History of Yangon Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
By Kenneth H. Suanzanang (Edited Version)
Introduction
The Yangon Central Seventh-day Adventist Church was the first Seventh-day Adventist congregation organized in Burma (now Myanmar). Its history represents the beginning of Adventist mission work in the country and the faithful witness of early believers who laid the foundation for the Church today.
Background of Christianity in Myanmar
Christianity reached Myanmar long before the Adventist Church arrived. American missionary Adoniram Judson landed in Yangon on July 13, 1813, beginning Protestant mission work in the country.
Judson later established Baptist work in Mawlamyine and completed the Burmese translation of the Bible on January 31, 1834, which was published in full in 1840.
In comparison, Seventh-day Adventist missionaries entered Myanmar only after Adventist mission expansion began in India in 1895.
The First Adventist Believers in Myanmar
In 1900, a Baptist believer named Daw May discovered the biblical seventh-day Sabbath through personal Bible study. She shared her conviction with her younger brother U Maung Maung, a government employee in Yangon.
In 1902, self-supporting missionaries Herbert B. Meyers and A. G. Watson arrived from Kolkata as literature evangelists. They rented a house at 110 Brooking Street (now Bogale Zay Street), where:
- The first Sabbath School in Myanmar was conducted.
- Ellen Meyers opened the first Adventist school with 18 students.
U Maung Maung accepted the Sabbath truth even though it cost him his government job. After attending an Adventist meeting in 1904, he requested that missionaries be officially sent to Myanmar.
Arrival of Mission Leadership (1905)
Responding quickly, the General Conference sent Herbert H. Votaw and his wife Carolyn Harding Votaw to Yangon in January 1905 as the first mission superintendent.
Soon afterward, medical missionary Lawrence F. Hansen and teacher Lydia E. Hansen arrived to assist the growing work.
At this time, several believers were already keeping the Sabbath, showing that God had prepared hearts before official mission organization.
Early Converts and Growth
Among the first converts were:
- Daw May
- U Maung Maung
- Daw Thein May
- Esther
- U Myat Htoon
- Walter Martin
- Arthur Isacke
Many became church workers and leaders.
Arthur Isacke’s faith became well known when he requested Sabbath leave from his employer. Impressed by his commitment to God, his supervisor granted the request and later promoted him to manage the Mandalay branch.
Early Meeting Places
The Adventist believers met in several locations:
- 110 Brooking Street (1902–1906) – First meeting place
- Cowasjee Terrace (1905–1928) – Maha Bandoola & Seikkantha Streets
- 68 U Wisara Road – Permanent church property
Medical missionary work by the Hansens opened doors with government leaders, allowing Adventists to use Cowasjee Terrace Hall for worship services.
Organization of the First Church
In 1905, Pastor Votaw baptized the first group of believers.
On April 6, 1907, the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar was officially organized with 23 members.
Charter members included:
- Herbert H. Votaw
- Carolyn Votaw
- Daw May
- U Maung Maung
- Daw Thein May
- Esther
- Myat Htoon
- Walter Martin
- Arthur Isacke
- Po Hla
- Chit Hla
This historic event marked the birth of organized Adventism in Myanmar.
Church Building and Mission Headquarters
In 1928, missionary C. H. Mackett purchased land near Shwedagon Pagoda, an ideal location close to downtown Yangon.
Key milestones:
- Foundation laid: August 10, 1928
- Construction completed: January 28, 1929
- Church dedication: January 31, 1929
The building design followed an Adventist church in Kolkata, India.
During World War II, the church building survived but was used as a stable, and records were lost. After the war, lay leader Dr. Ohn led restoration efforts.
Expansion and Influence
As membership grew, new churches were established:
- Kanbe (1948)
- Ahlone (1950)
- Insein (1950)
- North Okkalapa
- North Dagon
- Dagon Port (Yuzana)
By 2017, Yangon Central Church had grown from 23 members to approximately 1,000 members, becoming financially strong and supporting mission work throughout Myanmar.
The church received Fourth Prize in Church Beautification (1997) within the Asia-Pacific Division.
Pastoral Leadership Timeline
1905–1907 — H. H. Votaw
1907 — R. R. Cock
1911–1912 — J. M. Comer
1912–1922 — George A. Hamilton
1920–1923 — Isaac Counsell
1924–1927 — R. A. Hubley
1927–1932 — G. W. Pettit
1932–1942 — W. W. Christensen
1937 — George A. Hamilton
1960–1962 — R. H. Woolsey
1966–1971 — Maung Htwa
1972–1974 — Brown Kia
1974–1979 — Maung Sawt
1977–1979 — Khin Mg Nyein
1980–1983 — Hla Chit
1984–1990 — Tember Chit
1991–1992 — Samuel Po
1991–1992 — Thein Shwe
1993–1995 — Kyaw Sein Pe
1996 — Tember Chit
1997–2002 — K. H. Suanzanang
2003–2004 — Samuel Po
2005–2006 — Sonny Htain
2007–2010 — Maung Maung Htay
2011–2015 — Saw Keh
2016 — Khin Mg Yin
2017–2024 — Muller Taw
2025 — Isaac Keh
2026–Present — Naing Min Thu
Legacy
The Yangon Central Seventh-day Adventist Church stands as:
- The mother church of Adventism in Myanmar
- A symbol of sacrifice, faith, and mission
- A testimony that God prepared Myanmar long before missionaries arrived
From a small Sabbath School in a rented apartment to a strong urban congregation, the church continues its mission of proclaiming the everlasting gospel.