BY REGGIE JOHNSON
n 1856 James and Ellen White moved into the first house they ever owned, and the only home that the whole family lived in. One hundred forty five years later, on June 30, 2001, this same house was dedicated after three years of authentic restoration, at the Historic Adventist Village (HAV) in Battle Creek, Michigan.
"It's not the beautiful paint job that's important to me as I reflect on this house," said James Nix, Ellen G. White Estate director and Adventist Heritage Ministry (AHM) board chair. Nor is it the historical "accuracy" and the "antiques," he added. "It's because of what happened here."
Nix pointed out that it was in this house that Ellen White first expressed in writing the message from her famous "Great Controversy Vision." "I think this is why this house means so much to me now today: I have come to realize that the understanding of the great controversy struggle that is going on... impacts everything that I believe and do as a Seventh-day Adventist."
Battle Creek mayor Mark Behnke was present and delivered a message to the hundreds in attendance. "On behalf of the City of Battle Creek we would like to say thank you," he said. "You have done so much for our community that there's no way that we can ever pay you back. We've enjoyed the relationship, and this relationship is just starting to grow."
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place with representatives from the White family (Jacob Boring, sixth generation grandson of James and Ellen White), Adventist Heritage Ministry (Alice Voorheis, president), financial contributor Versacare Inc. (Robert E. Coy, president), the Battle Creek Tabernacle (Hilda Crandall, member), the City of Battle Creek (Mark Behnke, Mayor), and the Washington Heights Neighborhood (Velma Laws Clay, Federal Center Equal Employment Opportunity director).
"I just want to add my thanks and congratulations to everyone who's made this possible," said Michigan State Representative Mark Schauer, who also attended. "This really has been a community effort-a community of God, ministry in action-and I would like to thank you all for traveling from near and far to be here to celebrate this part of our joint history together."
Alice Voorheis, AHM president, presented Mayor Behnke with a copy of Spiritual Gifts Vols. 1-4, by Ellen White. "These will be in the library at our house, and we will use them," said Behnke.
General Conference president Jan Paulsen wasn't able to attend but sent written greetings. "May the dedication and presentation of this home be instrumental in reminding all who attend this dedication today and visit this site in the future that the gift of prophecy, as given to the church through Sister White, is an invaluable gift," he wrote.
Former GC president Neil Wilson, who was also unable to attend, sent an exhortation asking people to remember what this house means. "It would be easy to forget that in this house lived the messenger of the Lord. In this house angels of God visited with Ellen White," he wrote. "It was from this house that refreshing spiritual water of life flowed to a thirsty world."
The house was deeded to AHM in 1982 by the members of the Battle Creek Tabernacle, with plans for it to become the focus of a historic village--which became a reality in 2000. "This is the centerpiece of our village, really," said Stanley Cottrell, AHM director for the HAV. "The focal point of what people want to see is the White house because this was the first house they ever owned, this is where she wrote out the great controversy vision."
"Every exhibit we have here focuses its story on Jesus," he added. Gesturing toward the newly renovated White house, he said,"When we talk about the great controversy story in here, it's a gospel presentation."
"That's the purpose: to impact lives, to reestablish faith, and to bring to reality the cradle of the church, Battle Creek, where the church was actually born, nurtured, and grew," said Don Robinson, great-great-grandson of James and Ellen White and AHM treasurer. "This is the culmination of a lot of work, a lot of effort, and some major financing."
Major funding for the restoration project came through large grants from Versacare Inc., a small Adventist charitable foundation of Corona, California. The restoration work has been led by Buddy Oliver, a professional contractor from Grand Rapids and Carl D. Stearns, a well-known architect and preservation planner from Syracuse, New York, led the restoration work.
Also helping to make this dream a reality were the many volunteers who have helped with the work involved in the restoration. Among them were two students of Bogenhofen, Austria, who sacrificed their three weeks of vacation to help at the HAV.
"We went to America to learn and improve our English," said Benjamin Rohde, from northern Germany. Rohde, along with Agris Berzins, a native of Latvia, was at the Battle Creek Tabernacle the previous Sabbath when the pastor asked for volunteers to help with the finishing work on the White house. Rohde admitted that it was a big sacrifice to give up their vacation time, but "It's worth it," he said. "It's a good work."
Berzins added, "We thought we could find a place where we could help out our Adventist brothers and sisters, and we were happy to have that opportunity here."
"It's the redevelopment of our community that we are constantly moving upon," said Mayor Behnke. "And I've gone on record for saying that no one would have contributed as much investment in our community as the Adventists have here in the Adventist village. I thank them, the people of Battle Creek thank them."
The Adventist Historic Ministry is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping a worthwhile cause, call (423) 396-4007 or visit www.adventist.org/heritageministry/.
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Reggie Johnson is a communication intern for the Lake Union Conference. The story was used by permission of the Lake Union Herald.
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