Approximately ten years of planning, sacrifice, and hard work from many people climaxed in the Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church's holding its first meeting in the new facility in Vernon on July 28, 2001. 

In a way, this was a homecoming because the Brattleboro Church was first organized in Vernon in a private home in 1912.  For many years the group met in various members' homes and rented facilities in Brattleboro.

An interesting factor in Vernon's contribution to the church is the part played by Rachel Oakes Preston, whose home was on Pond Road.  She was instrumental in convincing a group of Adventist in Washington, NH, that they should keep holy the seventh day of the week.  Her grave is in the Tyler Cemetery on Pond Road in Vernon. 

After moving to Brattleboro, VT, the growing congregation rented a building on Cottage Street for about ten years before purchasing it in 1936.  These facilities were used until the move to Vernon on July 28, 2001.

An open house was held on September 8, 2001, at which time over 300 members, guests, and community attended morning and afternoon meetings to celebrate the event. 

Although the building is incomplete and a Phase II is planned when a fellowship hall is to be added, the members are challenged to utilize this structure to develop their own spiritual lives as well as bear the Gospel story to the tri-state area.

~ by Paul Miller