In the 1880’s and 1890’s Arlington county was an agricultural community consisting of farms, truck farms and flower gardens. It was a friendly place where neighbors visited over the back fence or in one another’s home. The visits were always welcomed.

It was a time when doors were seldom locked and the streets were safe. The trolly car did not come to Arlington until around the end of the century. Until that time, residents who commuted to Washington had to go by horseback or horse and buggy, to Rosslyn, and then take the trolly into the city.

During the years 1885 to 1892, some new members of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, DC lived in Arlington county. In 1892, a few new members were added to the group including the Lewis and Whitehead families who came from Richmond county where they had embraced the faith some years before. Both families were an important part of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist church history.

A small white chapel, measuring 18 X 24 was built by Mr. Lewis and Mr. Whitehead and furnished by the two families. IT was built on the east side of Glebe Road one block south of Columbia Pike. After its organization Mr. Lewis would serve as first elder of the church.

Lillian and her husband Fred, along with their sons, Fred Jr. and Lawrence, were all members of the church and as each son married, their wives and children joined the church family. Fred Sr. passed away in the early sixities. Lillian now resides in a nursing home in Fredericksburg. She gave an example of the determination passed down to her to help carry on the work in Arlington.

In 1894, the church was organized and the first Sabbath service was held on July 15, 1894. At first, there were only ten members--Mr. and Mrs. Lewis's immediate family and the family of Frank Whitehead. They were: Mr. and Mrs. William Addison Lewis, Mr. George Lewis, Mrs. Cora Lee Lewis Cruz, Mrs. Lilly Lewis, Virginia Alice Lewis Holland, Zoa Branhan Lewis Murry, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Whitehead, Mrs. Josie Whitehead.

Although the husband of Josie Whitehead was not a Seventh-day Adventist, he encouraged his wife in her efforts to support the church. The couple traveled by horse and carriage to attend the first Camp Meeting held in Virginia near New Market. It was there that Mrs. Whitehead had the honor of meting Mrs. Ellen G. White.

A few years later, Mrs. Jennie Holford transferred from the old Washington M Street Northwest Church followed by Mrs. Mary Symonds and her daughter Mrs. Bertha Orrison. Sister Henson, whose first name in unavailable, also became a part of the group. Mr. Guenther Havale joined the church and served as local elder for nineteen years. He was also the guiding light in the organization of the first church school, which had been started in the home of Josie Whitehead in the fall of 1918.

The first term consisted of possibly the third and fifth grades. The first pupils were two brothers and a sister of Marguerite Byroad Matuszak. They were Harold, Bradley and Helen Byroad. Also attending were Harold Christenson, Eunice Havale, Lillian Steuart and Pearl Whitehead.

The first teacher was Mrs. Addie Lewis, the wife of George Lewis. She had a small girl at the time whom she would bring to school. So perhaps "Sunbeam" Lewis should also be included among the first pupils.

Among some of the known names of church school teachers are: Miss Blum who became Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Marie Ellis, Mrs. Mildred Kirkman, Mrs. Elsie Ponle, Mrs. Kathryn Roland, and Mrs. Gladys Rieben Ellison, who along with her husband, Glen, were active members of the church until they retired to Orlando, Florida around 1973. Although Glen passed away in 1990, Gladys remains an active church member there.

Ed Miller, a lifetime member of the Arlington church, was a student of the church school. His teachers included Mrs. Roland and Mrs. Ellison. He and his wife, Kay, are dedicated members of the church and through the years they have held a number of offices. Noel Shanko was a student of Mrs. Kirkman and Mrs. Ellison. He was baptized by Elder Everitt Shull in 1953. He now serves as Ministerial Secretary of the Floeida Conference.

For several years there was no church school due to lack of children of elementary age. However, the first teacher in the new church was Mrs. Renschler from Washington state, whose husband was attending the Seminary that year. Then sister Mizelle taught two years with assistants. By that time the Arlington and Alexandria Church Schools were combined.

Sister Jennie Holford was a firm supporter of the church school and the church. At one time the Lweis family moved away and an attempt was made to sell the church and the property (owned by the Lweis family). In order to save the church, sister Holford and sister Henson lit the kerosene lamps lining the walls and conducted services so that it could not be said the church was no longer being used.

The church of Alexandria, Vienna, and Ilda (now know as Fairfax) were organized as a result of missionary efforts of some of the Arlington church members.

No date is available but the chapel was eventually moved to the east side of Glebe Road. This was accomplished by using a wagon and a team of horses. As darkness came the litttle church had to be left in the middle of Glebe Road. It was Halloween night. A man and his wife spent the night in it to guard it from pranksters. Eventually the husband had to leave to get food and water. Sure enough the pranksters could be seen approaching the chapel. The wife started clapping her hands and singing hymns as loud as she could. Fearing the church was haunted the pranksters scattered in all directions.

Through the years additions were made to provide for Sabbath School and church school rooms.

Most of the time the church of 30 members was without a pastor and the Arlington Church became a training ground for students from Washington Missionary College (now Columbia Union College) who came to 'practice' on them. They came by electric car as far as Rosslyn and were then brought to the church either by horse and buggy or horseback. They were always invited to dinner and to spend the Sabbath in the home of a church member.

One sabbath a tall, stately brunette student came. He had a good speaking voice and spoke like a seasoned veteran. In fact he spoke so well and was liked so much he practiced on the congregation for two years. His name was HMS Richards and Arlington was his first church.

In 1916 Elder Richards with the help of Elder Farley, later chaplain at the Washington Sanitarium and Hospital (now know as Washington Adventist Hospital) held a tent effort near Clarendon. It is not known how many members were added to the church through these meetings but Mrs. Matuszak remembers attending every night for three months.

A partial list of former pastors who ministered to the Arlington Church would be: lders W. A. Colcord, who came to Arlington in 1904. He was an ordained minister, who conducted the first baptism, which was held in historic Four Mile Run. Also included among the pastors are: D. A. Reese, H. E. Robinson, B. E. Connaly, William Mead, A. N. Allen, W. H. Jones, M. E. Kemmerer and Andrew J. Robbins.

Elder Kemmerer served as pastor of the church during the Second World War from 1941 until 1947. HE was eventually called to serve as Treasurer of the Southern Asian Division and in areas throughout India. After that he accepted a call as Under Treasurer for the General Conference.

Elder Robbins ministered to the church from 1948 until 1950. He was then called to serve as President of the West Pennsylvania Conference.

Some of the local elders who served in the old church and in the new church included: Frank Whitehead, who was the first local elder, Brother Hvale, who was elected in 1913 and served for nineteen years, P. S. Dennison, Francis Milliard, and A. R. P. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson writes: "When I came to connect with this church we found a church of about 69 members trying to shine as an electric light and trying to function in very inadequate quarters.

Soon afterwards the church started to raise a fund towards a new church building. They were encouraged by Elders Kemmerer, Francis Milliard and the Conference President and Conference Treasurer. At first the congregation expected to raise about 25 to 30 thousand dollars. Since the fund grew over a period of about five years, building costs mounted higher and higher. The faith of the members had to increase. The Potomac Conference encouraged them by voting to appropriate a sum equal to that which the church could raise. Thus inspired the congregation made a strong endeavor for a year and the sum of about $36,000 was reached with Conference aid.

Definite plans were made to build. A large lot was donared by one of the church members on the corner of South 9th and Lincoln Streets. On Labor Day 1949, most of the men from the church cleared the brush and in the afternoon the first shovel of dirt was turned by Mrs. Josie Whitehead, the only remaining charter member.

Elders D. A. Ochs, the Union President and H. J. Detwiller the Potomac Conference President dedicated the land as sacred soil to be the site for a temple to the Lord. Later on November 1, 1949, these same officials, assisted by Elder Robbins and the local elder, conducted the service of the laying of the cornerstone. On Thanksgiving Day, twelve of the brothers assisted the building crew in the erection of the trusses.

The opening church services were held on May 13, 1950, with a sermon by Elder Detwiller. Elder Robbins was also present. He had helped the congregation over one large mountain and now Elder Everett Shull, who pastored the Arlington Church from 1950 until 1954, would take over the task of furnishing the church and liquidating the indebtedness.

The church finally cost much more than originally anticipated but the Lord blessed and the effort and expense proved to be well worthwhile. The bare church building cost about $65,000 and the furnishings another $10,000. The carpeting of the church was delayed for a number of years and came as gift from a former pastor and his wife.

On December 19, 1953, a litle over four years after the laying of the conerstone a service of dedication was held. Guest speakers on that Sabbath were: Elder C.J. Coon, President of the Potomac Conference, Elder A.J. Robbins and Elder D.A. Ochs, President of the Columbia Union Conference, who gave the Dedication Sermon. Elder E.H. Shull, pastor of the church presided over the Act of Dedication.

In 1954 the congregation welcomed Elder and Mrs. W. Travis Smith. Elder Smith pastored the Church until 1960. He passed away January 1, 1991.

In 1960 Elder Charles I. Soles was assigned to the Arlington Church and served until 1965.

From 1965 until 1969, Elder Tor Dahlberg served as our pastor. He was a native of Sweden where he began his denominational work. While serving the Arlington Church, he met and married his wife, Sylvia. The wedding was held in the church with Elder Carris Lauder, President of the Potomac Conference officiating.

In 1970 until 1972 Elder Eric Norman was pastor of the church. He was also assigned to the Fairfax Church. However, after some discussion between Arlington Church Elders and Potomac Conference officials, he was relieved of his duties as pastor of the Fairfax Chuch to become full-time pastor of Arlington. He and his wife, Ella, were natives of England.

From 1972 until 1978 Elder Clarence Schram ministered to the congregation. Under his leadership the members of the church purchased a house located in the back of the church building. It was bought for about $52,000 dollars and was to be used as a Community Services Center.

Mr. And Mrs. Herman Kollmeyer, members of the church, gave much of their time and financial support to the project. Other members who assisted in many ways included Jim Wilson, Evelyn Amentler, Helen Carlton, Lillian Herbst and Otha McGinnis as well as many others.

The house was officially dedicated in July 1978.

The Center aided hundreds of refugees who were flocking from Vietnam during the late 1970’s. They were given food and clothing as well as furniture when it was available. If they were in need of medical care Mr. Aubrey Robertson, a member of the church often saw their needs were met and paid for the care out of his own pocket.

On Sunday night, April 13, 1980, the purpose of the Community Service Center was realized. A banquet was held at the church to honor the first anniversary of the church’s part in aiding the Vietnamese refugees. Gerard Damsteegt, pastor of the church at the time, welcomed the more than 50 guests who attended the event.

Dr. Gerard Damsteegt and his wife, Laurel, were assigned to the Arlington and Fairfax Churches in 1978. Laurel, who had studied for the ministry, was the first woman to help in the pastoring of the two churches. She proved she was capable of the task and worked her husband in the support of each church.

Calvin Wood was pastor of the church from 1981 until 1983. In the summer of 1982 his wife, Nancy, volunteered to serve as director of Vacation Bible School. With the help of 25 volunteers from the church and various means of advertising 124 children enrolled. Each afternoon, Mrs. Wood, accompanied by one or two of the ladies from the church would ‘march’ through the community. With a chuckle, Mrs. Wood related that not a kid had escaped. Some of the children attended Sabbath School after VBS bringing their parents with them.

Pastor Jim Frost and his wife, Marsha, were welcomed to the church in 1983. Marsha, like Laurel Damsteegt, was capable of preaching and sharing with her husband in the worship services at both the Arlington and Fairfax Churches.

Pastor Frost was ordained in the Arlington Church on Sabbath, October 20, 1984. He was the first pastor to elect, through the nominating committee, the first woman to serve as Head Elder. She was Mildered Rittenhouse followed by Helen Frank who has served in that capacity since July 1985. Both women proved capable of the task.

On Sabbath, February 14, 1991, Elder and Mrs. Keith McNabb and their family of three sons, Darryl, Daron, and Denton were welcomed into our family. Elder McNabb was assigned both the Arlington and Fairfax Churches.

Since coming to Arlington he has worked tirelessly to win souls to Christ and due to his efforts he has held several baptisms. He has worked with the congregation toward making improvements in and around the church building. In 1992 new carpet was installed throughout the sanctuary and lower level. The woodwork on the outside was painted and a new and more attractive church sign was installed. Pastor McNabb has planted flowers making the church lawn more attractive to all who attend or pass by.

In addition to Pastor NcNabb’s and the congregation’s efforts to improve the exterior of the church a portico was added to the front of the church building as a gift from Mrs. Helen Frank.

Linda, the wife of Pastor McNabb, serves as leader of the Primary Division as well as Flower Coordinator. She is a devoted wife and mother and is never without a smile.

On Sabbath, July 29, 1995, we welcomed Elder and Mrs. Daniel Kovacs and their daughter, Lisa into our church family. His first sermon was inspiring and was entitled "How to Be a Christian".

Since coming to Arlington, Pastor Kovacs has held several. Baptisms. The most recent was held on May 23, 1998, when Ben Lazaro was baptized. Ben did not tell his wife about his about his baptism, because he wanted it to be a surprise. What a beautiful scene when he embraced his wife and young son of five months, because they now all belonged to the family of God.

It is though Pastor Kovacs that the church has held free health clinics and the public has been invited. The clinic’s services included flu shots and blood pressure checks. It was a busy Sunday afternoon for at least 30 members and friends of the church. But they all agreed it was a productive afternoon.

In March of 1997, he spent several weeks in Romania as co-leader of 63 students along with teachers, staff and volunteers to help build a church in the town of Sarmasu. While there he held a crusade that yielded six baptismal candidates.

He also served as an assistant pastor at the Capital Memorial Church in Washington DC.

In January 2000, Elder Kovacs resigned as pastor of the Arlington and Fairfax Churches.

While the congregation was without a pastor, Richard Lukens was asked by the conference to lead the church members until a new pastor was found. Mr. Likens dedicated himself to the task even though he held a full time job as a CPA. Not only did he bring sermons to the congregation but he possess a beautiful singing voice as well. At the end of each sermon he would often sing a hymn that related to his sermon.

Through the efforts of the Potomac Conference, Elder and Mrs. Brian Alfred Rhoades and their family have been assigned to us. He also serves as pastor to the Fairfax Church. Elder Rhoades was introduced to the congregation on Sabbath July 15, 2000. Pastor Rhoades and his family, his wife Janetta and daughters Renee and Shanoon, came to us from Zimbabwe.

Just as in those long ago years when two dedicated ladies lit the kerosene lamps hanging along the walls of a humble little church to let the light shine though out Arlington many years ago, so have the dedicated members carried on until we welcomed our new pastor. Therefore, the light of the Arlington Church has been shining continuously in Arlington for 107 years. May it continue to shine until our Lord and Savior comes to take us home.

Written by Evelyn Shanko Robinson.