Pasay Seventh-day Adventist Church History
For over a century, Pasay Adventist Church has been a beacon of faith, resilience, and service, rooted in the early beginnings of Adventist education in the Philippines. Established in 1917 and officially organized in 1933, the church has grown through challenges—including wartime hardships—and continues to expand its ministry through education, community outreach, and digital evangelism. Today, it stands as a testament to God’s providence, unwavering in its mission to share the gospel and serve the community until He comes.
The history of Pasay Adventist Church can be traced back to the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist educational system in the Philippines. In 1914, Arthur G. Daniells, then General Conference president, visited the country to observe the progress of the work started by Lewis V. Finster in 1908. One of Elder Finster’s proposals was to establish an educational institution for Adventist youth.
Elder Daniells noticed that many of the early converts were young people. Impressed by their potential, he envisioned training them to become effective workers in spreading the gospel.
Shortly after his return to the United States, Elder Daniells presented the urgent need for a school in the Philippines to the General Conference Committee. The proposal was approved in 1916. Elder Finster, along with Elders L.A. Steinel and Oliver Fisk Sevrens, oversaw the construction of what would become the Seventh-day Adventist Academy. The school was built on a 2.5-hectare lot along Calle Luna, Pasay, Rizal, purchased for ₱13,000. This institution later evolved into Philippine Junior College, which was eventually relocated to Baesa, Caloocan City, and renamed Philippine Union College.
The Academy opened its doors to Adventist youth on June 12, 1917, with 36 students enrolled. These students, along with their teachers, formed the first group of worshippers in what was then known as Pasay English Church. Since there was no dedicated church building at the time, classrooms were used for Sabbath services.
On September 30, 1919, the church was formally organized under the leadership of Elder Finster. He guided the congregation through fundamental church doctrines before officially accepting new members. Among the Filipinos listed as charter members of the church were Rafael Cruz and Bibiano Panis.
Church records indicate that 136 baptisms took place during the first ten years. From 1927 to 1930, an additional 215 students were baptized and added to the church records.
The relocation of the college to Baesa, Caloocan led to a decline in church membership. However, membership soon rebounded following the transfer of Manila Sanitarium and Hospital from Malate, Manila, to its present location on Donada Street.
The Philippine Publishing House (PPH), located near the Academy, also influenced church membership, as many of its workers regularly attended worship services. This congregation was initially known as PPH English Church but later became Pasay English Church, a name that remained for identification purposes.
Eventually, the congregations from these three strong institutions—the Academy, the Sanitarium, and the Publishing House—merged, forming the foundation of what is now Pasay Adventist Church.
Church Expansion & World War II Impact
Just before World War II (1940-1941), construction of the church building began under the leadership of Elder Urquhart, then editor of the Philippine Publishing House. He was assisted by Elder Leland, another missionary. The original church structure was modest, covering only the area between the present center pillars and the vestibule. The pulpit was slightly elevated, with a small, L-shaped wing serving as additional seating.
During the 1960s, under the leadership of Pastor Gil de Guzman, expansions were made, including wings on both sides, a larger pulpit, and the addition of a lobby and mezzanine floor. These renovations were made possible with the help of Architect Leandro Alarantic.
In the 1980s, further developments were made to the church courtyard. The concrete walls were replaced with the present tall fence, the sloping driveway was leveled, and the grassy areas were cemented.
During the war, the church faced great challenges. Japanese troops attempted to seize the newly built edifice for their own use. However, church leaders such as Prof. L.L. Pan and Dr. Regalado Santos negotiated with the Japanese officers, securing permission to use the building for Sabbath services.
When the Japanese finally left, the church was in ruins—windows were shattered, seats and furniture were destroyed, and everything inside was in disarray.
Following liberation, many of the church members were American military officers from Clark Air Base, who took charge of Sabbath programs, including choir leadership. Minister Berger, an Army Chaplain, led the services. Church members welcomed them with home-cooked lunches, something they had missed since the war began.
Initially, members sat on the bare floor during services, but later, American servicemen donated funds to purchase bamboo benches, which became the first post-war pews of the church.
The first post-war pastor of the church was Elder Edwin Gibb. Among the notable missionaries who became members were Elder Llovens, the first Union President, and Elder G.I. Johnson, the first Union Treasurer, whose wife served as church choir director.
Establishment of Pasay Adventist Church School
In 1952, during Elder Gibb’s tenure, Pasay (Church) School was founded. The first classes were held in the silong (ground floor) of Dr. & Mrs. Anastacio Tamayo’s house on San Juan Street before moving to a shanty near the church. Eventually, it found a home in a wooden building, which was later replaced by the present concrete structure.
The school opened with a competent team of educators led by Ms. Rizalina Tiong, the first principal. Among the original teachers was Ms. Luisa Ferrer, who continued to serve in the Sabbath School’s children’s division even after retirement.
Financing was the primary challenge of the school. Dedicated church leaders such as Prof. Meliton Mindoro often sacrificed personal funds to pay teachers’ salaries. Though there were proposals to turn over the school’s management to the Union or Mission, this was only finalized later during the tenure of Elder Robbins as Union President.
Today, the elementary department remains under church administration as Pasay Adventist Church Elementary School, while the academy (now Pasay City Academy) is overseen by the Central Luzon Conference.
Modern Ministries & Infrastructures
The new millennium saw the rise of new ministries, including:
- Intercessory Prayer Ministry
- Deaf Ministry
- Adventist Ministry for Seafarers (AMIS)
- Senior Citizens Ministry
- Medical Ministry
Significant infrastructural developments also took place. In 2008, the Sapphire Hall and the three-story Jesus (Jo Ay Tian and Maria Ang Si Co) Multipurpose Building were inaugurated through the generosity of the Yovan and Co family.
Pasay Adventist Church remains deeply committed to community service, engaging in:
- Calamity assistance programs
- Medical missions for indigents
- Spiritual revival meetings and evangelistic efforts
Through the years, Pasay Adventist Church has stood as a pillar of faith, guided by divine blessings, steadfast leadership, and an unwavering commitment to fulfilling God’s mission.
Her story is a testament to faith, perseverance, and God’s providence—one that will continue UNTIL HE COMES.