Church leaders from around the world gathered in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, this month to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle Creek Tabernacle, a historic congregation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
General Conference president Erton Köhler joined the nine-day celebration, which opened October 2 with singing and a presentation on the Tabernacle’s history.
Köhler delivered the October 3 worship service. He thanked the congregation for "taking care of this building, and for strengthening the vision and identity of the church, and for keeping our mission always alive."
In his sermon, "What Do These Stones Mean?" Köhler emphasized the importance of celebrating the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and training the next generation to remember that God's leading in the past is evidence of how He will lead us in the future.
Mark Behnke, mayor of Battle Creek, expressed his appreciation for the church and its positive influence on the local community.
The current building was dedicated in 1926, but the congregation’s roots on the site go back nearly 150 years. The original church, known as the Dime Tabernacle, was dedicated in 1879. It got its name from the way it was paid for: at James White’s suggestion, members gave a dime a month for a year to fund construction.
The Dime Tabernacle became a center of early Adventist life. It hosted several General Conference sessions and the funerals of the church's co-founders, James and Ellen White.
Fire destroyed the original building in 1922. The congregation rebuilt on the same property, and the new Battle Creek Tabernacle was dedicated four years later.
Robert Aldrich, who attended the Battle Creek Tabernacle's 1926 dedication ceremony, attended the celebration. His father rescued the bell clapper from the Dime Tabernacle fire. The clapper is still used by members today.
The celebration continued with music by the Andrews University Singers, Charles and Julie Reed, Buddy Houghtaling, organist Kenneth Logan, and former Tabernacle Organist Debbie Candy. The King's Heralds Quartet closed the week's music with a concert.
“Every musical selection was a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness,” said Chris Holland, senior pastor of the church.
Pavel Goia, a speaker on Adventist World Radio, and Norman McNutly, neurologist and author, spoke at the evening meetings hosted during the celebration. McNulty closed his series with the parable of the ten virgins, offering practical steps members can take to prepare for Jesus’ second coming and calling them to remain faithful until He returns.
Former members and pastors of the Battle Creek Tabernacle attended the celebration. Special meals were prepared by volunteers on both Sabbaths, giving current and former members an opportunity to connect.
"What a great celebration! A little foretaste of heaven where we can be with the people we love and care about forever!" said Martha Keough, wife of former Battle Creek Tabernacle pastor Alger Keough.
For Holland, the celebration was also an opportunity to look ahead.
“The biggest blessing of the week for me was the reflection that this was not just a celebration about the past, but a strong emphasis on our present and future. God is doing something and will continue to do something special in Battle Creek. We are called to trust Him, obey Him, and follow the Lamb where He leads.”
The original article was published on the Lake Union Conference news site.
