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| image = Canadian Headquarters.jpg
| image = Canadian Headquarters.jpg
| imagewidth = 200px
| imagewidth = 200px
| caption =
| caption = SDACC Headquarters in [[Oshawa, Ontario]]
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation = [[Adventist]]
| orientation = [[Adventism|Adventist]]
| polity = [[Government of the Seventh-day Adventist Church|Modified presbyterian polity]]
| polity = [[Government of the Seventh-day Adventist Church|Modified presbyterian polity]]
| founder = [[Joseph Bates (Adventist)|Joseph Bates]], [[James Springer White|James White]], [[Ellen G. White]], [[John Nevins Andrews|J. N. Andrews]]
| leader_title = President
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Mark Johnson
| leader_name = Paul Llewellyn
| founded_date = May 21, 1863
| founded_place = [[Battle Creek, Michigan|Battle Creek]], [[Michigan]]
| separated_from =
| separated_from =
| parent = [[Millerites]]
| branched_from = [[Millerites]]
| merger =
| merger =
| separations =
| separations =
| associations =
| associations =
| area = Canada
| area = Canada
| hospitals =
| nursing_homes =
| nursing_homes =
| aid = [[Adventist Development and Relief Agency]]
| aid = [[Adventist Development and Relief Agency]]
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| primary_schools =
| primary_schools =
| secondary_schools =
| secondary_schools =
| tertiary =
| tertiary =Burman University
| worker training institutions=
| worker training institutions=
| hospitals =
| hospitals =
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| orphanages and children's homes =
| orphanages and children's homes =
| publishing houses =
| publishing houses =
| other_names = Adventist church, SDA (informal), SDACC
| other_names = Adventist church, SDA (informal), SDACC, Canadian Union
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}

{{see also|North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists}}

The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] in [[Canada]] (SDACC) is organized as a subentity of the [[North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists]] (SDA).

The Adventist presence in Canada dates back to the early and mid-1800s and the [[Adventism|Millerite movement]]. [[William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]], [[Joshua Himes]], and [[Josiah Litch]] all helped build the Millerlite cause on Canadian soil.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church became an organized Canadian entity in the late 1870s starting in Quebec. By the first decade of the 1900s, the church had its roots down all across the continent. Today, all of Canada and the French possessions of St. Pierre and Miquelon comprise the official territory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.

Its administrative units are the British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba-Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime Conferences and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador. The 2011 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook lists 356 churches and a membership of 61,468.<ref>[http://www.adventistyearbook.org/default.aspx?&page=ViewAdmField&Section=General&AdmFieldID=SCIC Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook] Retrieved July 14, 2011</ref>

Adventist enterprises include worship services in local congregations, annual regional "camp meetings", a world session every five years, the publishing of tracts and journals, lengthy evangelistic meetings, and the operation of schools, medical facilities, and humanitarian enterprises.

==Early History==
{{Seventh-day Adventism}}
{{Seventh-day Adventism}}
'''Millerites in Canada'''


The '''Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada''' ('''SDACC''') is a constituent entity of the [[North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists]] (SDA). Its territory consists of all [[Canada]] and the French possessions of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] (population of c. 38.8 million). As of 2022, the SDACC consisted of seven local conferences, 388 churches, and 74,191 members.<ref name=":0" />
The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] developed from the [[Adventism|Millerite movement]] of the 1830s and 1940s. [[William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]] traveled in response to invitations. This led him to the [[Eastern Townships]] of [[Quebec]]. Miller, [[Joshua Himes]], and [[Josiah Litch]] all visited Canada. Miller's sister lived in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.<ref>Fortin (1997)</ref> Josiah Litch lived in that district and led in Millerite activities there. Canada became an integral part of their activities. The interest in Miller's teachings was extensive in the Canadas and the Maritimes.<ref>{{harvnb|Monteith|Graham|1983|p=12}}</ref> Under the leadership of Josiah Litch, the first Millerite camp meeting took place in Canada, at Hadley, Quebec.


==History==
'''Sabbatarian Adventists'''
=== Early history ===
; Millerites in Canada


The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] developed from the [[Adventism|Millerite movement]] of the 1830s and 1840s. [[William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]] traveled in response to invitations. This led him to the [[Eastern Townships]] of [[Quebec]]. Miller, [[Joshua Himes]], and [[Josiah Litch]] all visited Canada. Miller's sister lived in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.<ref>Fortin (1997)</ref> Josiah Litch lived in that district and led in Millerite activities there. Canada became an integral part of their activities. The interest in Miller's teachings was extensive in the Canadas and the Maritimes.<ref>{{harvnb|Monteith|Graham|1983|p=12}}</ref> Under the leadership of Josiah Litch, the first Millerite [[camp meeting]] took place in Canada, at Hatley, Quebec.<ref>{{cite book
After the [[Great Disappointment|disappointment]] of [[October 22, 1844]], Millerites developed into several divergent groups. The [[Seventh-day Sabbatarianism|Sabbatarian]] group led by the Whites, Joseph Bates and others sought out the scattered Millerites and presented their Sabbath understanding to them. In the early 1850s [[Joseph Bates (Adventist)|Joseph Bates]] and [[Hiram Edson]] traveled along the northern shore of [[Lake Ontario]] trudging through knee-deep snow seeking out the Millerites. Thirty years later, the Adventist presence in Canada was still in its nascent stage. The first Seventh-day Adventist church in Canada was at [[Stukely-Sud, Quebec|South Stukely]]. It organized on September 30, 1877,<ref>{{harvnb|Willis|2000|p=18}}</ref> with 16 members.<ref>{{harvnb|Monteith|Graham|1983|p=29}}</ref> Fifteen years later and Adventists formally organized the Canadian Union Conference following which the Canadian church began to grow.
| last = Westfall
<!--
| first = William
| title = Two Worlds: The Protestant Culture of Nineteenth-Century Ontario
| publisher = McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
| series =
| volume =
| edition =
| year = 1989
| location = Montreal, Que.
| page = 167
| language =
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mEtnVyK0aZAC&q=%22The+first+Millerite+camp+meeting+held+in+North+America+was+held+in+Hatley%22&pg=PA167
| isbn = 0-7735-0669-1
}}</ref>


; Sabbatarian Adventists
1895, school begins in Fitch Bay. <ref>http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19130101-V13-01__B/index.djvu</ref>


After the [[Great Disappointment|disappointment]] of October 22, 1844, Millerites developed into several divergent groups. The [[Seventh-day Sabbatarianism|Sabbatarian]] group led by the Whites, Joseph Bates and others sought out the scattered Millerites and presented their Sabbath understanding to them. In the early 1850s [[Joseph Bates (Adventist)|Joseph Bates]] and [[Hiram Edson]] traveled along the northern shore of [[Lake Ontario]] trudging through knee-deep snow seeking out the Millerites. Thirty years later, the Adventist presence in Canada was still in its nascent stage. The first Seventh-day Adventist church in Canada was at [[Stukely-Sud, Quebec|South Stukely]], Quebec. It organized on September 30, 1877,<ref>{{harvnb|Willis|2000|p=18}}</ref> with 16 members.<ref>{{harvnb|Monteith|Graham|1983|p=29}}</ref>
-->


=== Organizational history ===
==1901-1907==


==== Canadian Union Conference ====
In the year 1901, the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] introduced new mid-level administrative units called "Union Conferences". These union conferences took over much of the oversight of the local conferences from the General Conference Committee. On the East coast of the United States, the Eastern Union Conference was created. The first session of this union conference took place between November 27 and December 5, 1901, at [[South Lancaster, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{Cite journal
In 1901, the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] created mid-level administrative units called union conferences that assumed oversight of the local conferences from the [[General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists|General Conference]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spectrummagazine.org/news/what-might-have-been-and-what-actually-was-1901-general-conference-session/ |title=What Might Have Been and What Actually Was at the 1901 General Conference Session|access-date=6 August 2024 |date=2 July 2015 |publisher=Spectrum }}</ref>
| last = Daniells
| first = A. G.
| title = Eastern Union Conference
| journal = Review and Herald
| volume = 78
| issue = 52
| pages = 11, 12
| publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association
| location = Battle Creek, Michigan
| date = December 24, 1901
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19011224-V78-52__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = July 10, 2011 }} Daniells mentions that the co-founder of the SDA Church, [[Ellen G. White]], was present at this gathering in Massachusetts. He also mentions that the name of the union conference was changed to the Atlantic Union Conference.</ref>


One result was the Eastern Union Conference consisting of local conferences in eastern United States and Canada. At its first meeting later that year, the delegates voted to create, effective 1 January 1902, a Canadian Union Conference consisting of only the provinces of [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], the [[The Maritimes|Maritimes]] and the territory of [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Daniells |first=A. G. |date=December 24, 1901 |title=Eastern Union Conference |url=http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19011224-V78-52__B.pdf#view=fit |journal=Review and Herald |location=Battle Creek, Michigan |publisher=Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association |volume=78 |issue=52 |pages=11, 12 |access-date=July 10, 2011}} Daniells mentions that the co-founder of the SDA Church, [[Ellen G. White]], was present at this gathering in Massachusetts. He also mentions that the name of the union conference was changed to the Atlantic Union Conference.</ref><ref name="union">{{Cite journal |last1=Daniells |first1=A. G. |last2=Ford |first2=I. A. |date=December 17, 1901 |title=Organization of the Canadian Union Conference |url=http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19011217-V78-51__B.pdf#view=fit |journal=Review and Herald |location=Battle Creek, Michigan |publisher=Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association |volume=78 |issue=51 |pages=12, 13 |access-date=July 10, 2011}}</ref> The new union conference continued to be known as the Canadian Union Conference until 1914 even after the Western Canadian Union Conference emerged in 1907.
During this end of year session, a number of meetings were held with members of the General Conference Committee along with representatives from Canada. The purpose of the meetings was to organize a Canadian Union Conference. By vote, all present were constituted a committee of the whole for the transaction of business. On motion of Professor Prescott, it was voted to proceed with the organization of a Canadian Union Conference. A constitution was established. Even though the new entity was called "The Canadian Union Conference", the territory included was only that of Eastern Canada, i.e. Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland. They agreed that their work would go into effect on January 1, 1902 if two thirds of the Canadian churches agreed.<ref name = "union">{{Cite journal
| last = Daniells
| first = A. G.
| last2 = Ford
| first2 = I. A.
| title = Organization of the Canadian Union Conference
| journal = Review and Herald
| volume = 78
| issue = 51
| pages = 12, 13
| publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association
| location = Battle Creek, Michigan
| date = December 17, 1901
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19011217-V78-51__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = July 10, 2011}}</ref>

Early Adventist work in the western part of Canada first came under Union organizations located in the United States.

Early in 1902, at the organizational meeting for the Pacific Union Conference, it was recommended that the believers in British Columbia be organized into their own separate conference within the Pacific Union.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Jones
| first = Alonzo T.
| title = The Pacific Union Conference
| journal = Review and Herald
| volume = 79
| issue = 13
| page = 10
| publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association
| location = Battle Creek, MI
| date = April 1, 1902
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19020401-V79-13__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-17}}</ref>

==1907-1932==

===Eastern Canadian Union Conference===

On New Year's Day, 1915, W. C. White, the son of Ellen G. White, visited at the Eastern Canada headquarters in Oshawa, Ontario. He stayed for several days. He spoke four times, three of which were at Buena Vista Academy (now Kingsway College). The students enjoyed his stories about his mother and her gift of prophecy.

During his visit, he gave counsel to the leaders regarding how to extend Adventism in Eastern Canada. He urged them to start church work in new places immediately because "the last days are closing in upon us." He said that ministers should be sent into new areas and that the lay people should take care of the existing churches. He also cited recent counsels from his mother calling on families to enter new areas as self-supporting missionaries.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Campbell
| first = M. N.
| title = Elder W. C. White's Visit
| journal = Eastern Canadian Messenger
| volume = 15
| issue = 2
| page = 4
| publisher = Eastern Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| location = Oshawa, ON
| date = January 12, 1915
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ECM/ECM19150112-V15-02__C.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-06}}</ref>


Meanwhile, Adventist entities in western Canada came under the jurisdiction of union conferences located in western [[United States]]. For example, in 1902, the Pacific Union Conference recommended that Adventist churches in [[British Columbia]] be organized into their own local conference within the Pacific Union.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Alonzo T. |date=April 1, 1902 |title=The Pacific Union Conference |url=http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19020401-V79-13__B.pdf#view=fit |journal=Review and Herald |location=Battle Creek, MI |publisher=Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association |volume=79 |issue=13 |page=10 |access-date=2011-12-17}}</ref>
===Western Canadian Union Conference===


==== Western Canadian Union Conference ====
In 1907, A. G. Daniells, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, visited the western Canadian provinces. His visit gave him a new interest in the cause of the church there and its potential for future development. He announced the need to organize these provinces into a "western Canadian Union Conference" so that Canadian Adventists could wholly manage and support the work in Canada. "This will give them courage, good cheer, and strength," he wrote. He further noted that, "for a time it will need assistance from the States, but now is the time to give it. Let us remember western Canada in our prayers and gifts."<ref>{{Cite journal
In 1907, president of the General Conference, [[A. G. Daniells]], visited the western Canadian provinces and urged Adventists there to establish a "western Canadian Union Conference."<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = McVagh
| last = McVagh
| first = C. F.
| first = C. F.
Line 147: Line 83:
| date = April 15, 1918
| date = April 15, 1918
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/doc_info.asp?DocID=1270
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/doc_info.asp?DocID=1270
| accessdate = 2011-12-18}}
| access-date = 2011-12-18}}
</ref> Later that year, it became a reality.
</ref>


===Canadian Union Conference===
==== Eastern Canadian Union Conference ====
In 1914, the church organization in eastern Canada finally became identified with its territorial limits as the Eastern Canadian Union Conference. At the beginning of the next year it hosted a visit by [[William C. White|W. C. White]], son of [[Ellen G. White|Ellen White]], who urged immediate expansion of church outreach within its regions.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Campbell
| first = M. N.
| title = Elder W. C. White's Visit
| journal = Eastern Canadian Messenger
| volume = 15
| issue = 2
| page = 4
| publisher = (Eastern) Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| location = Oshawa, ON
| date = January 12, 1915
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ECM/ECM19150112-V15-02__C.pdf#view=fit
| access-date = 2011-12-06}}</ref>


==== Canadian Union Conference / Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada ====
The [[Great Depression in Canada|Great Depression]] affected the church as well as the larger society. Several steps were taken to manage the church's finances during this time.<ref name = "Man-Sask">{{Cite journal
To address the impact of the [[Great Depression in Canada|Great Depression]] on the financial position of the church in [[Canada]],<ref name="Man-Sask">{{Cite journal
| last = Reiner
| last = Reiner
| first = D.E.
| first = D.E.
Line 164: Line 114:
| date = June 14, 1932
| date = June 14, 1932
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/WCT/WCT19320614-V22-24__C.pdf#view=fit
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/WCT/WCT19320614-V22-24__C.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-18}}</ref> The 1931 General Conference's annual council recommended that the two Canadian union conferences be merged into one for all of Canada and Newfoundland. Delegates representing these two organizations met on May 24, 1932 in Winnipeg. The president of the General Conference, C. H. Watson, and the president of the North American division, J. L. McEIhaney, were present. The delegates decided to merge the two unions.<ref>{{Cite journal
| access-date = 2011-12-18}}</ref> the General Conference Annual Council (1931) recommended that the two Canadian union conferences be merged to serve all of Canada and Newfoundland. In 1932, delegates representing east and west voted to establish one union conference.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Campbell
| last = Campbell
| first = M.N.
| first = M.N.
Line 176: Line 126:
| date = June 14, 1932
| date = June 14, 1932
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/WCT/WCT19320614-V22-24__C.pdf#view=fit
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/WCT/WCT19320614-V22-24__C.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-}}</ref> At this same session it was recommended that the Manitoba and Saskatchewan conferences be merged into one and that the Ontario and St. Lawrence conferences also be merged. Winnipeg became the location for this newly formed Canada-wide conference.<ref name = "Man-Sask"/>
| access-date = 18 December 2011}}</ref> They also recommended merging the [[Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan]] conferences and the Ontario and St. Lawrence conferences. Headquarters of the new union conference were in [[Winnipeg]].<ref name="Man-Sask" />


The unincorporated union conference and its corresponding legal association were combined in 1986 to form the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, a non-profit religious corporation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SDA Church in Canada |url=https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=14799 |access-date=29 August 2023 |website=Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook: 2023}}</ref>
==Sunday Closing Legislation==


== Social and political engagement ==
Early in January, 1906, the [[Freedom of Religion in Canada, Adventist History#The Lord's Day Alliance Actively Seeks to Enforce|Lord's Day Alliance (LDA)]] met with [[Wilfred Laurier|Canadian Prime Minister Laurier]] and his minister of Justice. They asked that a Sunday-observance bill be enacted during the next session of parliament. As the cabinet of the government discussed the issue, the LDA solicited petition signatures favoring the proposed bill.<ref name "Laurier">{{Cite journal
The SDACC has been engaged in social and political activities throughout its history.

=== Social engagement ===
Like Adventists everywhere and throughout their history, individuals and entities of the SDACC have been engaged in promoting healthful living and operating healthcare facilities. These efforts have included the former Branson Hospital (Toronto), facilities for seniors in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Since 1990, the SDACC, in association with about thirty faith communities, has been a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.<ref>[http://foodgrainsbank.ca/about-us/member-churches-agencies/ Foodgrains Bank, member church and agencies]</ref><ref>[http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19900301-V59-03__C.pdf#view=fit The Canadian Union Messenger, March 1990, p. 4]</ref>

=== Political engagement ===
In 1906, Adventists in Canada opposed the efforts of the [[Freedom of Religion in Canada, Adventist History#The Lord's Day Alliance Actively Seeks to Enforce|Lord's Day Alliance]] and others in promoting a Sunday-observance bill in parliament. In the process, Adventist leaders met with Prime Minister [[Wilfrid Laurier|Wilfred Laurier]] and his Minister of Justice.<ref name="Laurier">{{Cite journal
| last = Thurston
| last = Thurston
| first = W. H.
| first = W. H.
Line 192: Line 151:
| date = February 8, 1906
| date = February 8, 1906
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19060208-V83-06__B.pdf#view=fit
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19060208-V83-06__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-20}}</ref>
| access-date = 2011-12-20}}</ref>


In related areas of interest, Canadian Adventists, who were sometimes arrested for working on Sunday, supported the efforts of [[John G. Diefenbaker]] and others in advocating for a [[Canadian Bill of Rights]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Michael |first=Darren L. |date=21 January 1959 |title=Canadian Bill of Rights Brief |journal=Canadian Union Messenger |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=1}}</ref>
W. H. Thurston wrote to Laurier asking for a meeting. In his letter he explains that the proposed Sunday legislation attempts to legislate in God's domain rather than as civil matters. He quotes Matthew 22:21, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." On this basis the Seventh-day Adventist Church opposed the bill.<ref name "Laurier"/>

The interview with Laurier and his minister of Justice took place January 18, 1906. Thurston, along with H. E. Rickard, A. O. Burrill, and Eugene Leland appeared before Laurier and his minister of Justice in Ottawa. They explained their principles on the issue and gave a brief history of Adventism and its worldwide work. Each of the group presented statements addressing the proposed bill.

According to Thurston, "this meeting was reported to all the papers of the associated press, and the whole matter is before the public...." He continued, "We believe this effort will spread the knowledge of the truth and help to enlighten the people of Canada as nothing else would. Our own people are taking a more active part in the work than in the past, and we hope for a great awakening in this field from now on, and that the message may go with rapidity to all the people of Canada.<ref name "Laurier"/>

==The Role of Door to Door Book Sellers==

The distribution of Seventh-day Adventist publications helped build the denomination in Canada. Most often, the colporteur, or book-sellers, led the way. They have been noted for their persistence despite hardships.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Campbell
| first = R. G.
| title = Heroes for God in Canada
| journal = Australasian Record
| volume = 51
| issue = 29
| page = 3
| publisher = Signs Publishing Co.
| location = Warburton, Victoria, Australia
| date = July 21, 1047
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/AAR/AAR19470721-V51-29__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-09}}
</ref>

==Relation to other Christian churches==

===The United Church of Canada===
In the early decades of the 1900s, the [[United Church of Canada]] came into existence. The Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches of
Canada united with a common creed and system of government. The process began in 1904.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last = Smith
| first = L. A.
| title = Church union in Canada
| journal = Review and Herald
| volume = 83
| issue = 6
| page = 5
| publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association
| location = Washington, D.C.
| date = February 8, 1906
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19060208-V83-06__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-20}}
</ref> and reached completion in 1925.<ref name = "Signs">{{Cite journal
| last = Fraser
| first = A.M.
| title = Church union in Canada
| journal = Signs of the Time, world events in the light of prophecy
| volume = 40
| issue = 30
| page = 4
| publisher = Signs Publishing Company
| location = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| date = July 27, 1925
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/STAUS/STAUS19250727-V40-30__B.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = 2011-12-20}}
</ref> Adventists noted the new union's ambivalence regarding infant baptism. They agreed with the Baptist church's stand not to join the union because of the issue of baptism. To Adventists, the concept of church union was important but it was only to be entered into on the basis of agreed concepts of biblical truth.<ref name = "Signs"/>

==Relation to Labour Unions==

Carlyle B. Haynes led in the denominations war commission and after the war was given the task of managinng problems that arose regarding membership in labour unions.<ref>http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/AAR/AAR19540222-V58-08__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=16 As individual cases of difficulty arose in
various parts of the United States and
Canada, negotiations have been carried on
with hundreds of local unions, most of
which have agreed to our suggestions re-
garding withdrawal of our church mem-
bers from all membership in labour unions
on certain conditions. At the present time
one thousand five hundred local labour
unions in the United States and Canada
have entered into agreement with us.
What we have agreed to includes complete
separation from labour union membership.</ref> <!-- this citation needs to be standardized -->

==Canadian Bill of Rights==

In the late 1800s Seventh-day Adventists strongly advocated the separation of church and state. Their interest in freedom of religion arose out of legislation prohibiting labour on Sunday. In the early 1900s, several of their members were arrested for working on Sunday.

After the second world war, Canadian interest in human rights grew into a prominent political movement. John G. Diefenbaker advocated for a Canadian Bill of Rights. He had provided legal representation for Adventists organizations on the prairies. Adventists considered him a friend. Lawyer Darren L. Michaels led the Canadian SDA Church to add their voice to those advocating for the passage of a Canadian Bill of Rights.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19590121-V28-02__C/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=1 Michael, Darren L. Canadian Bill of Rights Brief. Canadian Union Messenger, January 21, 1959, Volume 28 Issue 2, p. 1]</ref> Michaels reported the issues involved to Adventist via their church paper, the Canadian Union Messenger.

==Membership Statistics==


==Membership statistics==
[[File:Membership by Decade.JPG|800px|Canadian Seventh-day Adventist Membership by Decades]]
[[File:Membership by Decade.JPG|800px|Canadian Seventh-day Adventist Membership by Decades]]
<!-- Canadian SDA Membership reported for:


==Leadership: presidents of the SDACC and its predecessors==
* 1901. 885
===Canadian Union Conference===
* 1911. 1951
* 1921. 5072
* 1931. 6631
* 1941. 9275
* 1951. 11675
* 1961. 14969
* 1971. 19307
* 1981. 31398
* 1991. 40047
* 2001. 49632
* 2011. 61468
-->

==The Presidents==


* W. H. Thurston, 1901–1909
<!-- This should go in a chart or columns. Try to find a format already in use
* William Guthrie, 1909–1912
* M. N. Campbell, 1912–1914


=== Western Canadian Union Conrference ===
*W. H. Thurston, 1901-1909
*E. L. Stewart, 1907-1909
*William Guthrie, 1909-1912
*M. N. Campbell, 1912-1917
*H. S. Shaw, 1910-1916
*C. F. McVagh, 1916-1919
Eastern Canadian Union
*A. V. Olsen, 1917-1920
*A. C. Gilbert, 1920-1924
*F. W. Stray, 1920-1924
*S. A. Ruskjer, 1925-1932
*Charles F. McVagh, 1924-1928
*W. C. Moffett, 1928-1932


Western Canadian Union
=== Eastern Canadian Union Conference ===


* M. N. Campbell, 1914-1917
-->
* A. V. Olson, 1917–1920
(after Eastern and Western Union Conferences were merged)
* F. W. Stray, 1920–1923
* Charles F. McVagh, 1923–1928
* W. C. Moffett, 1928–1932


===Seventh-day Adventist Church of Canada===
The Eastern and Western Canadian Union Conferences merged in 1932 to form the Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, an unincorporated religious association. In 1986, The union conference and its corresponding legal association were combined to form the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, a non-profit religious corporation.<ref name=":0" />
*M. N. Campbell, 1932–1936
*M. N. Campbell, 1932–1936
*W. B. Ochs, 1936–1943
*W. B. Ochs, 1936–1943
*H. L. Rudy, 1943–1950
*H. L. Rudy, 1943–1950
*W. A. Nelson, 1950–1962
*W. A. Nelson, 1950–1962
*James W. Bothe, 1962–1973
*J. William Bothe, 1962–1973
*L. L. Reile, 1973–1981
*L. L. Reile, 1973–1981
*James W. Wilson, 1981–1989
*James W. Wilson, 1981–1989
Line 318: Line 192:
*Orville Parchment, 1994–2001
*Orville Parchment, 1994–2001
*Daniel R. Jackson, 2002–2010
*Daniel R. Jackson, 2002–2010
*Mark A. Johnson, 2010-
*Mark A. Johnson, 2010–2022
*Paul Llewellyn, 2022–present


==Related national organizations==
==National Organizations==


Canadian Adventist Messenger
*Canadian Adventist Messenger
*[[Adventist Development and Relief Agency|Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)]]
*[[Burman University]]
*[[Kingsway College]]
*[[VOAR (AM)|VOAR - Voice of Adventist Radio]]
*[[Christian Record Services for the Blind]]
*[[It Is Written|It Is Written Canada]]
*[[Voice of Prophecy]]


==Local conferences==
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)


The SDACC includes seven subdivisions ("local conferences").<ref name=":0" />
Canadian University College


=== Alberta Conference ===
Kingsway College
The Alberta Conference, organized in 1906, with sixty-eight churches and 12,338 members serves a population of c. 4.5 million in the Province of [[Alberta]] and part of the [[Northwest Territories]]. Under the leadership of President Jeff Pots, the conference operates four schools ([[Chinook Winds Adventist Academy]], Coralwood Academy, Mamawi Atosketan Native School, and Prairie Adventist Christian eSchool) and Foothills Seventh-day Adventist Camp (used for camp meetings and youth camps).


=== British Columbia Conference ===
VOAR - Voice of Adventist Radio
The British Columbia Conference, organized in 1906, with eighty-one churches and 10,793 members serves a population of c. 5.4 million in the Province of [[British Columbia]], the [[Yukon|Yukon Territory]], and part of the [[Northwest Territories]]. Under the leadership of President <ref>Brad Thorp</ref> Brad Thorp, the conference operates six schools ([[Cariboo Adventist Academy]], Deer Lake Seventh-day Adventist School, [[Fraser Valley Adventist Academy]], [[Okanagan Christian School]], Peace Christian School, and West Coast Adventist Christian School), Camp Hope (used for camp meetings), and Mountain View Summer Camp (used for youth camps).


=== Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference ===
Christian Record Services
The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, organized in 1903, with thirty-five churches and 4,074 members serves a population of c. 2.6 million in the Provinces of [[Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan]] and the [[Nunavut|Nunavut Territory]]. Under the leadership of President Charles Ed Aguilar II, the conference operates Camp Whitesand (used for camp meetings and youth camps).


=== Maritime Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Inc. ===
It Is Written Canada
The Maritime Conference Conference, organized in 1902, with twenty-seven churches and 1,795 members serves a population of c. 2 million in the Provinces of [[New Brunswick]], [[Nova Scotia]], and [[Prince Edward Island]]. Under the leadership of President David Miller, the conference operates one school (Sandy Lake Academy) and Camp Pugwash (used for camp meetings and youth camps).


=== Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador ===
Voice of Prophecy
The SDA Church in Newfoundland and Labrador, organized in 1895, with eight churches and 503 members serves a population of c. 0.5 million in the Province of [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]. Under the leadership of President Ken Corkum, the conference operates a radio station ([[Lighthouse FM]] [<nowiki/>[[VOAR-FM]] 96.7]<ref>{{cite book |last=Webb |first=Jeffrey A. |url=https://archive.org/details/voiceofnewfoundl00webb |title=The voice of Newfoundland: a social history of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland, 1939-1949 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-8020-9820-7 |location=Toronto, Ontario |pages=[https://archive.org/details/voiceofnewfoundl00webb/page/20 20]–23 |quote=newfoundland, adventist, history. |url-access=registration}}</ref>) and Woody Acres Camp (used for camp meetings and youth camps).
<!--
1982, Feyerabend becomes new Associate Speaker for It Is Written <ref>{{Cite journal
| title = Feyerabend New Associate Speaker for It Is Written
| journal = Canadian Union Messenger
| volume = 51
| issue = 16
| page = 5
| publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, Maracle Press Ltd.
| location = Oshawa, Ontario
| date = September 16, 1982
| url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19820916-V51-16__C.pdf#view=fit
| accessdate = July 16, 2011}}</ref>


=== Ontario Conference ===
1995, Henry Feyerabend becomes speaker for It Is Written Canada.
The Ontario Conference, organized in 1899, with 133 churches and 35,517 members serves a population of c. 15 million in the Province of [[Ontario]]. Under the leadership of President Mansfield Edwards, the conference operates one school ([[Crawford Adventist Academy]]) and Camp Frenda (used for youth camps).
-->


=== Quebec Conference ===
==Local Conferences==
The Quebec Conference, organized in 1880, with forty-two churches and 9,171 members serves a population of c. 8.7 million in the Province of [[Quebec]] and the French possessions of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]]. Under the leadership of President Ngoy Kyala, the conference operates one media facility (Il Est Ecrit [<nowiki/>[[It Is Written]]]).

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada comprises seven smaller subdivisions of "local Conferences".

===Newfoundland===
The SDA Church built radio station VOAC in 1933 and changed its name to VOAR in 1938.
<ref>{{Cite book
| last = Webb
| first = Jeffrey A.
| title = The voice of Newfoundland: a social history of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland, 1939-1949
| publisher = University of Toronto Press
| year = 2008
| location = Toronto, Ontario
| pages = 20–23
| url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=vm4FWGCwjF8C&pg=PA23&dq=newfoundland,+adventist,+history&hl=en&ei=n3AbTo-5BdCr0AHM5NyWBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
| isbn = 978-0-8020-9820-7}}</ref>
<!-- Similar to the CBC and BBC, the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland was a public broadcaster that was at the centre of a cultural and political change from 1939 to 1949, during which Newfoundland faced wartime challenges and engaged in a constitutional debate about whether to become integrated into Canada. The Voice of Newfoundland studies these changes by taking a close look at the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland's radio programming and the responses of their listeners.Making excellent use of program recordings, scripts, and letters from listeners, as well as government and corporate archives, Jeff A. Webb examines several innovative programs that responded to the challenges of the Great Depression and Second World War. Webb explores the roles that radio played in society and culture during a vibrant and pivotal time in Newfoundland's history, and demonstrates how the broadcaster's decision to air political debates was pivotal in Newfoundlanders's decision to join Canada and to become part of North American consumer society.An engaging study rich in details of some of twentieth-century Newfoundland's most fascinating figures, The Voice of Newfoundland is a remarkable history of its politics and culture and an important analysis of the influence of the media and the participation of listeners. -->

===Maritimes===

The Maritime Conference organized in 1902.<ref name = "LandCan" />

===Quebec===

In 1880, the Quebec Conference organized.<ref name = "LandCan" >Land, p. 54</ref>

===Ontario===

In 1890, the Ontario Conference organized.<ref name = "LandCan" />
<!--

Branson Hospital

Heritage Green

Six Nations SDA Church, earlier the Iroquois church and the Kenyengeh church <ref>http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19050105-V05-01__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=3</ref>
IROQUOIS, KENYENGEH, AND LYNDEN. by B. B. Noftsger

Sister Belle Johnson has begun a church school at the Iroquois church, and is doing all she can to keep up the interest.
-->

===Manitoba-Saskatchewan===

The Manitoba Conference organized in 1903.<ref name = "LandCan"/>

The Saskatchewan Conference organized in 1912.<ref name = "LandCan"/>
<!--
Battleford Academy

The story of Mary Neufeld and women in ministry.

Mary graduated from Battleford Academy in 1925. She was in charge of the Conference's Sabbath School work and would preach in the churches.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=tJqDo447Sl8C&pg=PA79&dq=Saskatchewan+adventist+history&hl=en&ei=1wIdTsPnMYTb0QHajJX9Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Woman's Place Seventh Day Adventist Women in Church and Society
Rosa Taylor Banks
Review and Herald Pub Assoc, 1992 - Religion

Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan <ref>{{Cite web
| title = Facilities: Long Term Care
| work = Your Health
| publisher = Saskatoon Health Region
| date = 2002-2011
| url = http://www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca/your_health/facilities_long_term_care.htm
| accessdate = July 12, 2012}}</ref>

-->

===Alberta===

Adventists first came to Alberta in 1895. They were [[colporteur]]s Thomas Astleford and George W. Sowler. Sowler was the field agent for Manitoba and the Northwest, which included Alberta.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18970810-V74-32__B.pdf#view=fit Review and Herald, August 10, p. 14]</ref> Astleford and Sowler both sold "Bible Readings".<ref>[http://sdapillars.org/1888_bible_readings_for_the_home_circle.php Bible Readings for the Home Circle 1888]</ref> Astleford left [[Winnipeg]] and went to [[Edmonton]]. Sowler stopped off at [[Calgary]] and started work there. Sowler sold about two hundred copies of Bible Readings in Calgary. He also sold books to the ranchers from Calgary to [[Fort MacLeod]] from the [[Bow River]] to the foothills. He worked in Edmonton and [[Fort Saskatchewan]] and the mountain towns as far as [[Revelstoke, British Columbia|Revelstoke]]. Eastward, he worked along the main line of the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] to [[Port Arthur, Ontario|Port Arthur]].<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/WCT/WCT19181204-V08-23__C.pdf#view=fit Western Canadian Tidings. Pioneer Colporteurs in Western Canada. Vol. 8 Calgary, Alberta, December 4, 1918 No. 23 p. 5]</ref>

Thomas Astleford began in the Edmonton. He then sold books in the towns along the railroad to the south. His work led to the first converts in the province; Gustave Litke of Leduc and Dr. Menzel and his family, of [[Stony Plain, Alberta|Stony Plain]]. Litke shared his new faith with his German friends. In response to their request, H. J. Dirksen was sent from Manitoba. Dirksen led in the organizing of a church at [[Leduc, Alberta|Leduc]] on May 14, 1898, the first SDA church in the Northwest Territories.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19661019-V35-22__C.pdf#view=fit Sudds, D. R. Colporteurs Were First in Alberta. Canadian Union Messenger, October 19, 1966, p. 11]</ref>

Up until 1903, the work of the Adventist church in Alberta was administered as part of the Manitoba Mission. Beginning in 1901, the Adventist Church reorganized itself to include union conferences. The Northern Union Conference, established in 1902, managed the work of the Adventist church in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1907__B.pdf#view=fit Yearbook of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination, 1907, p. 47]</ref> In 1906, the Alberta Mission was organized into the Alberta Conference.<ref name = "LandCan"/> The newly organized Alberta Conference consisted of about 180 members.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ASR/ASR1906__B.pdf#view=fit Statistical Report of Seventh-day Adventist Conferences, Missions, and Institutions For the Year Ending December 31, 1906, p. 2]</ref> A year later, the Western Canadian Union Conference was formed. It comprised the conferences of British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Mission.<ref>[http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1908__B.pdf#view=fit Yearbook of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination, 1908, p. 88]</ref> (See the map) [[Image:1907 Map.JPG|thumb|]]
<!--
The Hobema Reserve.
To meet the needs of the
Hobema Reserve, the Alberta
Conference recently (1983) employed
Basil VanDieman, who, while
teaching public school, had
been ministering to a small
native church on the Six Nations
Reserve in Ontario, Canada.
But in this time of economic
challenge when most confer-
ences are forced to reduce their
working forces, denominational
salaries for full-time native
workers will be very limited.
<ref>Ministering to North America's natives: the last frontier by A. Leroy Moore. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19830630-V160-26__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=20</ref>
-->

===British Columbia===

The British Columbia conference organized in 1902.<ref name = "LandCan"/>
<!--
Cariboo Adventist Academy, Williams Lake

Okanagon Academy

Fraser Valley Academy

Fountain View Academy (independent)
-->
<!--

==The Church's Relationship to Government==

Society status as a denomination

Education
:Ontario and private schools other than Roman Catholic
:Newfoundland, parochial schools and constitutional change
:Status of private schools across Canada

Freedom of Religion
:Sunday Closing Legislation
:Sabbath Observance and Employment
:Labour Unions

Health Care
:Branson Hospital
:Lindsay treatment rooms and Sadie Baker
:Knowlton Hospital

Adventists and the Courts

==Canadian Adventist Messenger==

The official journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada is the Canadian Adventist Messenger. The first edition of the Messenger
-->


==Endnotes==
==Endnotes==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==

* [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
* [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
* [[North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists]]
* [[North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists]]
* [[It Is Written]]
* [[It Is Written]]
* [[Pacific Press Publishing Association]]


==References==
==References==
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;Books
;Books
*{{Cite book | last = Fortin | first = Denis | title = Adventism in Quebec: the dynamics of rural church growth, 1830-1910 | publisher = Andrews University Press | year = 2004 | location = Berrien Springs, Michigan | pages = 202 | url = http://www.andrews.edu/universitypress/catalog.php?key=177 | isbn = 978-1-883925-46-8}}
*{{Cite book | last = Fortin | first = Denis | title = Adventism in Quebec: the dynamics of rural church growth, 1830-1910 | publisher = Andrews University Press | year = 2004 | location = Berrien Springs, Michigan | pages = 202 | url = http://www.andrews.edu/universitypress/catalog.php?key=177 | isbn = 978-1-883925-46-8}}
*{{Cite book | last = Land | first = Gary | title = Historical dictionary of Seventh-Day Adventists | publisher = Scarecrow Press | year = 2005 | location = Lanham, Maryland | pages = 53, 54 | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=fFYFLksIywcC | isbn = 0-8108-5345-0 }}
*{{Cite book | last = Land | first = Gary | title = Historical dictionary of Seventh-Day Adventists | publisher = Scarecrow Press | year = 2005 | location = Lanham, Maryland | pages = 53, 54 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fFYFLksIywcC | isbn = 0-8108-5345-0 }}
*Little, J. I. (2004). [http://books.google.ca/books?id=TD-KAzjUITAC&pg=PA177&dq=j.+i.+little,+%22chapter+five%22&hl=en&ei=NdYMTr20KIOtsALizOXlBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=j.%20i.%20little%2C%20%22chapter%20five%22&f=false Millenial Invasion: Millerism in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada.] In R. Connors & A. C. Gow (Eds.), ''Anglo-American millennialism, from Milton to the Millerites'' (pp.&nbsp;177–204). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. ISSN: 0081-8607; ISBN 90-04-13821-8
*Little, J. I. (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=TD-KAzjUITAC&dq=j.+i.+little%2C+%22chapter+five%22&pg=PA177 Millennial Invasion: Millerism in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada.] In R. Connors & A. C. Gow (Eds.), ''Anglo-American millennialism, from Milton to the Millerites'' (pp.&nbsp;177–204). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. {{ISSN|0081-8607}}; {{ISBN|90-04-13821-8}}
*{{Cite book | last = Monteith | first = J. Ernest | last2 = Graham | first2 = Malcolm |title = The Lord is my Shepherd: The History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada | publisher = Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Parkland Colour Press | year = 1983 | location = College Heights, Alberta, Canada | pages = 266 | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=JWTkAAAAMAAJ|ref=harv}}
*{{Cite book | last1 = Monteith | first1 = J. Ernest | last2 = Graham | first2 = Malcolm |title = The Lord is my Shepherd: The History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada | publisher = Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Parkland Colour Press | year = 1983 | location = College Heights, Alberta, Canada | pages = 266 | isbn = 9781410434111 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JWTkAAAAMAAJ}}
*{{Cite web | title = National Defence and the Canadian Forces: Religions in Canada - Seventh-day Adventist Church | url = http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/pub/rc/rel/sdac-easj-eng.asp | accessdate = June 30, 2011}}
*{{Cite web | title = National Defence and the Canadian Forces: Religions in Canada - Seventh-day Adventist Church | url = http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/pub/rc/rel/sdac-easj-eng.asp | access-date = June 30, 2011}}
*{{Cite book | last = Wellcome | first = Isaac Cummings | title = History of the second advent message and mission, doctrine and people (Google eBook) | publisher = Advent Christian Publication Society | year = 1874 | location = Boston | pages = 707 | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=RqzVAAAAMAAJ}}
*{{Cite book | last = Wellcome | first = Isaac Cummings | title = History of the second advent message and mission, doctrine and people (Google eBook) | publisher = Advent Christian Publication Society | year = 1874 | location = Boston | pages = 707 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=RqzVAAAAMAAJ}}


;Journals
;Journals
Line 513: Line 254:
| first = Denis
| first = Denis
| title = "The world turned upside down" Millerism in the Eastern Townships, 1835-1845
| title = "The world turned upside down" Millerism in the Eastern Townships, 1835-1845
| journal = Article published in the Journal of Eastern Township Studies
| journal = Journal of Eastern Township Studies
| issue = 11
| issue = 11
| pages = 39–60
| pages = 39–60
| date = Fall 1997
| date = Fall 1997
| url = http://www.andrews.edu/~fortind/AdventismWorldUpsideDownJETS.htm
| url = http://www.andrews.edu/~fortind/AdventismWorldUpsideDownJETS.htm
| accessdate = 2011-12-01}}
| access-date = 2011-12-01}}
*{{Cite journal | editor-last = Willis
*{{Cite journal | editor-last = Willis
| editor-first =Carolyn
| editor-first =Carolyn
| title = News, SDA Church in Canada, Commemorative Package of Seventh-day Adventist Stamps Available to Members | journal = Canadian Adventist Messenger | volume = 69 | issue = 5,6 | publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada | location = Oshawa, Ontario | date = May–June 2000 |year=2000 | url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM20000601-V69-05,06__C.pdf#view=fit | issn = 0702-5084 | accessdate = June 28, 2011|ref=harv}}
| title = News, SDA Church in Canada, Commemorative Package of Seventh-day Adventist Stamps Available to Members | journal = Canadian Adventist Messenger | volume = 69 | issue = 5,6 | publisher = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada | location = Oshawa, Ontario | date = May–June 2000 | url = http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM20000601-V69-05,06__C.pdf#view=fit | issn = 0702-5084 | access-date = June 28, 2011}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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| year = 2005
| year = 2005
| pages = 191
| pages = 191
| url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=Wbr-CDPyWTUC
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wbr-CDPyWTUC
| isbn = 0-8163-2086-1 }}
| isbn = 0-8163-2086-1 }}
<!--


Henry Feyerabend, a native of Waldheim, Canada, pioneered a new broadcast, Destiny, in Toronto, which later merged with It Is Written. Feyerabend has conducted evangelistic crusades in many cities of Canada and the United States, as well as in Portugal, Russia, and Brazil, where he preached by uplink to more than 3,000 auditoriums simultaneously. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including commentaries on the books of Daniel, Revelation, and Galatians.

Adventist Book Center Online
http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/Detail.tpl?sku=0816320861

-->
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| last1 = Bayefsky
| last1 = Bayefsky
Line 555: Line 289:
| location = Leiden, The Netherlands
| location = Leiden, The Netherlands
| pages = 1116
| pages = 1116
| url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=dAE5Bmw2qrEC
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dAE5Bmw2qrEC
| isbn = 978-90-04-14980-9
| isbn = 978-90-04-14980-9
}}<!--
}}

This book is an essential tool for those interested in the vital relationship between international human rights law and domestic policy. It explores this subject in the context of public funding for religious education in Canada, an area of controversy for well over a hundred years. This work provides in one volume a unique set of source documents concerning the legal and political history of religious education in a multicultural environment and especially in Ontario, Canada's largest province. It makes available for the first time a complete set of documents concerning the international litigation which has occurred between the Canadian government and its citizens, who have been seriously affected by entrenched religious discrimination. An introductory essay provides an overview of how religious discrimination forms the backbone of Ontario's education system. Having failed to remedy such discrimination in Canadian courts, the UN Human Rights Committee provided a mechanism to address this breach of Canada's international legal obligations. The volume is an expose of the process and the consequences of international human rights litigation before the UN Committee, and will be of special interest to others seeking to take cases of human rights violations forward to the international level. Canadian policy makers and analyst will consider this collection an invaluable resource for future consideration of the public funding of religious education in Canada, still unresolved after 135 years.

-->
*The Unguarded Moment: A Surgeon's Discovery of the Barriers to Prescription of Inexpensive, Effective Healthcare in the Form of Therapeutic Exercise, Vert Mooney, Vantage Press, Inc, 2007 - Biography & Autobiography - 273 pages
*The Unguarded Moment: A Surgeon's Discovery of the Barriers to Prescription of Inexpensive, Effective Healthcare in the Form of Therapeutic Exercise, Vert Mooney, Vantage Press, Inc, 2007 - Biography & Autobiography - 273 pages
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
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| year = 2004
| year = 2004
| pages = 105
| pages = 105
| url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=MLiuOsWPBi4C
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MLiuOsWPBi4C
| isbn = 978-1-57258-280-4
| isbn = 978-1-57258-280-4
}}
}}
<!--

From the green hills of northern Canada, to the dry plains of the Israeli desert, Eva Sampson's life story shows the many ways where God performed miracles, and led her life as she strived to serve Him. As a young shepherdess in northern Canada, to a nurse in California, Eva devoted her life to helping others.How God Has Led is the story of this remarkable woman as she escapes from a hotel fire, the icy water of Alaska, and freezing blizzards. It tells the amazing circumstances as she worked her way through college, and the miraculous opportunities that God worked out for her."Step by step from a shepherd girl to taking care of sick people - people helping people." - Eva Sampson

-->


==External links==
==External links==

*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
| title = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
| url = http://www.adventist.ca/en/
| url = http://www.adventist.ca/en/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


Regional Conferences
Regional Conferences
Line 591: Line 315:
| title = British Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = British Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.bcadventist.com/
| url = http://www.bcadventist.com/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.albertasda.org//
| url = http://www.albertasda.org//
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.mansask.org/
| url = http://www.mansask.org/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.adventistontario.org/conference/
| url = http://www.adventistontario.org/conference/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.adventistontario.org/conference/
| url = http://www.adventistontario.org/conference/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Maritime Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| title = Maritime Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
| url = http://www.maritimesda.ca/
| url = http://www.maritimesda.ca/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


*{{Cite web
*{{Cite web
| title = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador
| title = Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador
| url = http://www.nlsdaconference.org/
| url = http://www.nlsdaconference.org/
| accessdate = July 27, 2011}}
| access-date = July 27, 2011}}


National Organizations
National Organizations
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| title = It Is Written Canada
| title = It Is Written Canada
| url = http://www.itiswrittencanada.ca/
| url = http://www.itiswrittencanada.ca/
| accessdate = July 16, 2011}}
| access-date = July 16, 2011}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Protestantism]]
[[Category:Protestantism in Canada]]
[[Category:Christianity in Canada]]
[[Category:Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
[[Category:North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists]]
[[Category:Adventism| ]]
[[Category:History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
[[Category:History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in the 1860s]]
[[Category:Protestant denominations established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1863]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1863]]
[[Category:1863 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Protestant denominations, unions, and movements established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Seventh-day denominations]]
[[Category:Adventism by country|Canada]]
[[Category:Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America]]

Latest revision as of 02:36, 9 October 2024

Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
SDACC Headquarters in Oshawa, Ontario
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationAdventist
PolityModified presbyterian polity
PresidentPaul Llewellyn
RegionCanada
Branched fromMillerites
Aid organizationAdventist Development and Relief Agency
Tertiary institutionsBurman University
Other name(s)Adventist church, SDA (informal), SDACC, Canadian Union
Part of a series on
Seventh-day
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Adventism

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC) is a constituent entity of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA). Its territory consists of all Canada and the French possessions of Saint Pierre and Miquelon (population of c. 38.8 million). As of 2022, the SDACC consisted of seven local conferences, 388 churches, and 74,191 members.[1]

History

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Early history

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Millerites in Canada

The Seventh-day Adventist Church developed from the Millerite movement of the 1830s and 1840s. William Miller traveled in response to invitations. This led him to the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Miller, Joshua Himes, and Josiah Litch all visited Canada. Miller's sister lived in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.[2] Josiah Litch lived in that district and led in Millerite activities there. Canada became an integral part of their activities. The interest in Miller's teachings was extensive in the Canadas and the Maritimes.[3] Under the leadership of Josiah Litch, the first Millerite camp meeting took place in Canada, at Hatley, Quebec.[4]

Sabbatarian Adventists

After the disappointment of October 22, 1844, Millerites developed into several divergent groups. The Sabbatarian group led by the Whites, Joseph Bates and others sought out the scattered Millerites and presented their Sabbath understanding to them. In the early 1850s Joseph Bates and Hiram Edson traveled along the northern shore of Lake Ontario trudging through knee-deep snow seeking out the Millerites. Thirty years later, the Adventist presence in Canada was still in its nascent stage. The first Seventh-day Adventist church in Canada was at South Stukely, Quebec. It organized on September 30, 1877,[5] with 16 members.[6]

Organizational history

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Canadian Union Conference

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In 1901, the Seventh-day Adventist Church created mid-level administrative units called union conferences that assumed oversight of the local conferences from the General Conference.[7]

One result was the Eastern Union Conference consisting of local conferences in eastern United States and Canada. At its first meeting later that year, the delegates voted to create, effective 1 January 1902, a Canadian Union Conference consisting of only the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and the territory of Newfoundland.[8][9] The new union conference continued to be known as the Canadian Union Conference until 1914 even after the Western Canadian Union Conference emerged in 1907.

Meanwhile, Adventist entities in western Canada came under the jurisdiction of union conferences located in western United States. For example, in 1902, the Pacific Union Conference recommended that Adventist churches in British Columbia be organized into their own local conference within the Pacific Union.[10]

Western Canadian Union Conference

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In 1907, president of the General Conference, A. G. Daniells, visited the western Canadian provinces and urged Adventists there to establish a "western Canadian Union Conference."[11] Later that year, it became a reality.

Eastern Canadian Union Conference

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In 1914, the church organization in eastern Canada finally became identified with its territorial limits as the Eastern Canadian Union Conference. At the beginning of the next year it hosted a visit by W. C. White, son of Ellen White, who urged immediate expansion of church outreach within its regions.[12]

Canadian Union Conference / Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada

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To address the impact of the Great Depression on the financial position of the church in Canada,[13] the General Conference Annual Council (1931) recommended that the two Canadian union conferences be merged to serve all of Canada and Newfoundland. In 1932, delegates representing east and west voted to establish one union conference.[14] They also recommended merging the Manitoba and Saskatchewan conferences and the Ontario and St. Lawrence conferences. Headquarters of the new union conference were in Winnipeg.[13]

The unincorporated union conference and its corresponding legal association were combined in 1986 to form the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, a non-profit religious corporation.[1]

Social and political engagement

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The SDACC has been engaged in social and political activities throughout its history.

Social engagement

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Like Adventists everywhere and throughout their history, individuals and entities of the SDACC have been engaged in promoting healthful living and operating healthcare facilities. These efforts have included the former Branson Hospital (Toronto), facilities for seniors in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Since 1990, the SDACC, in association with about thirty faith communities, has been a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.[15][16]

Political engagement

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In 1906, Adventists in Canada opposed the efforts of the Lord's Day Alliance and others in promoting a Sunday-observance bill in parliament. In the process, Adventist leaders met with Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier and his Minister of Justice.[17]

In related areas of interest, Canadian Adventists, who were sometimes arrested for working on Sunday, supported the efforts of John G. Diefenbaker and others in advocating for a Canadian Bill of Rights.[18]

Membership statistics

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Canadian Seventh-day Adventist Membership by Decades

Leadership: presidents of the SDACC and its predecessors

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Canadian Union Conference

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  • W. H. Thurston, 1901–1909
  • William Guthrie, 1909–1912
  • M. N. Campbell, 1912–1914

Western Canadian Union Conrference

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  • E. L. Stewart, 1907-1909
  • H. S. Shaw, 1910-1916
  • C. F. McVagh, 1916-1919
  • A. C. Gilbert, 1920-1924
  • S. A. Ruskjer, 1925-1932

Eastern Canadian Union Conference

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  • M. N. Campbell, 1914-1917
  • A. V. Olson, 1917–1920
  • F. W. Stray, 1920–1923
  • Charles F. McVagh, 1923–1928
  • W. C. Moffett, 1928–1932

Seventh-day Adventist Church of Canada

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The Eastern and Western Canadian Union Conferences merged in 1932 to form the Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, an unincorporated religious association. In 1986, The union conference and its corresponding legal association were combined to form the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, a non-profit religious corporation.[1]

  • M. N. Campbell, 1932–1936
  • W. B. Ochs, 1936–1943
  • H. L. Rudy, 1943–1950
  • W. A. Nelson, 1950–1962
  • J. William Bothe, 1962–1973
  • L. L. Reile, 1973–1981
  • James W. Wilson, 1981–1989
  • Douglas D. Devnich, 1989–1993
  • Orville Parchment, 1994–2001
  • Daniel R. Jackson, 2002–2010
  • Mark A. Johnson, 2010–2022
  • Paul Llewellyn, 2022–present
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Local conferences

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The SDACC includes seven subdivisions ("local conferences").[1]

Alberta Conference

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The Alberta Conference, organized in 1906, with sixty-eight churches and 12,338 members serves a population of c. 4.5 million in the Province of Alberta and part of the Northwest Territories. Under the leadership of President Jeff Pots, the conference operates four schools (Chinook Winds Adventist Academy, Coralwood Academy, Mamawi Atosketan Native School, and Prairie Adventist Christian eSchool) and Foothills Seventh-day Adventist Camp (used for camp meetings and youth camps).

British Columbia Conference

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The British Columbia Conference, organized in 1906, with eighty-one churches and 10,793 members serves a population of c. 5.4 million in the Province of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, and part of the Northwest Territories. Under the leadership of President [19] Brad Thorp, the conference operates six schools (Cariboo Adventist Academy, Deer Lake Seventh-day Adventist School, Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, Okanagan Christian School, Peace Christian School, and West Coast Adventist Christian School), Camp Hope (used for camp meetings), and Mountain View Summer Camp (used for youth camps).

Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference

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The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, organized in 1903, with thirty-five churches and 4,074 members serves a population of c. 2.6 million in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the Nunavut Territory. Under the leadership of President Charles Ed Aguilar II, the conference operates Camp Whitesand (used for camp meetings and youth camps).

Maritime Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Inc.

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The Maritime Conference Conference, organized in 1902, with twenty-seven churches and 1,795 members serves a population of c. 2 million in the Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Under the leadership of President David Miller, the conference operates one school (Sandy Lake Academy) and Camp Pugwash (used for camp meetings and youth camps).

Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newfoundland and Labrador

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The SDA Church in Newfoundland and Labrador, organized in 1895, with eight churches and 503 members serves a population of c. 0.5 million in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Under the leadership of President Ken Corkum, the conference operates a radio station (Lighthouse FM [VOAR-FM 96.7][20]) and Woody Acres Camp (used for camp meetings and youth camps).

Ontario Conference

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The Ontario Conference, organized in 1899, with 133 churches and 35,517 members serves a population of c. 15 million in the Province of Ontario. Under the leadership of President Mansfield Edwards, the conference operates one school (Crawford Adventist Academy) and Camp Frenda (used for youth camps).

Quebec Conference

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The Quebec Conference, organized in 1880, with forty-two churches and 9,171 members serves a population of c. 8.7 million in the Province of Quebec and the French possessions of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Under the leadership of President Ngoy Kyala, the conference operates one media facility (Il Est Ecrit [It Is Written]).

Endnotes

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  1. ^ a b c d "SDA Church in Canada". Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook: 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  2. ^ Fortin (1997)
  3. ^ Monteith & Graham 1983, p. 12
  4. ^ Westfall, William (1989). Two Worlds: The Protestant Culture of Nineteenth-Century Ontario. Montreal, Que.: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. p. 167. ISBN 0-7735-0669-1.
  5. ^ Willis 2000, p. 18
  6. ^ Monteith & Graham 1983, p. 29
  7. ^ "What Might Have Been and What Actually Was at the 1901 General Conference Session". Spectrum. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  8. ^ Daniells, A. G. (December 24, 1901). "Eastern Union Conference" (PDF). Review and Herald. 78 (52). Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 11, 12. Retrieved July 10, 2011. Daniells mentions that the co-founder of the SDA Church, Ellen G. White, was present at this gathering in Massachusetts. He also mentions that the name of the union conference was changed to the Atlantic Union Conference.
  9. ^ Daniells, A. G.; Ford, I. A. (December 17, 1901). "Organization of the Canadian Union Conference" (PDF). Review and Herald. 78 (51). Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 12, 13. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  10. ^ Jones, Alonzo T. (April 1, 1902). "The Pacific Union Conference" (PDF). Review and Herald. 79 (13). Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 10. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
  11. ^ McVagh, C. F. (April 15, 1918). "Western Canadian Union Conference". General Conference Bulletin, Thirty-Ninth Session. 8 (12). Mountain View, CA: The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 18, 19. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
  12. ^ Campbell, M. N. (January 12, 1915). "Elder W. C. White's Visit" (PDF). Eastern Canadian Messenger. 15 (2). Oshawa, ON: (Eastern) Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 4. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
  13. ^ a b Reiner, D.E. (June 14, 1932). "Manitoba & W. Ontario Conference, Uniting of Conferences" (PDF). Western Canadian Tidings. 22 (24). College Heights, AB: The Canadian Junior College Press for the Western Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 5–7. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
  14. ^ Campbell, M.N. (June 14, 1932). "Canada United!" (PDF). Western Canadian Tidings. 22 (24). College Heights, AB: The Canadian Junior College Press for the Western Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 1, 2. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  15. ^ Foodgrains Bank, member church and agencies
  16. ^ The Canadian Union Messenger, March 1990, p. 4
  17. ^ Thurston, W. H. (February 8, 1906). "Meeting the Premier and Minister of Justice of Canada" (PDF). Review and Herald. 83 (6). Washington, D.C.: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 20,21. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  18. ^ Michael, Darren L. (21 January 1959). "Canadian Bill of Rights Brief". Canadian Union Messenger. 28 (2): 1.
  19. ^ Brad Thorp
  20. ^ Webb, Jeffrey A. (2008). The voice of Newfoundland: a social history of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland, 1939-1949. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto Press. pp. 20–23. ISBN 978-0-8020-9820-7. newfoundland, adventist, history.

See also

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References

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Books
Journals

Further reading

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Regional Conferences

National Organizations

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