150th Anniversary Celebration

Founded in Faith. Forward in Mission.

Battle Creek College held its first class on Aug. 24, 1874. As the school developed over the years, it was later renamed Emmanuel Missionary College and eventually Andrews University. One hundred and fifty years after that first class, we celebrate the school's history and legacy on Sabbath, Aug. 24, 2024.

The commemoration begins at Pioneer Memorial Church on Sabbath morning: 

9pm a.m. Traditional worship service
11:45 a.m. Collegiate worship service

• Welcome video from Pastor Ted Wilson
• Special 150th anniversary video
• Legacy family readings
• Live remarks from President Taylor

The celebration continues in the afternoon.

1:30–3 p.m. Picnic: Church members carry on the tradition of welcoming all freshmen and new students with a meal on the church lawn.

Church members are invited to ring the 1875 University Bell. This is the actual bell heard every day by James and Ellen White, John Harvey Kellogg, Uriah Smith and other founders of this school.

3:15–4 p.m. Sutherland House Tour: Ronald Knott, director of Andrews University Press, hosts a brief tour of this historic house, the very first building constructed on campus, and shares poignant and inspirational stories from the home of the man who, with Ellen White's specific support, initiated the great move of the school from Battle Creek to Berrien Springs.

4:30–5:45 p.m. Rose Hill Cemetery Tour: Jim Ford, associate director of the Center for Adventist Research, and Meredith Jones Gray, University historian, lead a memorial walk in Rose Hill Cemetery, where many University founders and supporters rest. 

8 p.m. Vespers: Finish this special day back at Pioneer Memorial Church with readings by JoAnn Davidson, professor of systematic theology, and organ by Kenneth Logan, minister of music at PMC.

Learn more about Andrews University history at andrews.edu/150.