A Brief History of Anderson SDA Church
A Brief History of Anderson SDA Church
The Adventist message was first brought to Central Indiana by way of tent meetings held in the l860’s. The Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was organized on September 20, 1872, with five Churches comprising the constituency.
Around 1884 a fledgling group of Adventist believers southwest of Anderson began meeting in an interdenominational church called Forest Chapel. Here they worshiped for about 4 years, until the Sunday worshipers began to object to the Adventist presence in the chapel on Saturday.
From that time forward the group continued to meet in private homes and other rented facilities, sometimes out-of-doors.
The first planned outreach in the city of Anderson was apparently started in 1888 by 5 colporteurs from the Rockford Church. As a result of this ministry and a tent effort held in 1890 more believers joined the group. In 1898 another tent meeting culminated in the organization of the Anderson Seventh-day Adventist Church. There were thirty charter members.
By 1900 the members began looking for a suitable location to build a Church. Brother George Parker, a charter member, donated ground located on Nell Street near 22nd Street, where a Meeting House was built and Sabbath Services were held. By 1902 the first Church School was started in the Meeting House. School continued to meet there through l958. From 1958 until 1961, School was held in the basement of the new Church building on West 8th St.
1952 Meeting House on Nell Street
By 1907 the Congregation was becoming too large to continue holding Services in the Meeting House. Brother W.P.B. Gray found that an old Episcopalian church was available for $700. The building had to be moved in order to build the Central Junior High School in that location. Brother Gray called the Adventists together to present his challenge: “The Episcopalian Church is for sale; however, we have to decide tonight if we want it.” They would need to have the money by the next morning to close the deal. Without hesitation five gentleman provided the $700 and the deal was closed early the next morning.
1952 Meeting House on Nell Street
Property was purchased at 811 West 13th Street and the building was moved and refurbished. Services were held here until the present Church structure was completed in 1958.
Interior of 13th Street Church
The current Church property at 1122 W. 8th Street was purchased in 1956. With lots of volunteer labor and faithful support from the membership, the project was ready for the first Sanctuary Service in January, 1959. The Cornerstone reads “JESUS CHRIST THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. Eph. 2:20” The building is only a structure built by humans, but dedicated to the Worship of God.
Anderson SDA Church in 1958
By the Fall of 1961 the new Church School at 1123 W. 7th St. was completed. School continued there until the Spring of 1999 when Cross Street Christian School first opened its doors, The 7th Street building is currently the home of the Anderson Hispanic S.D.A. Church.
(Most historical data collected by the late Virginia Reedy.)
Original Church School
Cross Street Christian School