Church of God Seventh Day

Stepping into the vibrant tapestry of Minneapolis’s history, we find ourselves before the Church of God Seventh Day. This unassuming building holds within its walls a story that stretches back to 1858, a tale of faith and dedication that began in western Michigan. The Church of God Seventh Day emerged from a group of devout Christians who sought a deeper understanding of their faith. They questioned traditional doctrines, embracing the authority of the Bible alone and observing the seventh-day Sabbath, a practice rooted in the creation narrative. Their commitment to these principles set them apart from other Adventist groups of the time, particularly due to their rejection of the teachings of Ellen G. White. In 1863, the Michigan group joined forces with a like-minded church in Marion, Iowa, strengthening their movement. The Church of God Seventh Day began to spread its message, primarily through their publication, “The Hope of Israel.” This periodical, which later evolved into the “Bible Advocate,” carried their distinct doctrines across the United States. The Church of God Seventh Day formally organized its General Conference in 1884 and incorporated in Missouri in 1899, establishing its headquarters in Stanberry, Missouri. The Church of God Seventh Day experienced a significant division in 1933, a rift that centered on doctrinal interpretations and organizational structure. This led to the establishment of a separate headquarters in Salem, West Virginia. Despite attempts at reunification in the 1940s, resulting in the merger of the Stanberry and Salem conferences, some factions remained independent. The headquarters of the largest group eventually moved to Denver, Colorado in 1950. Today, the Church of God Seventh Day continues to maintain a global presence, with affiliated conferences and churches in numerous countries. While the Church of God Seventh Day’s history is complex, marked by both unity and division, its enduring commitment to biblical principles and Sabbath observance remains a testament to its founders’ original vision.