Our Beginnings
In 1992, a small group of Seventh-day Adventists from various churches in the Maryland area met at the home of a young couple Ralph and Joy Peterson, who lived in Howard County, Maryland. This group of believers often found it difficult at times to drive several miles out of their way to their home churches. When the group grew to approximately 15 people, they decided to stay together and find a meeting venue in Columbia. Services were held weekly at The Meeting House located in the Oakland Mills Village Center.
As they continued to gather each week, they became excited about the possibility of forming a church within their own community. Those who attended the first meetings were Elder and Mrs. William C. Scales, Sr., Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Peterson, Sister Mildred Lewis, Elder and Mrs. Robert Patterson, and Mr. & Mrs. Greg Johnson. In a few months, the group expanded to include Elder Arnedia Brown, and sisters Marguerite Brown, Maxine Friend, Ernestine Scott, and Edith Tucker.
On Sunday, April 14, 1996, the group met at the home of Elder and Mrs. Scales to plan their first official Sabbath service, and elect of officers to serve the needs of this new congregation. On April 20, 1996, Columbia Community Seventh-day Adventist Church was established with 38 members.
The congregation needed to find a home, and after renting at a few places, they settled in at the Hawthorn Center, a place they called home for more than 15 years.
The vision was always to be a ministry center. It was the vision then and still remains today.
In 1997, the church changed its name to Columbia Community Center of Seventh-day Adventists.