Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church

Two Milestones Celebrated

by Barbara Mittleider
photos by Britni Brannon

May 16 dawned a beautiful Sabbath morning, perfect for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the organization of the Adventist Church in Calhoun, and the 10th anniversary of worshiping in its current location.

From a small beginning the church was organized in Gordon County on September 30, 1939 with seventeen charter members.  The organizational meeting was held in the home of B.F. Tucker on the Hurlbutt Farm, which is the present site of Georgia-Cumberland Academy.  After organization, meetings were held in the Boy Scout Hall in Calhoun and the Hurlbutt Farm Chapel.  One charter member, Mildred Gerber Ward, was able to be present for this 70th anniversary.
 

From this small beginning the church has thrived.  It continued meeting and on January 11, 1945 was at Scott Sanitarium at Reeves Station.  Progression was made as membership grew to the building of a church on South 41 in 1947.  In 1972 four acres were purchased as a future site for a new church and ground breaking for the new construction was held on April 17, 1975.

As the church continued to grow it was voted to sell the church, move and develop a new church location.  In November of 1997 a building committee was chosen for this new project and on My 10, 1998 ground was broken for the new development.  The 32,000 square feet building was finished and the grand opening was held on May 8, 1999.  In December 2004 the debt was retired and on February 5, 2005 a mortgage-burning celebration was held.

Today, giving all glory to God, the church membership stands at 830.

So, it was fitting that May 16 was set aside for special celebration of what God has wrought in this place. From the first strains of the organ music, to the final taste of the fellowship meal, it was a day of celebration.  Singing together during Sabbath School, participating in the panel discussion for the lesson study, listening to special music presented by the quartet, the choir, the orchestra, combined to make it a very special day in the life of the Calhoun Church. Former pastors joined the current pastoral staff in enlarging the ministry of the spoken word, in prayer, and above all, everyone participated in joyful Christian fellowship.

Former pastors include (from left) Henry Uhl,
Stan Patterson, Wilma Zalabak & Bob DeForest.