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Norman Seventh-day Adventist Church |
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Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. More >>
The history of the Norman Seventh-day Adventist Church started one Sunday afternoon in March 1943, over ten years ago. On that day Gertrude Martin came to the home of Bonnie Craig and discussed that they were the only known Seventh-day Adventists in Norman, Oklahoma. Martin had been attending church in Oklahoma City, but suggested that they start their own Sabbath School here in Norman. The next Sabbath Gertrude Martin met with Bonnie Craig in the Craig home for their first Sabbath School. Those present were Martin and her daughter, Bonnie Craig and her two grandsons, Roy and George Bell.
It was not long until the Home Missionary Secretary of the Oklahoma Conference came and organized them into an official Sabbath School. Bonnie Craig was the Sabbath School Superintendent and Treasurer and George Bell was the Secretary. Martin was the Young People’s Leader. These faithful ones never missed a Sabbath School together.
As the navy base began to grow, several navy men whose families were Seventh-day Adventist moved to Norman. These families began meeting with our faithful little group and it began to grow. Thus, early in 1945 there were many more attending services than could possibly meet in the Craig home. So the American Legion Hut was rented for services.
Roger Brewer from Oklahoma City worked tirelessly to see the Norman group grow. It was on Sept.22, 1945 that Brewer and Elder Kenny organized the Norman Sabbath School into the Norman Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The charter members of the Norman church –
It was at the annual camp meeting in 1946 that the Norman church organization was voted into the sisterhood of churches.
The Norman church members have met in many and varied places through the years. Services have been held in the homes of Bonnie Craig, Sarah Nash, and the Inglis’ home, also in the American Legion Hut, the Lutheran church, and the Goodrich Memorial Church, the old Presbyterian Church, the New Presbyterian Church and on Feb.1, 1954 the members moved into the side room of this new Seventh-day Adventist Church.
It was in 1947 that Faye Porter, now of Oklahoma City was living in Norman. She was interested in the youth and started a very active Youth Program which grew to nearly 40 members. However after some time the use of the Legion Hut was denied them and with broken hearts the meetings ended. Soon after this disappointment, the members decided the only thing to do was to build a church of their own. Of course, there were problems as to how they could raise the money to build a church. But this courageous little group decided there had to be a start and the project began. Collections were taken every Sabbath for the church building fund. The ladies began their famous food, rummage and bazaar sales. They have been able to raise more than $100 at many of these sales, and at one the total was well over $200.
In Feb. of 1951 the church plans were laid. Many lots were considered but every one prayed that the Lord would lead and direct in making the right decision as to the place to build.
On Oct.21, 1951 we were able to purchase the present property. These lots were obtained for $2375. Later the east lot was sold for $1000. Thus the cost of the present land was $1375.
On April 23, 1953 the members of the Norman Church met with Elder H.C. Klement, President of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh day Adventists, Elder Perry the district pastor, and Mr. Ray East the builder. They decided upon and chose the plans for the construction of the building as it now stands. Mr. Ray East supervised and built the church with donated labor in less than one year.
As the church was being completed in February of 1954, Mr. Don Aalborg moved to Norman to pastor this church. Since that time the church furniture has been purchased and the interior decorating has been completed. This present building which we are dedicating today is the answer to untold hours of work and prayers.
As of one week ago today, our church stands completed and ready to be dedicated free of debt, the estimated value of the church being $15,000. The Lord has richly blessed the Seventh-day Adventist members in Norman and today our hearts are turned to Him in thanksgiving. ************************************************************************************************************ From the 1990's to the present Our church on Peters Street was sold in 1990 and we rented until Harold Haley located our present property. It was purchased from Wells Fargo Bank in the summer of 1993 for a total of $37,934.78. Under the leadership of Pastor Clarence Southard and Pastor Bill Norman, the first phase of the church, which included a fellowship hall, bathrooms and classrooms, was completed in the summer of 1994. Open house and consecration was held on November 5, 1994. The second phase, our sanctuary, was completed in the spring of 1998. It has been a long time since 1943, when two women had a dream that Norman needed a Sabbath School.
Updated: Mar 15, 2010
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