Merced Adventist Centennial

                            1907                                            November 9-11, 2007                                                         2007



History of Merced Church

On Thursday, May 23, 1907, "White City" began operation at the corner of 21st and J streets in Merced.  This well-attended camp meeting for the California and Nevada conferences of the Seventh-day adventist Church continued through Sunday, June 2.  Visitors came in from all over California in addition to many residents of Merced and the surrounding area.  The large assembly Pavilion, located near the camp's main entrance on 21st street could hold about 800people.  There wee also three large tents for youth and children's meetings, each measuring about 30 by 50 feet as well as a large dining tent, which could accommodate 225 people.  Guest speakers included the President of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Field Secretary of the California Religious Liberty Association, Elder Henry Shulz, the "Farmer Evangelist" from San Fransisco, and Ellen G. White, an aged lady with a special message, who was active in the founding of the Adventist Church.

A few weeks later, Ellen White wrote a letter to Dr. Ludwig (Lud) H. Wolfsen, an Adventist medical doctor, telling him that he should stay in Merced and raise up a church.  Thus it was that Amos Stevens, who was about 22 years of age, held a series of meetings, and in the fall of 1907, the old Baptist church at 18th  and O  streets, was purchased.   It was on November 2, 1907, [first church building] that the Merced Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized.

On September 24, 1927, the Adventist congregation moved into its new church building (formerly the First Methodist Church) on the corner of 20th and H Streets [picture].  This church building served the Adventists of Merced for over forty years.

In the early 1960’s fund raising began for a new church building.  This was accomplished on May 30, 1970, when the Auditorium/Gym on M Street (near Loughborough Drive) was used for the first time for a worship service.

In 1981, after many attempts to sell the M Street property, through the providence of God, the Auditorium/Gymnasium and the six and one-half acres of land that remained was sold to a business developer for $1,085,000 cash.  With these funds, our current facilities (located at the corner of East Olive Avenue and McKee Road) were constructed.  “Ground Breaking” was held on Sabbath afternoon, May 8, 1982, with a Land Dedication Service instead of the usual shovels and turning of dirt.
The first service held in our current complex (Olive East Seventh-day Adventist Church) was on November 2, 1982, in celebration of the Adventist church’s 75th anniversary in Merced.  Though the building was not quite complete and it was cold outside (and inside) it was filled with Christian warmth. The first worship service in our Olive Avenue facility  was held on December 11, 1982.
Click here for a more detailed history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and School in Merced.