About
A happy and faithful group, not just light-bearers on the hilltop, but friends of the community and symbols of hope, who meet to worship the true and living God on what the world undoubtedly agrees is the best day of the week -Saturday.
Mission
Our mission is to bring every man, woman and child to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.History
In the mid 1940's the small community had the opportunity of what was thought to be a strange phenomena. Happy voices defying cultural norms, making themselves not just a light on the hilltop, but a formidable spectacle worshipping on what the world undoubtedly agree is the best day of the week -Saturday.
With deep curiosity the question was asked, "who are they?" And history answered! Mr. Wilfred Blake - a colporteur, Miss Sandy Bennett, Mr and Mrs Roberts, and Catherine Campbell, who were led by Pastor McCalla. These indomitable stalwarts didn't have a place to physically established their company, and for other unknown reasons had to leave Mt. Airy. They had a short stay at a location in Iron River after-which the company was lead to the home of one of its members - Brother Wilfred Blake, who lived in Belmore Road.
As the eight to twelve members traversed the community to enter the house of praise on Sabbath mornings, they endured ridicule, which many passers-by lavished in as their amusement.
In the fourth week of July, in 1947, a crusade began at the company. A young Graduate Pastor, Owen Holness, conducted it. The message unleashed the entire arsenal of God's word, and in the first baptism 21 persons were baptised, including a young woman who passed the company one day accusing the members of being a bunch of lazy people. She was baptised on August 24, 1947, and she is our Dear beloved Sis. Ilene Hunter, who has been a committed member for over half a century. On August 31st, 1947, seven more souls were baptised.
As a result of the church's growth, Brother Blake could no longer facilitate the hosting of Sabbath services at his home, so an area in Mt.James was offered temporarily by the Campbell's family on the property on which they were living. Hands and heart became one in mission and purpose and these pioneers with little material wealth used material from their rich environment to create a beautiful structure on the land which was then under a lease agreement. In 1947 the Mt. James S.D.A. Church was established headed by pastor Woodburn and Brother Campbell the first elder.
It was approaching the season of spring and nature was just about clothing herself with the vigour and beauty of a new life, as was a young man who's heart was touched by the gospel of Jesus and after three weeks of keen and intense interest he joined a baptismal class and in the fourth week, March 23rd, 1952, was baptised. This young man, Brother Leslie Grant, soon became the second elder.
Each Sabbath morning was splendid, shining with resplendent beauty. The cool air from the valley and river collided at the plateau of the hill allowing the brethren to breathe the fresh aroma of natures bounties, while refreshed by the breeze from the river; typical of Eden to listen to the voice of the maker of earth and heaven. Soul-less creatures (termites) burrowed through the aged bamboo, and the man of God, Pastor Bennett got his impeccable coat was marred by termite dust. The faithful members sat on unvarnished benches enclosed by wooden walls daubed with mud and clay, and stood on a earth toned floor beautifully carpeted by dust. This experience did not deter the servants of God from worshipping God in the beauty of holiness. The preceding condition lasted until about 1957 ..................
.................................................................................................................................................... Visit us in a week for more on our history
With deep curiosity the question was asked, "who are they?" And history answered! Mr. Wilfred Blake - a colporteur, Miss Sandy Bennett, Mr and Mrs Roberts, and Catherine Campbell, who were led by Pastor McCalla. These indomitable stalwarts didn't have a place to physically established their company, and for other unknown reasons had to leave Mt. Airy. They had a short stay at a location in Iron River after-which the company was lead to the home of one of its members - Brother Wilfred Blake, who lived in Belmore Road.
As the eight to twelve members traversed the community to enter the house of praise on Sabbath mornings, they endured ridicule, which many passers-by lavished in as their amusement.
In the fourth week of July, in 1947, a crusade began at the company. A young Graduate Pastor, Owen Holness, conducted it. The message unleashed the entire arsenal of God's word, and in the first baptism 21 persons were baptised, including a young woman who passed the company one day accusing the members of being a bunch of lazy people. She was baptised on August 24, 1947, and she is our Dear beloved Sis. Ilene Hunter, who has been a committed member for over half a century. On August 31st, 1947, seven more souls were baptised.
As a result of the church's growth, Brother Blake could no longer facilitate the hosting of Sabbath services at his home, so an area in Mt.James was offered temporarily by the Campbell's family on the property on which they were living. Hands and heart became one in mission and purpose and these pioneers with little material wealth used material from their rich environment to create a beautiful structure on the land which was then under a lease agreement. In 1947 the Mt. James S.D.A. Church was established headed by pastor Woodburn and Brother Campbell the first elder.
It was approaching the season of spring and nature was just about clothing herself with the vigour and beauty of a new life, as was a young man who's heart was touched by the gospel of Jesus and after three weeks of keen and intense interest he joined a baptismal class and in the fourth week, March 23rd, 1952, was baptised. This young man, Brother Leslie Grant, soon became the second elder.
Each Sabbath morning was splendid, shining with resplendent beauty. The cool air from the valley and river collided at the plateau of the hill allowing the brethren to breathe the fresh aroma of natures bounties, while refreshed by the breeze from the river; typical of Eden to listen to the voice of the maker of earth and heaven. Soul-less creatures (termites) burrowed through the aged bamboo, and the man of God, Pastor Bennett got his impeccable coat was marred by termite dust. The faithful members sat on unvarnished benches enclosed by wooden walls daubed with mud and clay, and stood on a earth toned floor beautifully carpeted by dust. This experience did not deter the servants of God from worshipping God in the beauty of holiness. The preceding condition lasted until about 1957 ..................
.................................................................................................................................................... Visit us in a week for more on our history
