The Chicago Central Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church commemorated a significant milestone this October, celebrating 90 years of its mission to preach the gospel to the Hispanic community in Chicago.
This year’s celebrations highlight nearly a century of dedication and spiritual service, beginning with the formation of the first Hispanic Adventist group in the Lake Union in 1934.
Pastor Juan Daniel Villegas, who has been serving the congregation for just over a year, expressed his heartfelt gratitude during the Sabbath. Oct. 19, 2024 observance. “It was deeply moving to see brothers and sisters who, due to health reasons and advanced age, have not been able to attend church regularly. Some of them hadn’t seen each other in over 10 years.” He noted this underscored the profound connections within the community.
A memorable moment of the day included an interview with a couple who have been integral to the church since 1955, serving faithfully for more than 60 years. Additionally, another couple sang a special hymn they had performed in the church six decades ago, emphasizing the legacy left by previous generations to the new members now joining the congregation.
Pastor Villegas shared his encouragement from witnessing such unity and history within the church, stating, “It is indeed worth serving God in our local churches.” The congregation continues to feel blessed and grateful for its longstanding commitment to the service of the community in Chicago.
In addition, members of the Central Hispanic church’s latest church plant, known as Second Generation church, also attended and expressed their appreciation for the church’s support in planting this English-speaking multicultural church.
A big part of the church's history is linked to Battle Creek, Michigan. This city was a center for Adventist health beliefs, thanks to people like Dr. John Harvey Kellogg who became famous for promoting health through natural therapies. His brother, Will Kellogg, started the Kellogg cereal company there.
In Chicago, which is part of the Illinois Conference, Hispanic Adventism began to take root. The first Spanish-speaking Adventist church started in the 1930s, led by Pastor J. F. Games from the Dominican Republic. Even during tough times like the Great Depression, Pastor Games and a small group of people worked hard to gather Spanish-speaking Adventists into a community.
They first met in rented halls and focused on sharing their beliefs, which helped their group grow quickly. This growth led to new churches in different parts of Chicago where many Spanish-speaking people lived.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Central Spanish Church became an important center, helping create new churches like the South, North, and West Spanish Churches. The people in these churches faced many challenges, like prejudice and vandalism, but they stuck together. They started programs like a school and even a radio show to strengthen their community.
As more Hispanic people moved to Chicago, the Adventist community created programs to help them, such as English classes and college prep courses at the Chicagoland Better Living Center. They also supported churches in places like the Dominican Republic through a plan called "Operation Amigo."
By the end of the 20th century, the Hispanic Adventist community in Chicago had grown a lot, with 14 churches and over 1,700 members. Many of these church members were influenced by students and graduates from Andrews University.
Leaders, like Elder Otoniel Reyes, continued to help the community grow. His role as the Hispanic Coordinator starting in 1999 was important in keeping the churches connected and strong.
Overall, the history of Hispanic Adventists in the Lake Union Conference shows how a small group of determined people can create a large, supportive community. They overcame many obstacles to become a key part of the Adventist Church in the Midwest.
Juan Daniel Villegas, pastor of the Chicago Central Church, with Herald staff
