Central California Conference Black Ministries: A Journey Through History, 1910–2026
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The Rich History:
The picture you are viewing shows 18 Black ordained Pastors at the 1918 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist held in San Francisco CA. None of these men were from California. The reason? There were no Black ordained SDA preachers in California at that time. A work for the Colored people (we were colored at that time) had started as early as 1906 in Oakland, California. In Los Angeles,1906, two laymen from the Central SDA Church were involved in giving bible studies to the black community.
Central California Conference was Organized March 1, 1911, in Fresno CA.
The first black church:
The Central California Conference was organized on March 1, 1911, in Fresno California. The first Black Seventh-day Adventist presence in the conference began with a Branch Sabbath School in the Black town of Allensworth, California. The church was active between approximately 1910 and 1960.
Founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth. Allensworth was California’s first town
established, financed, and governed by African Americans. Seventh-day Adventist families, including the Joshua Singleton and Smith families, moved from Kansas to Allensworth and initially met in homes and later in the school built in 1913. The Allensworth Church was officially organized in 1947 with 17 members and continued to worship until about 1960.
A few of the pastors who served the congregation included Elder Fitzgerald Jenkins (1942), Elder Victor Joseph (1947 – 1949), the organizing pastor. Elder William Penick (1950 – 1957), and Elder Earl Canson Sr. 1957 – 1960. The church ultimately disbanded as the town was slated for demolition in 1966 due to ongoing water issues. That was the official reason for demolishing the town. Many believed that the black Community of Allensworth were specifically targeted and successfully dismantled.
1910 - 1960 Elder Fitzgerald Jenkins Elder Victor Joseph
San Francisco Philadelphian Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Elder Owen Troy Sr. was invited to pastor the newly organized Oakland Market street Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1923. He arrived in Oakland in 1924. While ministering to this new congregation, layman in Oakland and Berkeley witnessed in San Francisco and
began bible Studies. They would take the five cent Ferry to San Francisco and started bible
study groups. By the time the General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist
church met in San Francisco in 1930, Elder Owen A. Troy Sr. of Oakland was ready to organize a new black congregation in the city. The church with 15 members was organized
as the Hamilton Square Adventist Church. Elder Troy would pastor the new congregation
while also pastoring Oakland Market Street until 1931.
In 1932 the south bay area, San Francisco to San Jose, was transferred to the Central California Conference from the California Conference. This new move separated the Hamilton Square San Francisco Church from the oversite of the Market Street Church leaving it without pastoral care. The members held on as long as they could but finally disbanded and joined other churches in the area.
The General Conference had planned the next GC Session for the year 1936 in San Francisco. The Central California Conference was eager to restart the black work in the in
that city. Elder Norman S. Mcleod was invited to bring the Church back together and build
the congregation of believers. With the strong leadership of Pastor Mcleod, they reorganized as the Philadelphian Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served as their pastor
for four and a half years.
Pastor Owen Troy Sr. Pastor N. S. Mcleod
Fresno Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Elder and Mrs. Lyne came to Fresno in 1930, the first workers for the minority population of this cosmopolitan community. They would fan that flame with an evangelistic meeting in May 1931. A tent was pitched on the 100 block of Divisadero between Modoc and Plumas Street.
Elder Lyne was the speaker. Dr. Phillip Ching supported the meetings faithfully in many ways including presenting health lectures and liberal financial contributions. The tent was filled each night. From this effort five precious souls responded to the messages of truth and were baptized in the San Joaquin River. The five that composed the nucleus of this infant company of believers were: Mrs. Ella Reeves, Mrs. Ruth Page, Mrs. Alma Brown, M. Person and Mrs. Royer.
Soon after, Mrs. Lyne started a Dorcas Society, which was a blessing to the church and to the community. This small company distributed literature, visited the sick, gave many bible studies and continued to grow. Below is a picture of the charter members of the Fresno Mission and friends. The Lyne’s are sitting in the front row in the middle.
Bakersfield Southside Seventh Day Adventist Church:
The Seventh-day Adventist work began in the City of Bakersfield with the establishment of the Central SDA church in 1894. The Seventh-day Adventist presence continued to grow in the city as the gospel message was preached. In 1933, there was an evangelistic meeting held at the central church by Evangelist Boothly. As a result of that meeting, where the message of the soon coming savior and the 7th day Sabbath was taught, Colored members were added to the faith. (Colored was used to describe Black Americans in 1933).
On December 8, 1934, a convocation meeting was held at the Emerson School, and a new church was organized. It was called “The Berean” Seventh-day Adventist Church of Bakersfield. And the Church was also referred to as the “Colored Church”.
When the young man Nathaniel Banks finished his ministerial training at Pacific Union College in 1934, he was immediately called by the Central California Conference to settle in Bakersfield and follow up the interest among the Colored people. Banks was from Pasadena, CA and He was TALL – DARK & Handsome.
Approximately six months after Banks arrived, the church was ready to be organized. Banks was engaged to Etta Blue, a newly trained nurse and a pianist. After they married He brought her to Bakersfield, and the church now had 17 members. The new congregation was enjoying its new organization and its young pastor and wife.
They were meeting in the building that the Central Church once worshiped in on “Eye” street. After meeting on “Eye” street for a short while the group secured a small Veteran’s Hall on “O” Street, just north of California Street. The “O” street group seemed to be headed toward a bright future. The membership was growing, and all was well.
Pastor Nathaniel Banks and family
San Jose Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist church:
The story of the San Jose Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church began in 1955 with the faith, determination, and vision of Sister Mary Newson. After relocating from Oakland to San Jose for employment at the Ford assembly plant, Sister Newson immediately set her heart on sharing the gospel within her new community. She identified a neighbor, Sister Alma Whitworth, who was interested in Bible studies. Brother and Sister Epting and others were connected through a member of the Fifth Street Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Gathering faithfully over several months the group studied together using the Twentieth Century Bible Study Lessons and visual teaching tools. As the studies deepened Sister Newson invited her close friend John E. Collins to assist, and through him Harvey Williams joined the team. Together they nurtured a growing fellowship grounded in shared faith and purpose.
With encouragement from Pastor Russell W. Nelson of the Oakland Market Street Church, this small but committed group continued meeting in a storefront and prepared for public meetings. Pastoral leadership was later provided by Pastor Ted T. Jones. On April 27, 1958, Sister Alma Whitworth and others were baptized marking the official organization of the San Jose Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church—an enduring testament to faith, perseverance, and community.
Pastor Ted T. Jones 102 N. 9th Street, corner of St. John & 9th.
East Palo Alto Seventh-day Adventist Church:
It was the year 1960 when the Holy Spirit moved upon the heart of a literature evangelist named Joseph Hutchinson to walk the streets of Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, selling books to people who were thirsty for the water of Life. After the sowing of precious seed into many homes, that same Holy Spirit moved upon the heart of a young pastor and evangelist named Ted T. Jones who was pastoring the San Jose Ephesus Church. Hutchinson and Jones met in Menlo Park and surveyed the land; both men were convinced that something could and should be done in that area.
An evangelistic meeting was held in a building at 771 Hamilton Ave. They signed a lease for three months but ended up continuing evangelism for six months. On the day that the Menlo Park Church was organized, thirty-three people became charter members. Elder Ted Jones pastored this church along with the San Jose Ephesus Church for two more years before moving to Bakersfield. Elder Earl A. Canson Sr. became the new pastor of the Menlo Park Church, eventually relocating the church to East Palo Alto. Thus, a new lighthouse was established in this needy area.
Literature Evangelist Joseph Hutchinson Pastor Ted T Jones Beach Street, East Palo Alto CA.
Seaside Community Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Charter member Sister Annie Battle Navarro recalled how she earnestly prayed for a church to be established in her community. She vividly remembered the day in September 1966 when two Adventist workers, Sister Louise Harraway and Sister Carrie Wise, visited her home seeking assistance in locating Adventist in the area as they desired to help organize a church. Sister Navarro shared that she contacted the conference office in San Jose to express her prayerful request for a church to be established in Seaside.
In response, Elder Earl Canson Sr., Pastor of the San Jose Ephesus and East Palo Alto Churches, along with Pastor Kenneth Smith, visited her home. A few weeks later Pastor Smith returned and began actively meeting individuals throughout the community. He soon established a bible-based teaching program on a local radio station through which his wife and young children regularly contributed musical selections. Through the radio ministry and personal outreach individuals were invited to Bible studies and a small yet dedicated group of believers began meeting weekly under the pastoral care of Pastor Smith.
Over the next two years this organized company met in various meeting halls and churches. Pastor Smith accepted a call outside of the conference and Pastor E. D. Rudley was brought in to serve as their pastor. A joyful milestone was reached on May 30, 1969, when the Seaside Company officially organized as the Seaside Community Seventh-day Adventist Church, becoming the 90th church in the Central California Conference.
As the congregation continued to grow the need for a permanent place of worship became evident. Pastor Rudley, guided by vision and faith, was led to a prime parcel of land located at the corner of Broadway and Yosemite. With the support of the Conference the congregation purchased the property and immediately began planning the design of their new church home.
Pastor & Mrs. Kenneth Smith. Pastor E. D. Rudley
Merced Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Merced Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church was established through prayer, faith, and a shared vision for a spiritual home in the Merced community. During the 1970s, several Black Adventist families traveled to surrounding cities for worship while praying for a church of their own in Merced.
Families such as the Brown, Bledsoe, Birks, and Harris families, along with others in the community, began meeting regularly for prayer. In response to these prayers, the group reached out to Elder C. J. Williams, pastor of the Fresno Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, for counsel and direction. Elder Williams invited Evangelist L. B. Baker to conduct an evangelistic series in Merced. The Merced Fairgrounds were secured, and a tent was erected where the gospel message was preached. Members from surrounding churches came to support the effort, demonstrating unity and shared purpose.
Pastoral leadership was provided by Pastor Clyde Nebblett and his wife, while Pastor John Anderson, Pastor Lopez, and Bible instructor Margrett Bolden led visitation efforts and Bible studies throughout the community. The evangelistic meetings were held four nights a week, beginning in August and concluding in October 1980. By the end of the series, several individuals were baptized and expressed a desire to become members of a newly established church.
As a result of this evangelistic effort, the Merced Seventh-day Adventist Church Company was officially organized on November 8, 1980, under the leadership of Pastor Clyde Nebblett.
Soon after its organization, the church began praying and planning for a permanent place of worship. Under the leadership of Pastor Steve Horton, a building committee was formed. In October 1981, the congregation made plans to purchase the former DMV building located on T. Street, which was scheduled to be sold at auction. On the day of the auction, only four bidders were present. One bidder asked the group what they intended to do with the building, and upon learning that it would be used as a church, he chose not to bid against them. When bidding began, one bidder offered one dollar above the asking price. The church representatives responded by bidding one dollar higher. The remaining person did not submit a bid, and the building was secured. The congregation recognized this moment as clear evidence of God’s leading and providence.
Pastor Clyde Nebblett
Modesto City Community Seventh-day Adventist Church:
On July 18, 1976, Pastor Isadore D. Evans Sr., then pastor of the San Jose Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church, conducted an evangelistic tent series at the corner of Maze and Franklin streets. Although only Sister Naomi Allen was baptized at the conclusion of the meetings, the outreach planted important seeds of faith within the community.
A subsequent tent evangelistic effort was held at the same location in the spring of 1982, led by Pastor Lawrence Hamilton. Pastor Hamilton pastored the San Jose Ephesus Church. Sister Etta Cheadle from Bakersfield served as the Bible worker during this series, which resulted in twenty-two baptisms on July 3, 1982. The newly formed group became a Branch Sabbath School of the Merced Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Company.
Pastor Steve Horton was later appointed by the Central California Conference to provide pastoral leadership for this growing congregation. Under his guidance, the group was organized on January 20, 1983, as the Modesto Westside Company. Pastors Jon Michael Harris, Pastor Earl Howard, and Pastor Reginald Miller subsequently contributed to the expansion of its membership and ministry. During this period, the congregation purchased land and made plans for continued growth.
On November 6, 2004, Modesto Westside Seventh-day Adventist Company was officially organized as the Modesto “Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church under the Leadership of Pastor Earl Canson Jr., with Associate Pastor David Hudgens.
In 2023, the church Officially renamed themselves the Modesto City Community Seventh-day Adventist Church after relocating to a new community and purchasing a church building, in collaboration with Modesto Spanish.
Pastor Isadore Evans Sr. Pastor Steve Horton 327 Kerr Ave. Modesto 95354
Rainbow Seventh-day Adventist Church
It started in the summer of 1980 when Pastor D. J. Williams had a vision of seeing a church started in the Bayview Hunter’s Point area. He shared that vision with Elder Lawrence Hamilton the coordinator of the African American Ministries. Elder Hamilton supported the idea heartily. Elder Harold West, the ministerial director for the Central California Conference, agreed to fund a major crusade in December 1984 with Evangelist Oscar Lane. As a result, 52 people were baptized and 62 re-baptized. In January 1985 a new company, the Rainbow Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship began with a charter membership of 74.
Elder D. J. Williams, the senior pastor of the San Francisco Philadelphian Seventhday Adventist Church now had the additional charge of a brand-new congregation. To help minister to Rainbow Fellowship was the able Bible worker Virgie Patterson-Newman. Brother Walter Turner served as the leader of the congregation while teaching at the San Francisco Jr. Academy. The first place of worship was the multipurpose room at the San Francisco Jr. Academy. After a few months, the congregation moved to Ridgeview Methodist Church on Leland Street.
Elder Bobby Mitchell was assigned to Rainbow Fellowship. Under his leadership, This new congregation was added to the sisterhood of churches in the Central California Conference in January 1989.
Pastor D. J. Williams Walter Turner Pastor Bobby Mitchell
House of Hope Multi-Ethnic Seventh-day Adventist Church:
In 1999, House of Hope was born from the vision of Pastor George Johnson, pastor of the Hanford Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church building located on the corner of 9th and Harris Street had served the Hanford community since 1900. When the Spanish Seventh-day Adventist congregation completed construction of a new facility just blocks away, the historic building became available.
Recognizing a unique opportunity for ministry, Pastor Johnson saw the potential to use this location to reach and serve the Black community in the area. Through his leadership and with the support of others, the group worked together to purchase the church building, establishing a foundation for evangelism and community outreach.
Key contributors during this formative period were Pastor Ray Patrick, who conducted evangelistic meetings at the site. He was followed by Dr. Evangelist Earnest Young, who led a series entitled “The New Lease on Life Community Meeting,” which concluded in September 1999.
As a result of these efforts, the new congregation was formally organized as an official company in the year 2000. Ongoing support was provided by Fresno Westside, Hanford Seventh-day Adventist Church, and several other churches in the surrounding area.
Following this period of organization, Kenny Fraser became pastor after completing his Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University. He and his wife relocated to the area with his family, they began serving the congregation with Godly passion. Pastor Fraser was ordained to the gospel ministry at the Central California Conference convocation in September 2003.
On November 14, 2004, the House of Hope Multi-Ethnic Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized by the Central California Conference. Pastor Fraser and his family faithfully served the congregation for ten years, from 1999 through September 30, 2009.
Churches and Church Plants in Central California
(With Beginning and End Dates)
1. Allensworth
Dates: 1910 – 1960
2. Chowchilla – Alamo Beacon Light Church
Dates: 1948 – 1958
Affiliation: Branch Sabbath School of FWSDA
Leader: R. S. Norman Sr.
3. San Jose – Grace Church
Dates: 1990 – 1993
Founder: Pastor Reynold Howell
Notes:
• Started without a vote or approval from Ephesus
• Functioned as a church plant during this period
4. Paso Robles
Dates: 1990 – 2003
Leader: James Ware
5. Temple of Praise – Fresno, California
Vision Began: 2000
Church Plant Status: Became a church plant in 2003
Ministry Period: 2003 – 2018
Location: Central Fresno
Visionaries: Pastor and Mrs. Lacey White
6. Three Angels SDA Church Plant – Fresno, California
Dates: 2008 – 2011
Visionaries / Church Planters:
• John E. Collins
• Harvey Williams
Elder: Eddie Standerfer