Seventh Day Adventist Church, Siloah

Just over 90 years ago, in 1934, an idea was birthed in the minds of several stalwarts from the SDA Church in Jointwood. This led them on a journey across the Cockpit terrain to the lush Nassau Valley, where the district of Siloah is nestled. E.R.E. Anderson, Alexander Allen, and T. Walcott were among those who laboured tirelessly through visitations and diligent Bible studies to introduce members of the community to the Sabbath truth.

Heeding the Great Commission to preach, teach, and baptize, an evangelistic series was conducted by Brother Laing in January 1942. As the gospel proclamation was carried over “vales and hills,” fifteen persons responded to the call through baptism. On April 12 of that same year, the Siloah SDA Church was organized with a membership of thirty-one persons. Through the kind donation of a community member named Mr. Vassel, the church received land on which to construct a permanent building. (E. E. Parchment, “Progress on the Work at Siloah,” The Jamaica Visitor, July 1942, p. 2.)

Cottage meetings and Bible studies were the major evangelistic tools used to enlighten communities in the early days. Through such efforts, the Windsor Sabbath School was organized in 1959 under the leadership of Pastor Harold Bennett. (A. C. Stockhausen, “British West Indies,” The Inter-American Messenger, January 1959, p. 9.)

Having been given such a solid foundation, those who came in later years were inspired to carry on the church’s mission of honoring God, edifying the saints, and evangelizing the world. As we reflect on our heritage and on the sacrifices made by men and women who had only their feet or bicycles for transportation and relied on lanterns or moonlight, yet were never deterred by weather or terrain, we raise our thanksgiving like Samuel, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”