One hundred years is a remarkable milestone—whether it marks the health and vitality of a centenarian or the enduring legacy of institutions rooted in tradition and growth. For the Vallejo Drive church, its century-long journey reflects both—a vibrant testament to faith and community and its unique legacy of promoting both spiritual and physical well-being.
Organized in 1924 as the Glendale Sanitarium church, the congregation began with 80 members. Steady growth quickly followed—just four years later, a 600-seat sanctuary was built thanks to generous support from the Glendale Sanitarium, faithful members, and the Southern California Conference (SCC).
As the years went on and the church continued to grow, a larger facility once again became necessary. In 1967, the congregation celebrated the dedication of a new church facility—debt-free after the 10-year, $1 million effort.
The church, known as Vallejo Drive church since 1964, has continued to thrive. Marking the official 100-year anniversary on July 23, 2024, the church hosted a large celebration this November, as former members and church leaders, community members, and more gathered to celebrate.
Elizabeth Talbot of Jesus 101, who recalls starting her ministry at Vallejo Drive church, shared a poignant message on Friday evening to kick off the festivities. Focusing on Psalm 23, Talbot pinpointed the significance of David—a man who made many mistakes—as the author of this Psalm. “He was definitely not a man who had a perfect heart,” Talbot noted. “Why would God call him a man after His own heart? Well, I became convinced that it was because David needed so much the grace of God that he came to know more about God’s heart. He became a Ph.D. in grace.” She ended with an application of Psalm 23, encouraging listeners to make it personal. “There’s enough grace,” Talbot shared, “for every stage in our journeys.”
Sabbath morning began with an insightful panel-style Sabbath School, where former pastors of the church discussed the lesson. As the divine worship hour commenced, the service was filled with vibrant music, from the orchestra to the choir.
Former pastors in attendance were involved in various capacities throughout the event. “You know it’s a big Sabbath celebration when you have Lonnie Melashenko (associate pastor, 1970-1972) giving the children’s story,” current Senior Pastor Jonathan Henderson joked. “And I want you to know, he requested it!” James Kyle, interim senior pastor from 2018-2022, joined the praise team on the platform singing “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” and Smuts van Rooyen, who served the church as the senior pastor from 1999-2009, shared a video greeting.
Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N.C. Wilson recognized the occasion with a video greeting, appreciating Vallejo Drive’s mission and encouraging viewers to continue in faithfulness. Leaders from the conference office also joined to celebrate the anniversary. “Reaching this significant milestone is a testament to God’s enduring grace and the dedication of members and leaders who have carried forward the mission of the church over the past century,” said SCC President John H. Cress of the centennial anniversary, reading from a letter to commemorate the occasion on behalf of the conference officers.
Henderson delivered the sermon with a focus on the story of Zacchaeus. “Zach for some reason knew that Jesus was safe enough for him to open his heart and home to,” Henderson said, pointing out how Zacchaeus gladly welcomed an unplanned visit from Jesus into his home. Henderson encouraged listeners to be a safe space to those around them, emphasized that Jesus is safe for us today, and committed to the church being a safe space.
The celebration concluded on Saturday evening around sunset with a moving concert by Jacqueline Jewel & Co. Jewel spoke about her roots in Glendale, from her parents getting married at Vallejo Drive to attending Glendale Adventist Elementary in her youth. She recalled thinking when she was invited to the celebration, “You know what, that would be so special to come back home. And it got me thinking, you always have to remember where you came from, where you are, and where you’re going, right?” Certainly this trajectory was evident throughout the weekend.
As the concert was winding down, Linda Biswas, associate pastor from 2019-2021, charged attendees to move forward energized for the next 100 years. “This is a church, friends,” Biswas said, “not the building, not the organ, not the incredible bathrooms that are coming, but you—you, friends, are a reminder of what happened over the last 100 years when 80 faithful people moved with this building to this location because God had something important that He needed to be done.”
“There was a work here that God knew this generation would do, so I have a question for you, church family,” she said. “What is it that God would have us here at Vallejo Drive do in this new century?”
