The First Seventh Day Adventist Church of Washington, DC was constantly adding new members to its congregation. First Church always encouraged the members to become involved in missionary activities, and to follow the instruction given by God in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. . . .” The members were also reminded of the counsel given in the inspired writing by Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 3, that states, “There is much work to be done in new fields . . . The work of warning souls should not be confined to ministers alone, but brethren who have the truth in their hearts, all should feel that a responsibility rests upon them to devote a part of their time to going out among their neighbors . . . to share the word of God.”
A group of the newest First church members took heed to the words of inspiration. Sister Edwina D Williams, the Bible Worker, led this young eager group into the Northeast Washington area. It was early in 1973 the group started knocking on doors and passing out literature, seeking individuals that would be interested in Bible Studies. The response was rewarding. The Palmer family opened their home and invited the group and their neighbors in for Bible Studies. The interest grew stronger, and more attended the studies. The house became too full so the group rented a small church, the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Sherriff Road, NE, Washington, DC. Some of the students were baptized as they learned about our Savior Jesus Christ and His desire to save all sinners. After the seeds of the gospel were well saturated in the Northeast area, during the months of July and August 1974, Elder A.R. Jones, Pastor of First Church, and district leader, along with this team conducted an evangelistic meeting. The Lord gave a good harvest. In September 1974, the group became a Company. Elder Jones then returned to the mother church of the district, First Church, leaving Elder James L. Jackson, then First Elder at First Church, to be the shepherd of the little Company. Membership: 69.
As the Company continued worshiping in the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, the members were taught to give Bible studies in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Company’s membership continued to increase from the earnest effort of the believers, thus making the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church inadequat4e in size for the congregation.
The members looked for larger dwelling quarters, and were able to use the Deanwood Baptist Church, which was just a few steps away, and still in the Northeast Washington area. Programs were started to raise funds toward purchasing or building our own church. A search committee was sent out to look for a suitable location.
Because of the rapid growth in membership, the conference saw the need to organize our Company into a church. This took place on January 25, 1975. The new light in Northeast Washington, DC is now burning brightly as the command is given to the new baby, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” The name given to the new babe was The Northeast Seventh Day Adventist Church”.
The Northeast Church received its first Allegheny East pastor on January 25, 1976, in the person of Pastor William E. Hall. He served until December 31, 1988. During this period, plans were made to purchase our own church building. Membership: 111.
On January 6, 1979, Pastor Victor O. Wallen came to us and served until July 31, 1982. On February 9, 1979, we moved into our own church home located in Bladensburg, Maryland.
Pastor William A. Thompson came to minister to us from August 7, 1982 until June 23, 1990. It was during this period of time that the Northeast Seventh Day Adventist Church was renamed the Bladensburg Seventh Day Adventist Church. The church building was renovated and given a new interior look. A sign with the church name was placed outside. Membership: 147.
On June 30, 1991, Pastor Ronald L. Edmonds was introduced to us. At the time, the attendance for the Sabbath worship service was pushing the seams of the building to a bulging overflow each week. There was discussion of having two divine worship services on Sabbath. Membership: 212.
On May 8, 1993, Pastor Marcellus T. Robinson became our Pastor. The Lord continued to bless this church greatly. He initiated stewardship, spiritual gifts, and leadership training seminars for church leaders/officers and other interested members. We then had four choirs and three musical groups. Sabbath services were being televised on monitors in two overflow areas of the church and prayer meeting attendance generally filled the sanctuary on Wednesday night. Other highlights of Pastor Robinson’s term were:
The number of children attending SDA church school doubled, and the pastor baptizes new members every month.
A building and search team was organized and sent out to find a suitable location for a new church building.
The Community Services Department expanded to include giving lunches twice a month to temporary residents at a homeless shelter in Hyattsville. They also gave food and gifts to needy families during Thanksgiving and Christmas; an AIDS ministry was organized to minister to the needs of AIDS patient at the Hyattsville Nursing Home. Membership: 300
In 1997 the building and search team located a plot of land suitable for a church building. The team presented its findings to the church body and plans were made to purchase the property. The property was located in Mitchellville, Maryland.
Monthly baptisms continued to take place under Pastor Robinson’s leadership.
The Love Feast Program was initiated to help newly baptized and transferred members feel welcome, comfortable, and accepted in the church. It gave the entire church body and opportunity to extend love to our new members as they began their membership in their new church home. Welcome Wagon Families were established to work along with the Love Feast Program the Welcome Wagon Families extended dinner invitations to the new members letting them know they were welcome and loved.
Personal Ministries conducted monthly street visits in the surrounding community praying with the residents, and distributing literature and gifts.
Every Sabbath morning at 8:00 a.m., and at 5:30a.m. On Sundays, the newly constructed band of Prayer Warriors meets at the church singing, sharing testimonies, studying the Bible, sharing family concerns, having prayer sessions and intercessory prayers. Membership: 450.
On November 6, 1999, Pastor Curtis B. Crider and family came to minister at the Bladensburg SDA Church. We welcomed them into our arms and hearts warmly. He brought with him, love, joy, enthusiasm, as well as vim and vigor, and great spiritual leadership skills. Under his leadership, monthly baptisms and weekly Bible Studies continued, and Wednesday night Prayer Meeting attendance increased.
As the church continued to grow, activities for the membership increased. Mother’s Day Weekend was established and was truly a blessing to all of the mothers. The AYS Department featured a Mother/Daughter Talent Show featuring the special talents of mothers and daughters of all ages. There was singing, reading of poetry, and skits making it difficult for the judges to select a winner. In the end, Sr. Audrey Crider and her daughter Ashley won the prize for their musical duet. The following day, the Hospitality Department sponsored our first Mother/Daughter Brunch. The men of the church served as cooks and servers while they treated the Mothers with royalty. The food was delicious and plentiful. The event concluded with a special candle lighting ceremony in honor of all mothers. The event will forever be etched in our hearts and minds.
July is the month for Vacation Bible School at the “Blades”. Children from far and near come to enjoy a full week of stories about Jesus, activities, arts and crafts and games. The theme for the year 2000 was, “Running the Race with Jesus.” Snack time is always enjoyable due to the culinary expertise of Sr. Doris Harris and her kitchen staff. Cookies and punch are a thing of the past at the Blades VBS. Each night VBS Staff and students enjoy a full meal complete with a special dessert. Thursday nights at the Blades VBS is carnival night. After the general session, the students and staff meet outside in the parking lot area for snow cones, face painting, food and fellowship. VBS always closed on Sabbath evening with a program featuring all the classes of VBS show casing via skits and presentations of what they had learned that week. Bladensburg prides itself with having the best VBS for miles around.
On July 30, 2000 the Hospitality and Sabbath School Departments hosted the Bladensburg Church Picnic. The church was a flurry of activity as we prepared for this event. Church members flooded the park bringing with them food, games, and excitement. Sodas, water, and juice arrived by the tubs while three grills housed big franks and much more. The activities included volleyball, Uno, Scrabble, face painting, a potato sack race, and a pound cake bake-off.
Nothing, however, was as enjoyable as the three-legged race, and the Seniors' egg-on-a-spoon relay where the mothers of the church, Sr. Mary Holt, and Sr. Ophelia Humphrey participated.
A special surprise came in the form of the “Black Cowboys”, a group of African-American cowboys and cowgirls on horses who visited with us and allowed the children and even some adults to pose for pictures on the horse’s backs. The weather was sunny for most of the day, but toward the end a visit by the rain canceled our long-awaited softball game. A good time was had by all who attended, and we look forward to doing it all over again in 2001.
The summer of 2000 was quite a busy time for the members of Bladensburg. The project for the summer was the “Land Drive”. This project challenged each member, young and old to give an offering the amounts of which were set for the different age groups of the church by the Treasury Department based on the price of the land. From the oldest member to the youngest child, we all had a goal to reach. We worked hard that summer to raise funds for our land. A song was written by members of the music committee which became a hit and encouraged us all to continue our sacrificial giving.
The reality of the new church came on August 12, 2000 when the church gathered at the actual spot for the Land Dedication Service.
There was much excitement as the saints gathered at the site of our future church home. Hymns were sung as our member arrived, and the energy and excitement was easily felts and seen on the faces of all who attended.
Elder James Jackson gave opening remarks followed by Elder Helen Smith who offered prayer for the land. Pastor Curtis Crider gave closing remarks and instructions as the tour of our land began. What a glorious time we had, and how we look forward to worshipping in our new church home.
The land drive was a huge success and ended on September 9, 2000 with a victory celebration concert. More than $50,000 was raised as a result of the efforts of the Bladensburg Church members. God is so good!
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Prepared by Julia O. Jackson, Historian
On January 3, 2004, we received Pastor Brenda Billingy as our new Pastor. This was truly a new experience for the Bladensburg Church family. While some embraced this new experience, others found it difficult, but vowed to give it a try. We found Pastor B, as she is affectionately called, to be a woman of God, who is led by God, who waited for instruction from God, and acted upon the instruction of God. Highlights of Pastor B’s ministry to Bladensburg include:
Financial Peace University
International Day — October 20, 2007
Individual families prayed for each Sabbath
Individual birthdays and anniversaries recognized on a weekly basis
On April 19, 2008, Pastor Noah Washington and family arrived and spent their first Sabbath with us. He brought with him excitement for the work of the Lord and energy to spread the love of Jesus Christ that was second to none.
Under his leadership, we experienced our first “vision casting” Sabbath, at which time he introduced the core values of our church which include: Excellence, Prayer, People, SDA Message, Our Community, Discipleship, Corporate Worship, Relationships, Leadership, and Evangelism.
4105 54th St Bladensburg, MD 20710-1428 | 301-277-5911 | pastor@bladensburgsda.org
Bladensburg Church History