Our History
The first Seventh-day Adventist church in Reno was established in July 1878. In the early 1950’s the congregation moved from 6th street to a newly built campus on Arlington Avenue. Today, our campus resides on W. 4th Street, overlooking the Truckee River.
Part of a Family
There are so many interesting facts about the two western states, Nevada and Utah, that are part of our Pacific Union Conference—but our Adventist history is even more interesting!
This week in All God's People, learn about the impact of John Loughborough, D.T. Bourdeau, Charles M. Kinney, and others on Adventism in Nevada and Utah. The Nevada-Utah Conference was organized in 1931, with 315 members and 12 churches in Nevada. Today, there are 10,555 members, a total of 63 congregations, and eight schools in Nevada and Utah.
History of Adventism in Reno, Nevada
J.N. Loughborough
In 1878 J.N. Loughborough held Tent Meeting Evangelism in Reno Nevada with 400 in attendance. He was also part of the Nevada Association (1878).
One of the seven charter members of the Reno church, he was elected church clerk and secretary of the Nevada Tract and Missionary Society. We have no clues as to how Kinny had been educated up to this time, but it is surprising that a young man of twenty-three would immediately be thrust into such a responsible position. The choice proved a good one. Kinny was a meticulous record keeper and statistician. He was a clear writer and a zealous advocate of his newfound faith. He wrote quarterly reports for the Review, telling of the progress of the Nevada Tract and Missionary Society.
Kinny
So promising was Kinny’s work that local church members in Reno, together with the California Conference, sent him to Healdsburg College (now Pacific Union College) in California from 1883 to 1885 for further education. Mrs. White was living in Healdsburg at this time, and Kinny must often have heard her speak during his college years.
Ellen G. White in a group at Reno, Nevada, camp meeting 1888
Campmeeting held from May 24 to June 4, 1888. Seated LR: A. S. Hickox -- Ellen White -- Unknown -- N. C. McCLure -- Unknown -- J. N. Loughborough -- Unknown -- Unknown. Sarah McEnterfer stands behind EGW. All others unidentified.
