History of Tallahassee First Seventh-day Adventist Church
History of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tallahassee, Florida
Our church had its first beginning in 1922 when an effort was held here. Three were baptized into the Florida Conference Church. Sabbath School was held in various homes, with usually fifteen in attendance. After our church was organized in 1937, we met in the Woodmen of the World hall, then located at the corner of Park Avenue and Adams Street. We had twenty-four charter members and met in a room above the Fire Station on Adams Street, across from the Baptist Church. In 1942, another effort was held and a "Tabernacle" was built at the corner of Copeland and Lafayette Streets.
To the delight of church members, a new Seventh-day Adventist hospital was located at the corner of Gadsden and McDaniel Streets. It was called Forsyth Memorial Hospital in honor of Dr. Edna Forsyth, a dental surgeon who funded the hospital. Dr. William Westcott, a surgeon arrived to serve as the first doctor.
In 1947, the church purchased three lots across the street from the hospital, at the corner of Gadsden and Johnston Streets, as the location for a new church. In July 1954, members met for the first time in the new church.
In 1962, the need for a separate facility to house our growing church school became evident. Ten acres were purchased on Hartsfield Road and in 1964 students moved from their current classroom in the basement of the church to their new school, two classrooms and a library.
Gloomy days were ahead for our church members as Forsyth Memorial Hospital closed in 1964. The new Tallahassee Memorial Hospital opened which had taken patients away from Forsyth.
In 1970 there was a need for a larger church building as membership stood at 243, with church school enrollment at 36. In 1980 it was voted for funds to build a new church on Capital Circle, our current location. Our Pastor, Clarence Pillsbury, had been a builder before going into the ministry and was instrumental in overseeing the building of the church. It was a memorable experience when our members met for the first time in our new church, 1982.
Compiled by Ola Joyce
November 8, 2010
About Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father's will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promised to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.