History

Early Beginnings

The first place of worship was a rented room located on 8^th Street and Avenida Central. From there, the group moved to the home of sister Rose Clark, Tita’s grandmother, located at the end of Avenida B. As the group grew, the first board building was purchased in the area of Camino de Ganado (now Avenida Ancón). Church services began at this location in 1912.

Another small group met at the Mandinga Church in the old townsite of Emperador on the west bank of the Panama Canal during construction. When the Canal opened on August 15, 1914, Emperador was abandoned and members joined the church on Camino de Ganado Avenue.

Cabo Verde Era

At Camino de Ganado, members desired to buy another spot for a larger church, known as Panama Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The existing building became too small due to membership growth.

Secretary and treasurer H.C. Kephart submitted a letter to the General Conference on January 22, 1920, stating the urgent necessity of a new building. Land at Cabo Verde was purchased and a new building erected in honor of God, retaining the name Panama Central SDA Church.

The new building was completed in 1926. Elder Elmer Ellsworth Andross, president of the Inter-American Division, held Sunday night meetings that filled the church to capacity.

Central Church flourished with the Lord's blessing. Sunday and Wednesday night meetings were well attended, and the Sabbath service reached full capacity.

Church school was conducted by teacher J.A. Maynard. On November 12, 1953, Ministry of Education granted permits for Escuela Adventista de Cabo Verde, later Escuela República de Costa Rica, now Colegio Adventista Metropolitano in Carrasquilla, San Francisco.

Castellana SDA Church (Spanish)

During the 1930’s, a Sabbath school class in Spanish was started by brother Frederick Murray and brother Gabriel Molyneux, who then joined another group who started to meet at the Cabo Verde building every Sabbath, out of which came the first Spanish Church bearing the name: Castellana Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The Castellana (Spanish) church still flourishes beautifully in Panama City for the honor and glory of God. So, today the Central Church is considered the mother of many Spanish and English churches in Panama City.

Carrasquilla Era

Avenue expansion required relocation. Present property purchased, allowing room for future improvements. Members cleared land and created blueprints for church, school, and gymnasium in 1961. Fundraising and sacrifices followed.

Pastor Robert R. Drachenberg advised constructing the gymnasium with classrooms first, then continuing with the temple. Worship services held in gym until new temple inaugurated on July 9, 1967.

On July 9, 1967, C.L. Powers, president of Inter-American Division, addressed 1,000+ attendees. Colonel José D. Bazán, Minister of Government and Justice and multiple-time Vice President of Panama, laid a commemorative stone plaque and stayed for the entire service. Other participants included Conference president Mario Robinson, Osiris Weiss, and Pastor A. Ward.

Today

Thanks be to God, the Central Seventh-Day Adventist Carraquilla Church continues to be a beacon in Panama City for the honor and glory of God.

"Ebenezer... thus far has the Lord helped us". 1 Samuel 7:12