In 1856 the entire population of Pitcairn Island was relocated to Norfolk Island.
Pitcairn had become too small for the almost 200 inhabitants, and Queen Victoria gave the former penal colony of Norfolk Island to the Pitcairn Islanders. After a few months some of the Pitcairners returned to their former home, but most stayed on Norfolk. In 1891 the Seventh-day Adventist mission schooner “The Pitcairn”, after a successful visit to Pitcairn Island, travelled to Norfolk Island, which they reached on 30 September. Work was started amongst the inhabitants, and by 1895 there was sufficient interest and enough members to officially organize a local Seventh-day Adventist church. This was formally done on 22 May 1895.
120 years later the congregation is still going strong, is occupying the third church building since its inception, and has just celebrated its 120th anniversary. Sabbath, 23rd May 2015 was the special celebration day. We assembled an orchestra of two pianos, an organ, two guitars, a violin and a number of ukuleles, and their music was heavenly. It was easy to sing praises to God and the special musical items were great! Our special guest speaker for the day was Pastor David Blanch, former President of the Greater Sydney Conference, who spoke about “The Presence of God”. Two church members, Alan Summerscales, representing the younger members born on the island, and Ralph Weslake, 91 years old and Head Elder for many decades, spoke about their experiences. Ray Sills, the pastor at the time that the present church building was constructed in the seventies, spoke about the building of the hall and church, and the move from the old church.
In the congregation were the Administrator of Norfolk Island and his wife, the ministers and spouses of the other churches on the island, members of the Legislative Assembly and many other guests. The feedback was uniformly positive. After the service we all had a wonderful lunch together in the hall, like only the Norfolk Islanders can do. The tables groaned under the abundance!
After lunch, a number of us gathered at the old church, which was the second building the congregation worshipped in. It was first built in 1919 and is still watertight and in good shape. It was bought in 1975 by a church member, John Anderson, and he gave a guided tour and some historic details, while church members who were around in 1975 reminisced about the old days. The day was a spiritual and physical feast, and a red letter day in the life of the Norfolk Island SDA Church! All glory to God for His leading and care!
Contributed by Dion Fourie, Pastor of Norfolk Island Seventh-day Adventist Church
