history

A prominent Alpharetta family by the name of Webb lived in the building on Church Street that served as the church and school. In 1899, the building was dedicated free from debt and still stands today.

The year 1889 was quite eventful with the official opening of the Eiffel Tower, the George Washington Bridge, and the first U.S. golf course. The Wall Street Journal began publishing, the dishwashing machine was marketed, and the first computer patented. Montana, Washington, North and South Dakota became states. But to the members of the Alpharetta Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1889 is known only as the year the first Adventist church in Alpharetta was organized.

A group of just seven people stepped out in faith in 2004 to establish an Adventist church in the Alpharetta area. They did not learn of the early church until later that year, but knew at once their presence was divine providence. Meeting in each other’s homes for awhile, they realized they could not grow without an official meeting place, so they rented a facility, and the first organized service took place June 11, 2005 with approximately 180 people in attendance. That day’s offerings exceeded rent for the entire month.

We don’t know why the first church and school disbanded— perhaps the Great Depression played a part. But we know Alpharetta and its surrounding towns still need our message of hope and love in this crucial time in history. As one of our favorite hymns proclaims:

“...We believe the time is here, when the nations far and near shall awake, and shout and sing Hallelujah! Christ is King! We have this hope that burns within our hearts, Hope in the coming of the Lord.”

Writings and Research

"The Lord wonderfully blessed our efforts. Hearts were stirred, and souls were made to tremble at his word at times in such a measure as I have not witnessed in any of my previous labors. The attendance and interest steadily increased... with an audience of between 400 and 500."   M.G. Huffman, July 1889

~ A man named M.G. Huffman frequently held meetings and wrote reports for the various SDA publications on the continuing soul winning efforts in Alpharetta. In November 1889 he organized the Alpharetta SDA church with a membership of 18.

~ Before the church was built, meetings were often held in tents, in the Alpharetta courthouse and at the Baptist church.

~ The Joseph Webb family lived in the building on Church Street that served both as the church and school. The structure still stands today and has recently been renovated into a special events facility. It is told that the Webbs constructed many buildings in Alpharetta.

~ Elder George W. Wells, president of the Georgia Conference in the early 1900s, lived in Alpharetta.

~ In a 1913 report on Adventist educational institutions, the Alpharetta Intermediate School was reported to have 40 students and 2 teachers for grades 1-8.

~ In 1889 there was an article published by the Atlanta Constitution on the trial at the Methodist church (M.E. Church South) for four members charged with heresy. They "endorsed the doctrines preached by the Seventh-day Adventists" and were expelled. Advent Review for 1889, No. 44, pg. 7

~ The early church members sometimes fell victim to the strenuous Georgia Sunday laws of their day. In August of 1889, Bro. Day Conklin was tried before the superior court of Forsyth County on the charge of violating the Sunday law by chopping wood and was heavily fined.

Read more online at adventistarchives.org