History of Smyrna Mid-City Seventh-day Adventist Church

Smyrna’s history began in 1914, with the work of Elder S. M. Jones, foreign mission worker, from the West Indies. His efforts began with house-to-house work. As a result, many accepted the Message, including Sister Henderson, (in whose home the church met for many years). Elder Jones left El Paso in 1916, for Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

About 11 years later, Elder E. M. Gates came and pastored for two years, leaving in 1929 for Lubbock, Texas.

In 1949, Elders Howell and Runnels held a tent effort here, and only 1 soul was baptized.

However, Brother C. L. Jones from Roswell, New Mexico, came to El Paso in 1950. At that time, there were only 5 members but under his leadership, the church began to grow. Not having a church building, the Spanish S. D. A. Church came to the rescue, and the church met in there building for a while. Brother and Sister J. L. Turner joined the little flock and after a diligent search, Brother Turner found a place for the church meetings, in the Masonic Hall on Raynor Street. In this building several families were added to the church: the Wheeler family, the Bolds family, the Johnson family and the Fuller family.

In 1960, Elder L. B. Baker began a tent effort on Alameda Street, with over 20 members in the church and 2000.00 cash in the building fund. Under his leadership, many souls and several thousands of dollars were added. A new church was built on the corner of Roosevelt and Wyoming Streets. Some years later, the highway department for its freeway tore down this building, but the Lord provided another church building (the present site) on the corner of Yandell and Raynor Streets. At that time Elder Calvin Robinson was pastor.

The magnificent hand of the Lord has been seen in the history of this church. The Sabbath we began worshiping in the new location, the building was dedicated debt free. The property includes the main church building with a balcony and spacious basement; a smaller building which housed the Spanish S. D. A. Church, for many years had two dwellings.

As we look back to the time that the church worshiped for 35 years in the private home of Sister

Henderson, with the Austin family and the Kelley family supporting and as we look at the present time, truly we can say with grateful hearts, “ What hath God Wrought ! “

Under the present leadership of Pastor Raynell R. Smith, who stresses evangelism and much prayer, we have high hoped for the future. We keep as our goal the constant requesting of the Lord that He will pour out His Holy Spirit on us that we may finish the work He would have us to do, so we can go home with our wonderful Lord!

Pastors in our history include: Elders G. Chissell, L.B. Baker, C. L. Jones, R. F. Warnick, C. Robinson, R. E. Brown, L. W. Draggon, J. C. Wray, J. A. Morris, O. A. Jackson, E. L. Howard, G. D. Howell, F. S. Hill, W. S. Lee, A. L. Dyson, F. R. Williams, M. Solis, and R. R. Smith.