For several years prior to 1895 a group of pioneers living in the old settlement of Crow Wing began meeting regularly once a week for worship in the homes of members. This group was one of the first religious organizations in Crow Wing county, and was the parent body of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Brainerd. Meetings were later transferred to Brainerd where the majority of members had moved.

The church was officially organized on June 22, 1895, under the leadership of Pastor Hilliard. The members had then felt the need of a church home of their own in which to meet, so a year later, under Pastor Andrew Mead, they pledged generously toward the building of a church.

In 1898, the congregation began in earnest the erection of the main part of the church, located at 1009 South Seventh Street. Pastor Mead was a good carpenter and took charge of the building. In July of that year, the members moved into the partially completed structure, using boards laid across nail kegs as improvised pews. Dedication was held in 1901.

The church was lighted with oil lamps suspended from the ceiling; a pump organ provided the accompaniment to the hymns. Often when the mercury dropped below zero, the organist's fingers would be white with cold from Playing on the frosty keys. One report tells of a lay pastor who froze his toes while conducting the Sabbath school and church services. Choice seats during the winter months, of course, were those nearest the pot-bellied stove.

After the church people were adequately housed in their church building, they became aware of the need for a shelter for the teams of horses, as well as a front entrance to the church. Funds for these additions were made available unexpectedly on the death of Judge Holland, who in his will, had bequeathed $1,000 to each Protestant church in Brainerd.

The church's first parochial school class, with elementary education and religious instruction, was conducted in 1898, with a school room added to the church seven years later. The church school has been in continuous operation every year since its start, with the exception of only a few years.

As the congregation grew, additional space was made available by extending the back of the church with a 25 X 30 foot addition, which increased capacity by 130 percent. This construction which began in October, 1951, also included such improvements as blonde pews, a console Baldwin organ, carpeting, Sabbath school rooms for children, and complete re-decoration of the church.

About 10 years ago, members of the congregation again put forth their skills and resources to erect a two-classroom, two-teacher school on Woida Road in Baxter. This school building has provided adaquate�e space for as many as 20 students in one year, and has also served as a meeting place for church social events and other activities.

The Brainerd Dorcas Society (the women's branch of the Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Society) has been active over the years. The layettes, clothing and bedding which it distributes to families whose homes have burned and others who have faced misfortunes, have been gratefully received. The group also ships hundreds of pounds of clothing to the needy over-seas. The Dorcas women are now anxiously awaiting completion of a new building on East Oak Street which will provide facilities of their own from which to conduct their benevolent activities.

With the increase in membership resulting in more crowded conditions, the church members began discussing plans for a new church home about two years ago. The site for the new church, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ware Jordan in 1970, is located at East Oak Street. The new church is rapidly taking shape, with occupancy expected by June.

In the 76 years since the Seventh-day Adventist church was organized in Brainerd, there have been approximately 20 pastors who have served the church. Pastor Phillip Young is now in his sixth year of serving the local church.

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).