ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Jaro Seventh-day Adventist Church, under the West Visayan Conference, held the inauguration of its historical marker on October 25, 2025, at Fajardo Street, Jaro, Iloilo City.
The event commemorated the organization of the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Central Philippines (Visayas and Mindanao), which officially took place on April 13, 1915.
Elder Elbridge Martin Adams, an American missionary sent by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, organized this church. He and his wife first arrived in Iloilo City in 1914 and conducted Bible studies, home visitations, and camp meetings, resulting in many converts.
The organization of this group served as the nucleus of Adventism in the Central Philippines, following the baptism of 12 new Filipino converts in Iloilo City in March 1915.
As inscribed in the historical marker, the 15 charter members included the three original missionaries and 12 newly baptized members: Elder Elbridge Adams and his wife, Sophia Adams, Fausto Jornada, Adriana Jornada, Arsenia Jornada, Guadalupe Jornada, Rafael Bela, Remegio Habana, Tomas Habana, Julian Gumapas, Baldomera Tan, Wenceslao Rodrigues, Aquilino Same, Erenio Cahilig, and Zoilo Cahilig.
Fausto Jornada is historically recognized as the official Ilonggo translator for the Adams family and the first Filipino Adventist convert outside the Philippines.
During the ceremony, the descendants of the pioneering families of the Jaro SDA Church attended the program together with the WVC officers and members.
In a message, Pastor Eldyn Toledo, Ellen G. White Research Center director and Spirit of Prophecy coordinator for the Central Philippine Union Conference, remarked, “Today, we celebrate the unveiling of the historical landmark of the Jaro Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iloilo, marking 110 years of faith and mission.”
He shared how the church began with 12 local believers and three missionaries, six of whom were close associates of Pastor Fausto Jornada.
“From these humble beginnings, Jaro SDA Church became the mother church of all Seventh-day Adventist congregations in Central and Southern Philippines,” he continued.
He also added that the Jaro SDA Elementary School stands as the mother church school in central and south Philippines, continuing a legacy of faith, education, and service that has inspired generations.
“We have nothing to fear about the future, except for the possibility that we may forget how the Lord has led us and the lessons He has taught us in our past history,” he said, urging the listeners to reflect on how the Lord has continually guided His people.
In another message, Pastor Sandy R. Tacapan, Jaro SDA church pastor, expressed deep appreciation for the pioneers’ unwavering commitment to God’s calling. “Just be faithful and keep the truth,” he said, “share it with the unbelievers and live as a beacon of light to the non-Adventist family members.”
The marker serves as a permanent record of the establishment of Adventism in the central and southern Philippines, recognizing the contributions of these early members to the eventual organization of the Panayan Mission (later West Visayan Mission) in 1914, which became the mother of all conferences and missions in the Central Philippines.
By Geric Von De la Cruz /Head Writer /West Visayan Conference
The original version of the article was published on the official Facebook page of the West Visayan Conference.