Can you imagine the blend of cultures meeting right here? This is the San Francisco Chinese Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It stands as a testament to faith, community, and the Chinese Adventist story in North America.
The San Francisco Chinese Seventh-Day Adventist Church holds a special place in history. It marks the beginning of Chinese Adventist congregations in North America. The church’s story began with families. Joseph Keh and his family joined Mrs Wong Hee Yeung’s family. They started a journey of faith that would establish a lasting community.
Now let’s go back to the roots of these founding families. Mr Keh’s father was Pastor Keh Nga Pit. He served as a pioneer worker in Fujian province. Mrs Keh was the daughter of Pastor Ang Tsi Kit. He was a pioneer worker in Shantou. Mrs Wong Hee Yeung lived next to Mrs E. H. Wilbur. The Wilburs were pioneer workers in South China. These connections show the strong dedication to spreading their faith.
Mrs S. A. Nagel continued Bible study with Mrs. Wong Hee Yeung. Nagel and her husband worked in the Hakka Mission and Shantou Mission. Mrs. Wong Hee Yeung became the first Chinese Adventist baptized in North America. This was a monumental moment.
Pastor E. G. Annofsky offered Bible study sessions in San Francisco. He had worked in South China before. J. E. Christensen and John Oss also helped with evangelistic work among the Chinese community. Joseph Hwang Ru Yu, a church elder, came from China. He joined this growing group. Mrs. Wong Hee Yeung led them to purchase a large house on Hyde Street. They transformed it into a meeting place.
The San Francisco Chinese Seventh-Day Adventist Church was officially founded in 1950. Leong Wai Chow became its first pastor. This marked a new chapter for Chinese Adventists in North America.
The church continued to grow. In 1959, Wallace Chan Woo Shang held successful evangelistic meetings in San Francisco. He was invited back in the mid-1960s after founding the Los Angeles Chinese SDA Church. More successful evangelistic meetings followed under his leadership. The growing membership showed the need for a larger building.
Hwang Ru Yu and Walter Chin coordinated the construction project. Both were church elders. Jerry Chang Chung Wai was the pastor at the time. Dr. Chan Shun generously paid for half of the construction. The new church building was dedicated in July 1978. Its location is 7777 Geary Boulevard.
The San Francisco Chinese Seventh-Day Adventist Church continues its mission today. It is a place where faith and heritage meet. It stands as a beacon of hope for the Chinese community in San Francisco. Remember its humble beginnings and the dedication of its founders as you pass by. Their story is a remarkable example of faith. It shows the strength of community.