About DWM SDA Church
In the year 1946 Nathan M. Wright formed a branch Sabbath School on Conservancy Road in German Township, Ohio. Nathan was Elder of the Second Seventh-day Adventist Church (now Ethan Temple) in Dayton, Ohio. The small group of believers met in homes but in good weather all services were held in the open air under a large spreading beech tree in the front yard of William H. Dale.
The little group would sometimes study and discuss the Bible for the entire day stopping only for lunch. Their diligent study later was to play a great part in naming the church, which was organized July 3, 1948. Elder John H. Wagner Sr. and Elder Frank L. Bland, President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively of the Allegheny Conference in Pottstown, Pennsylvania chartered it. The church was named Berea Chapel “the church at study”.
The first house of worship with 24 acres of land was purchased a short time later. Avis I. Wiggins and Lucy A.I. Coley had discovered an abandoned tavern on Conservancy Road during one of their many nature walks. The bar was cleared and used for the pulpit and the booths sawed off and converted into the first church pews. This property was purchased in 1949.
Dale Wright was the first elected elder to the newly formed church which was later to bear his name as a memorial to his faithful service and unselfish giving of his talents of art and music.
The following is a list of the charter members of the church when organized:
Nathan M. Wright |
Dale M. Wright |
Eva Dale Moxley |
Eleanor Crews Wright |
Willa Dale Wright |
Henri Pitts Wright |
M.E. Eileen Wright |
Harold J. Wright |
William H. Dale |
Paul L. Wright |
Bertha L. Bailey |
Audrey H. Wright |
Mildred Hicks Dale |
Bessie Pitts Wright |
Euliss W. Bailey |
Walter L. Wright |
In 1959, construction of the present church building was commenced under the direction of Elder Harold J. Wright and Pastor Jacob Justiss. The membership was inspired to complete this work by the capable and untiring efforts of L.W. “Luke” Jenkins. His contribution cannot be measured but this congregation will never forget him nor should we ever cease to thank God for sending him. Because of him “the people had a mind to work”.
We have always been a working church seeking God’s direction first and then attempting the impossible through faith.
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
About Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.