Origins in the Atlantic Conference (1889–1899)
The Adventist faith work in the Chesapeake region began in 1844, when pioneer preacher Joseph Bates shared the message of the soon return of Jesus in the area. Organized evangelism developed slowly over the following decades as part of the Seventh-Day Adventist broader denominational push into East Coast cities.
In 1889, the General Conference organized the Atlantic Conference to cover “mission territory” stretching from New York City to Washington, D.C. — including southeast New York, northern New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The conference’s first president, J.E. Robinson, died of tuberculosis within his first year. His brother, H.E. Robinson, took over and led the conference through a period of substantial growth, with membership rising from about 151 to nearly 1,000 by 1895.
By the late 1890s, the Atlantic Conference had grown too large to administer effectively. At a meeting held April 27–30, 1899, in Baltimore, the General Conference recommended that the territory be divided. Delaware, the District of Columbia, and most of Maryland (three western counties had already been ceded to the West Virginia Conference in 1894) became the territory of the new Chesapeake Conference. Delegates elected K.C. Russell as its first president.
At its founding, the Chesapeake Conference served a general population of about 1.5 million with just 700 members, two ordained ministers, two licentiates, three Bible instructors, four canvassers, and one literature evangelist.
Territorial Changes (1894–1917)
The conference’s borders shifted several times in its first decades:
- 1894: Three western Maryland counties (Garrett, Allegany, Washington) were ceded to the West Virginia Conference.
- 1903: Those same counties, plus three West Virginia counties (Morgan, Berkeley, Jefferson), transferred to the Chesapeake Conference.
- 1907: Chesapeake joined the newly formed Columbia Union Conference, which continues to oversee the conference today.
- 1917: Allegany and Garrett counties returned to West Virginia. The conference’s territory has remained essentially stable since.
Growth Through the 20th Century
By the mid-20th century, the Chesapeake Conference had grown to more than 70 churches and roughly 15,000 members. The conference established Highland View Academy, a boarding high school in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1947, and continued to expand its educational, medical, and community ministries throughout the century.
Today, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, next to the Atholton Seventh-day Adventist Church, the conference serves Delaware, most of Maryland, two counties in Virginia, and three counties in West Virginia — a general population of more than 5.2 million. As of recent reporting, the conference includes roughly 73 churches, 12 companies, 18 groups, and 10 schools, with about 690 employees.
Full List of Chesapeake Conference Presidents (1899–Present)
| President | Years |
|---|---|
| Kit Carson Russell | 1899–1900 |
| O. O. Farnsworth | 1900–1906 |
| Morris Lukens | 1906–1908 |
| L. F. Starr | 1908–1909 |
| F. L. Richardson | 1909 |
| R. T. Baer | 1910–1915 |
| M. C. Kirkendall | 1915–1916 |
| J. O. Miller | 1916–1918 |
| A. S. Booth | 1918–1922 |
| J. W. McCord | 1922–1925 |
| R. M. Spencer | 1925–1928 |
| James Arthur Leland | 1928–1930 |
| F. H. Robbins | 1931–1934 |
| Howard Johnson Detwiler | 1934 |
| W. C. Moffett | 1934–1940 |
| C. V. Leach | 1940–1947 |
| C. V. Anderson | 1947–1957 |
| Marvin Elbert Loewen | 1957–1959 |
| A. B. Butler | 1959–1963 |
| Cyril Miller | 1963–1968 |
| W. R. May | 1968–1976 |
| Philip Follett | 1976–1978 |
| George Woodruff | 1978–1985 |
| Wayne Coulter | 1985–1995 |
| Neville Harcombe | 1995–2005 |
| Rob Vandeman | 2005–2011 |
| Rick Remmers | 2011–2020 |
| Jerry Lutz | 2020–2025 |
| André Hastick | 2026–present |
Chesapeake Conference Today
Chesapeake Conference TodayHeadquartered in Columbia, Maryland, next to Atholton Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Chesapeake Conference now serves a growing and diverse general population of more than 5.2 million across:
- Delaware
- Maryland (excluding two counties and including portions of two others)
- Two counties in Virginia
- Three counties in West Virginia
With a strong commitment to ministry and outreach, the conference is home to:
- 73 churches
- 12 companies
- 18 groups
- 10 schools
- 690 employees
The conference’s administrative team consists of three officers, nine department directors, nine associate/assistant directors, and seven support personnel. Together, they provide pastoral leadership, serve as resource personnel, and foster a spirit of collaboration to advance the gospel.
About the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a global Protestant Christian denomination with over 20 million members worldwide, including more than one million in North America. The church is committed to enhancing lives and sharing the message of Christ’s soon return.
Our Roots
The Adventist movement emerged from the Millerite movement of the 1840s, as believers sought deeper biblical understanding. A group in New England rediscovered the significance of the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) as God’s ordained day of worship. This conviction led to the name “Seventh-day Adventist”—reflecting both Sabbath observance and the anticipation of Christ’s second coming.
Global Growth
- 1863: The church officially organized with 3,500 members worshiping in 125 churches.
- 1874: The Adventist message reached Switzerland, marking the beginning of global expansion.
- Late 19th century: The movement spread to Russia, Ghana, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan.
- Today: One of the world’s fastest-growing Protestant denominations, with members in over 200 countries.
For more information, visit the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.