“Sabbath School at 9:15 AM.” That’s the invitation extended by the Jamaica Seventh Day Adventist Church. This church at 88-28 163rd St in Jamaica, New York welcomes all. It stands as a beacon of faith and community.
The Jamaica Seventh Day Adventist Church holds a special place in the area. Its story intertwines with the broader history of the Seventh-day Adventist movement. The teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church reached Jamaica in 1890. Someone in Antigua sent the book “The Coming King” to Mr. James Palmer in Kingston. Palmer sought more materials from Battle Creek, Michigan. He shared them and they started a study group at 1 Laws Street in Kingston.
Invited persons from the Church’s headquarters helped. The first Adventist Church in Jamaica with 37 members was organized in 1894. It was at South Race Course in Kingston.
The work grew. Various organizational territories appeared in the Caribbean and Jamaica. Two organized territories emerged. There was The Jamaica Conference in 1903. The West Indian Union Conference followed in 1906. It comprised Jamaica and other islands. The name West Indies Union came into being in 1959. The Jamaican field grew with two distinct territories. There was East Jamaica Conference. It had the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, Portland, St. Mary and St. Catherine. West Jamaica Conference included St. Ann, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St, James, Hanover, Trelawny and Westmoreland.
In 1961, the third Seventh-day Adventists Conference in Jamaica was organized. This was the Central Jamaica Conference. It covered the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon, St. Ann, Western St. Mary and St Catherine. The first business session was held in Spanish Town. It began on October 26, 1961 at 9:00 a.m.
Pastor Hiram S. Walters was elected as the first president. He also was Religious Liberty Director. Miss Edna W. Parchment became the Secretary and Treasurer. Pastor Edwin Hyatt was Director of Health & Welfare, Temperance and Sabbath School. Pastor Leroy S. Carter was responsible for the Missionary Volunteer Society, Education and the Public Relations. Pastor Theodore McLeary handled Publishing. Dr. Hiram Sebastian Walters, “Uncle Tim,” passed away in October. This was when the Conference observed its 40th Anniversary.
In 1962, Jamaica became an independent nation. Central Jamaica Conference had 39 employees and 10,497 members in 131 churches. It continued to make men, women, boys and girls independent from sin. On July 12, 2002, during its First Quadrennial Session, the parishes of St. Mary and St. Ann were ceded to the North Jamaica Conference. Before the adjustments, Central Jamaica Conference had 235 churches and 42 companies in 44 pastoral districts. It had 71,083 members and 178 workers. After the division, the Conference had 163 churches and 25 companies in 39 districts. There were 59,794 members and 144 workers.
The Jamaica Seventh Day Adventist Church continues its mission. It offers services like Sabbath School at 9:15 AM. Sabbath Worship Service is at 11:00 AM. Bible Knowledge Hour is at 3:30 PM. Adventist Youth Ministry meets at 4:30 PM.
The Jamaica Seventh Day Adventist Church stands as a testament to faith. It also shows community spirit. It is more than a building. It is a family united in worship and service. Remember the words: “Sabbath School – 9:15 AM”. Come and be a part of this vibrant community.