the war, temple members began returning to Alameda, and the temple was turned into a temporary hostel for the displaced families. Prior to WWII, the Japanese community was concentrated in the blocks around the temple. After the war, members have disbursed to other parts of Alameda and the Bay Area. The period since 1956 has been a time of great expansion for our temple in meeting the needs of our changing membership.
1956
1956
In 1956, to commemorate the Temple’s 40th Anniversary and to honor their Issei parents, the Temple’s young adults created a Japanese-style garden that remains a focal point of the Temple’s grounds.
2016
2016
BTOA celebrates 100 years of gratitude!
“Today, we join hands together and celebrate this wonderful centennial milestone As we do so, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to our Issei, Nisei and our present and future temple members, for your tremendous and dedicated support of the best temple in Alameda. Congratulations and Omedetou!” – Zuikei Taniguchi, Resident Minister of BTOA
2026
2026-History
It’s our 110th Anniversary!
“Looking upon the 110th Anniversary of the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, we come to another significant milestone of celebration! We continue with the theme of “110 Years of Gratitude”.
How appropriate this is as we look back upon all the lives of members, families, and friends who have contributed in so many ways to maintain our temple as a beacon of Wisdom and Compasssion for the greater community. We provide support and stability when needed most. We can be very happy with such a legacy.” – BTOA Reverend Dennis Fujimoto