Adventist efforts in the Crawl Hill Area started when Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hill decided to be baptized. They were so happy about their newfound faith, they just could not keep it to themselves, but got right about letting their neighbours know about it. Even though some resisted, many became interested.
The group started to hold night and Sabbath meetings in the area in a cottage donated by a Mr. Adolphus Bean. Eventually, the owner of the cottage also gave his life to the Lord. Shortly afterwards, in 1907 the Hills decided to set up a branch Sabbath School in their own home. A number of tent meetings during 1907 resulted in the growth of the small group. These meetings were coordinated by the first permanent minister to Bermuda, Elder James A. Morrow (and his wife).
Growth
The Sabbath School group, which started out with 16 persons included: Brother & Sister Charles Hill, Sister Ethel Hill, Julian Hili, Byron Hill, Artie Watson, Charlotte Watson, Tiney Watson, Lindon Watson, Henry Watson, Kumore Watson, Irene Watson, Brother & Sister William Darrell, Mildred Darrell and Nella Darrell.
In 1908, the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bermuda was started in Middletown, Pembroke with 25 baptized members. The small group in the Crawl Hill area slowly began to disintegrate. The Watsons moved out to other vicinities. The Darrells found it more convenient to join the Hamilton church while the others had become discouraged. The efforts in that area almost died except that the Hills (parents) remained faithful and kept the work alive.
In 1935, Pastor Houghton was instrumental in organizing a company of about 12 members in the St. George’s area. The group started worshipping in an upper room owned by Brother and Sister Ernest Bourne.
The St. Georges Church (which could only seat about 50 persons at the time) had become crowded when the Lambs; Pitchers’, Burchalls, Lowes, Halls, Outerbridges, Hills and Richardsons moved in from the St. David’s, Bailey’s Bay and Crawl areas respectively. Between 1949 and 19S6, the little company in St. George’s had grown to 200 members.
During the leadership of Pastor V.E. Calstrum as Mission President, which began in 1964, Pastor A. R. Haig who was at that time serving as the leader of St. George’s Church, decided to do something with a piece of property purchased almost 1S years prior in the Crawl Hill area. He visited the home of Brother and Sister Charles Hill Jr. who suggested to him that they start open-air meetings in the area. The members in the area quickly accepted the challenge and got right to work despite the financial support from the Mission. Shortly after the start of the open-air campaign, the members were offered the option of renting Temperance Hall to use for two meetings per week. The offer was gladly accepted.
Birth of The Heights
On Thursday, October 31 , 1965 at 7:30 p.m., Pastor Haig presented his first religious lecture at Temperance Hall. On Sabbath, November 6, 1965 at 9:30 a.m., the group had their first Sabbath service. At 3:30 p.m. on the same day, the group held Its organization service. During which, Pastor Vernon Calstrum, Eugene Virgil and Pastor A.R. Haig declared the group a church and they were officially registered as such. The members were encouraged by Pastor Adams to build their own church. They were warned by Pastor H. Carl Currie to ·stop dragging their feet”. They took heed, and In 1972 had their church building completed. Special mention must be made of Sister Marceline Richardson and brother Clinton Hall who played a very important part in acquiring the church property and of all the members who toiled tirelessly to see our church come to fruition.
After much climbing, struggling for footholds, slipping, sore and aching feet, bleeding hands, weary bodies and sometimes fainting hearts, the members achieved their goal- their prize. The early members realized they had taken God at His word and received His promised blessings when they looked at their finished ‘Midland Heights Church. The church was dedicated in December 1978 with a membership of 140.
For over 30 years, the Midland Seventh-day Adventist Church has had an impact in the Crawl community, providing spiritual and tangible support to Its members. Today, the Heights, with a membership of 293 is still passionate and committed to both spiritual and numerical growth. Although the church has changed considerably, the priorities, principles and fundamental beliefs established by our church founders and those long before, continue to be guiding forces for The Heights.