This year, Adventists are marking 125 years of ministry in Bellingham, Wash., with the completion of a new church facility on the sister ministry campus of Baker View Christian School.
When volunteer hours were recognized during the grand opening of the new church facility, the four-year individual total of volunteer hours ranged from 40 to 320 hours. Local volunteers were twice supported by Maranatha Volunteers International to complete the 16,000-square-foot facility.
“We all had a part to do with building this sanctuary,” says Gerald Langley, Bellingham Church elder. “We built this building to bear fruit, and, like Gal. 6:9 says, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.”
In addition to the grand opening on Sept. 22, 2018, the Bellingham congregation also welcomed their new pastoral couple, Ron and Marion Shultz, from Illinois. The congregation anticipates continuing their heritage of serving well as they minister to their local community and pray toward reopening the school soon.
Bellingham Timeline
1893 — Mission work began in Bellingham
1894 — Elder J.E. Fuller arrived, 18 charter members established, and various meeting places rented
1920 — Land purchased at 910 N. Forest Street
1921 — School first opened
1923 — Church facility opened and dedicated
1948 — New school facility finished
2014 — Church facility sold to join the school campus
2018 — New church facility completed