About us

Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church (Dallas First SDA) boasts a rich history that dates back to 1876 when it was first established on Gano Street in Dallas with a congregation of 18 members. The church began its mission with the founding of Dallas Junior Academy and the construction of a small two-room school next door, serving twelve children.

As the congregation grew, the church moved to a new location on Live Oak Street, where it stayed for some time before establishing itself at its current location on North Central Expressway in 1950. This new location spanned five lots, and shortly after the move, a new building for the church school was erected. Tomasia Leatherwood, the resident historian of Dallas First SDA, recalls being baptized at the church in 1953 when she was just ten years old.

Over the decades, the church witnessed the expansion of the city around it, growing from a population of 866,000 in 1950 to over 7.6 million in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by 2022. Despite the changes and increasing gentrification of the area, Dallas First SDA chose to remain in its central location, making the most of the ministry opportunities provided by its position in the heart of the city.

One of the pastors from the recent history of Dallas First SDA, André Gonçalves, highlighted the importance of the church’s location: “It is impressive that a church has stayed in the same place for 70 years, especially in an urban area. Many would have sold and moved to the suburbs, where it is more comfortable and economically viable, but we did not want to leave. We would lose the immense ministry opportunity we have here.”

Dallas First SDA has utilized its central location to serve the community in various ways. In addition to its primary ministry, Dallas Christian Academy, the church has supported numerous community projects and established enduring ministries such as God’s Closet, God’s Table, a homeless ministry, and a growing community basketball night.

Diversity is a hallmark of Dallas First SDA, with nearly two dozen ethnic groups represented in the congregation. The church actively celebrates the different cultural backgrounds of its members and fosters mutual understanding. “If we are all planning to go to heaven, we need to be able to love and serve one another regardless of any perceived differences,” says Tomasia Leatherwood.

Since its founding, Dallas First SDA has played a crucial role in establishing other churches in the DFW area and has been home to many pastors and their families, many of whom have risen to leadership positions in conference and union offices across the North American Division.

The church’s ongoing goal is to be an inspiration to other congregations, demonstrating that even on a small scale, it is possible to do things well and collaboratively. “Throughout our 146 years of history, we have tried to be good stewards of what God has given us. We are not large, we are not wealthy, and we are certainly not perfect, but we want to be a positive example for other churches,” says one of the current leaders.

Dallas First SDA is committed to expanding its community outreach and continues to focus on evangelism through outreach, prayer, and relationships. “We cannot imagine going backward; we must only move forward,” concludes Tomasia Leatherwood.

In 2024, Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrates its 72nd anniversary at its current location, marking a significant milestone in its journey of service and dedication to the community.