The Adventist Church is Incorporated (May 21, 1863)

Section Four of the “Church Heritage Manual” commences with this statement: The Seventh-day Adventist Church did not come out of the 1844 movement with a structure and corporate identity. The scattered believers took nearly twenty years to develop the components that would finally bring about the need for a structured approach to fulfilling its mission. In 1853, identity cards were issues to every minister of what would be soon termed the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a type of “certificate of doctrinal purity.” Also in 1853, tent meetings under the direction of Elders J.N. Loughborough, and M.E. Cornell were conducted, and Sabbath Schools made their first appearance. This was a novel idea at the time. Also in the 1850’s James White decided that publications would be sold, as opposed to simply being given away. In 1855 James and Ellen White moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, which would become the epicenter of Adventism for the next 48 years. A high level of disenchantment by many church members (such as George Storrs) to the idea of any formal organization of the newborn denomination was a result of some bad treatment by the churches that they had formerly belonged to. These “organizations” were not comfortable with the Advent message. But the need for some type of basic organization was undeniable. A structure started to develop. The systematic collection of funds, based upon scriptural precepts, was inaugurated. In 1860 the designation “Seventh-day Adventist” was made official. In 1861 the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was officially formed. An effort to nail down specifics in a “General Conference” was initiated in Michigan, the state that included the newly established denominational headquarters at Battle Creek. This meeting ran from May 20-23, 1863. John Byington was elected as the first president, and a constitution of nine articles was adopted. The new enterprise boasted 3,555 members, 120 churches, and 22 ministers.