Patchogue SDA Church

Patchogue
Seventh Day Adventist Church

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History of our church

The Patchogue Seventh-Day Adventist Church was organized on January 7, 1922. It was a small company of people meeting first in the chapel of the Patchogue Congregational Church. Services were very simple. When they met for communion after the service of humility the "roll was called in which every member responded by giving a testimony. The Lord's Supper was served, then they sang a hymn and went out" (Quoted from old records). Local Elder John Hanson from the Brooklyn German church was their leader for many years. (1922-1932).

They were so delighted when they received their first official pastor, Elder W. A. Ralls, his wife and children. They moved from the Congregational Church to the Knights of Columbus Hall in Patchogue, where they stayed through the 1940's. Elder Holtz became their Pastor during this time. They moved their meeting place once more to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Edwards Ave. in Patchogue in 1950 where the rent was $15.00 per month. Elder Rief was the Pastor in 1950. During all these years all board meetings, prayer meetings, etc… were held in private homes of the members.

Elder Arthur Hirsh became Pastor in 1952 and remained until 1956, when Elder Combo took over. Thoughts for a permanent home for Patchogue Church had been slowly emerging. Around November 1956 plans to purchase the Baptist church in Patchogue were discussed and members went to see the building on North Ocean Avenue. The church and parsonage cost $30,000.00. Elder Combo strongly urged and promoted the purchase of the Baptist church for the new Patchogue SDA church home. The second Sabbath in the church, seven people were baptized.

During the ensuing years the church followed the pattern of most churches, changing, growing, moving ahead with the Lord's work. Think of all those who have come in contact with our little church, moving on to other places and have spread the love of Jesus to others. The biggest change in our physical structure was in relation to the additional school rooms and renovation when Elder John Lorntz was Pastor in 1981. During Elder Lopez's tenure (1988-1992) new baptistery and kitchen, renovated fellowship hall, restrooms, and church office were completed. Through the efforts of Elder G. Hixon (1992-1994) the selling of the North Ocean Avenue property enabled us to refurbish and make cosmetic improvements, pave the parking area and paid off our debts. Under Elder Garbi's leadership (1994-1997) we completed the sanctuary renovations and installed the downlink satellite system. A new organ was acquired during the summer of 1998. Each Pastor has added his own special talent, leaving some improvement on our church property. God has blessed us abundantly.

PASTORS SINCE 1970
A. Klingstrand, T. Wilson, M. Valenca, J. Lorntz, J. MacLaughlin, O. Newball, C. Johnson, A. Rodriguez, T. Lopez, G. Hixon, S. Garbi, Dr. R. Shoemaker, J. Herndon, M. Vargas.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE PATCHOGUE CHURCH BUILDING
It was originally built on Railroad Avenue, and was moved by carts to its present location on North Ocean Avenue. The front steps and the area behind the baptistery were added at a later time.

NOTE
If you have any information or memorabilia related to the Patchogue SDA Church or any correction to the data presented in this informational sketch, please contact the church clerk at 184 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, New York 11772. Thank you