A wave of tranquility washes over you as you stand before the Iglesia adventista. Its serene presence contrasts with the vibrant energy of Arequipa.
This unassuming church holds a significant place in Arequipa’s history. It represents the quiet perseverance of early Adventist missionaries. Their dedication brought a new faith to this ancient city.
In 1898 two groups of Adventist missionaries arrived from Chile. Their journey was fraught with challenges. The first group faced immediate hostility. They were swiftly deported after distributing pamphlets near the Arequipa market. The second group took a more cautious approach settling in Lima to establish themselves. They worked hard supporting themselves before venturing out.
Despite initial setbacks the Adventist message spread slowly. By 1904 several individuals had been baptized. Eduardo F Forga a native of Arequipa played a pivotal role. He had studied in Germany and Switzerland. Upon returning home he actively promoted temperance religious freedom and the rights of the indigenous population. He reprinted articles from the Adventist magazine El Faro. He even paid for subscriptions for his friends and family. This quiet dissemination of literature prepared the ground for the eventual establishment of the Adventist church.
The work continued. The church in Lima received visits from missionaries including Pastor G H Baber. He even proposed moving the mission headquarters to Callao. This was eventually rejected. Later missionaries like Pastor Ketring visited. He conducted secret night meetings. Religious intolerance meant public gatherings were risky.
The arrival of Pastor Frankling Leland Perry in 1905 marked a turning point. He faced a challenge in the form of a bubonic plague quarantine. Despite this delay he established himself working with local leaders. He found the church was meeting in a small shop behind a grocery store. Julio Nerio Espinoza a Peruvian colporteur played an important role in the work spreading the message far and wide into the interior of the country. His unwavering faith led him to even return to a hostile town five times.
Frank E Hinckley an astronomer from Harvard University became the sole Adventist in Arequipa in 1908. He worked at the Carmen Alto Observatory. His presence and that of other missionaries continued to strengthen the church’s foundation. Even a devastating earthquake in 1908 failed to halt their efforts.
The story of the Iglesia adventista in Arequipa is one of resilience and unwavering faith. It is a testament to the dedication of those who braved prejudice to spread their message of hope. The quiet strength of this building reflects this remarkable history.