The History of Columbus First Seventh-day Adventist Church
In the spring of 1912, Elder Dan Stevenson, assisted by Bible Worker J.A. Thompson and colporteurs Mr. and Mrs. Weber, held a series of tent meetings on the corner of Talbotton Road and 10th Avenue in Columbus, Georgia. As a result of these meetings, five people were baptized, becoming the first Seventh-day Adventists in the city.
Later that fall, Elder W.S. Willis conducted another series of meetings, adding four more members. This small group began meeting for Sabbath School each week in the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Smith.
In January 1913, the first company of believers was officially organized with the nine original converts along with Elder and Mrs. Stevenson. For several years, the group met in various homes for Sabbath School, as there was no regular pastor. Church services were only held when a visiting pastor came from the Conference.
In 1914, the first church school was established in a one-room building in the backyard of Mrs. Sullenberger’s home. Remarkably, this church school has continued to operate, without interruption, for 111 years, demonstrating the church’s long-standing commitment to Christian education.
The Columbus First Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized on May 9, 1925, with 13 members. On the same day, four more individuals were baptized at the Eastern Heights Baptist Church baptismal pool, bringing the total number of charter members to 17.
Baptisms in June and August of 1925 added 15 more members, strengthening the growing congregation. For the next year, services were held in a rented hall on the corner of Linwood Boulevard and 17th Street, while the first church building was under construction.
The first church building, located at 1420 17th Street, was dedicated on May 8, 1926, with Elder W.H. Heckman delivering the dedicatory sermon. Arthur Byrd served as the first pastor.
In 1963, during the pastorate of Elder Roland Ruf, the church purchased a lot on the corner of Macon Road and Elm Drive for $15,000. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 19, 1965, with participation from Georgia-Cumberland Conference President Elder Desmond Cummings, Education Secretary Elder E.M. Erickson, Columbus Mayor Ed Johnson, Pastor A.C. Becker, and church members.
On August 6, 1966, the congregation moved into the new building. The 17th Street church was sold to a local pharmacist and became Durham’s Pharmacy. The building was moved to Talbotton, GA, and remodeled into a home.
In 1993, under the leadership of Elder Maurice Witt and member/builder Lorenz Saylor, a new addition was constructed, and the sanctuary was enlarged to better serve the growing congregation.
In 1999, during the pastorate of Elder Joel Neil, the church purchased 15 acres on the corner of Hancock and Schomburg Roads for $119,500. The Macon Road church was later sold to Fog Development in 2002, and a Walgreens Drug Store was built on the site.
Over the next couple of years, the church constructed a new facility on the Schomburg Road property. For the first time in almost 100 years of continuing existence, the church school was housed in its own building, separate from the main building. This was a priority for the congregation as the church continued its long standing to Christian education. While waiting for the construction to be completed, the congregation and the school continued to worship and hold classes at St. John’s Methodist Church on Weems Road. For approximately 2 years, the church upheld the mission to move forward in unity, seeking God’s guidance and continuing His work in the Columbus community.
In October 2004, Columbus First Church held its first official service in the completed sanctuary, school and fellowship hall. The Lord blessed the church with a larger, more modern campus with ample room for growth and expansion. Now, for the last 20 years, the congregation has continued to share the Gospel, the 3 Angles Messages and the hope and reality of the soon return of Jesus.
As we enter our 2nd Century, we continue to pray for God’s Blessings and Guidance as we strive to honor and share His Word with our community.
