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One Hundred and twenty years ago Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church was formally received into the California Conference of Churches on September 9, 1883. Prior to 1883 the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lake County consisted of small groups meeting in private homes. The earliest records show that one of these groups held their services in the home of the Hurlbutts, who then owned property which later became the Blower Ranch.

Hurlbutt Ranch - Earliest known place of worship until 1917

Some of the buildings on the Hurlbutt Ranch property where used as a home and school for orphans. Later these buildings would house refugees from the San Francisco earthquake. It was after visiting the Hurlbutts in 1908 that Ellen White, an inspired writer, wrote this admonition: "While I was in Lakeport, I was deeply impressed that here ... a faithful work should be done in giving the message of truth to the people ... Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we are to proclaim the truth for this time among these settlements in the mountains and villages."

Ellen G. White

In 1909 The Lakeport Church was organized with 20 members that met for Sabbath services at the home of Mrs. Rosalie Anderson who was church clerk and treasurer. Mrs. Anderson, the mother of Summer Blower and grandmother of Vernon Blower, had a duplex on First Street that was graciously opened for use as a church and school. This was the beginning of a church school in Lakeport. The congregation would later purchase a building for the school.

The faithful fledging church in its pioneer stage eventually outgrew the home facilities and decided to rent Finley School for Sabbath services. Unfortunately this proved to be unsatisfactory as the school was often used Friday evening by other organizations leaving the room in unsatisfactory condition. The need for a house of worship of their own became very urgent. The church was able to purchase the lot across the street from the Finley School. Construction on the church was started in early 1932. Mrs. Anderson financed most of this project with church members doing most of the work.

Finley Church 1932 - 1943

When the church was completed, the congregation turned their attention to the children's need for a school facility. Westlake School District decided to sell the long time vacant Westlake public school. The Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased it as their first school in 1942. In a few years the one-room building was replaced with a larger facility that eventually grew to the present classroom complex and gymnasium at the same location.

Lakeport Seventh Day Adventist Church
1949 - 1997

In 1943, the church experienced the greatest increase in membership of any year in its history. Forty-two members were added by transfer and two by baptism. The congregation had outgrown the 20'x30' pioneer church. It was quite obvious to the focused congregation that the next move had to be made. so in 1945 property was purchased on Ninth and High Streets. Vernon Blower spearheaded the plans for a new facility on the site. However, with the end of World War II, the congregation decided in 1947 to make application to purchase a surplus chapel complex at Camp Beal. After a period of negotiation, the now 119-member congregation paid for and moved the chapel onto the Ninth and High Street property. On June 25,1949, a proud, faith-based congregation and their dedicated minister, Pastor Blunden, held their first service in the $34,904 church building which would later appraise at $300,000.

It seems that by now the congregation had building in their blood, for in 1950 they began a two-year project of constructing a new school for their children at the Westlake location. The church on Ninth and High Streets was dedicated debt free to the Lord in 1954. Pastor Blunden wrote these words in an article describing the dedication: "It was a great joy to the believers to enter into an act of dedication. We now have four organized churches in Lake County and each congregation is housed in a nice church building."

In 1969 another project was completed. A Community Service Center was added, giving Lakeport Church greater opportunity to serve the community.

The membership continued to grow during the '70s' and '80s'. However, no major changes in facilities occurred. Slowly but surely the '90s' would bring change consistent with the growth in membership. The beloved 46 year-old church on High Street was sold in 1997. After prayerful consideration the congregation purchased the very suitable and visible 12+ acre property on Park Way and Hill Road East on which they began the process of building their new sanctuary with its community service center and auxiliary rooms.

The new facility was dedicated on Saturday, June 14, 2003.

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