In 1893 Portland Central, the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Portland, opened its doors at NE 11th and Everett. This church became known as the “Mother Church” because as it grew many of today’s Portland SDA churches that separated from it. The church that was to become Sunnyside spun off in 1925 with 278 charter members. They met for one year in a rented Methodist church at 35th and E Yamhill and began construction of their own facility. In February 1927 the congregation moved into a church of their own at SE 43rd and Washington, built by an Adventist contractor named Biastock who was the brother of charter member Evelyn Reynolds. The new location was in the SE Portland neighborhood called “Sunnyside” thus the church’s name.

The organ prelude for the dedication service of that church was played by Mrs. E. E. Rippey, the benediction was offered by Elder J. A. Rippey. Those two service participants were the mother and grandfather respectively of current Sunnyside member Dr. William Rippey.  Also current Sunnyside members are Dr. Wm. Rippey’s children Wesley and Linda (Rippey) Henry. One pastor of note at the 1st Sunnyside church was Sunny Liu. Some of you may have a vinyl LP record of Pastor Liu’s fine tenor voice.

By the 50th anniversary in 1975, the growing congregation needed a new, larger facility with more room for children’s Sabbath School classes, church social functions and parking. The first relocation site chosen included the Glendoveer Golf course, but the neighbors objected. 2nd choice was the present site at 10501 SE Market St which proved to be an excellent option as it is adjacent to both Portland Adventist Medical Center and the Walla Walla University School of Nursing Portland campus.