The history of the Ephesus church dates back to the year 1898, when a small group travelled door-to-door, sharing the Three Angels’ Messages. Their evangelistic efforts yielded thirteen baptizms by Pastor Leroy Christler. Those who were baptized included: Gracie Hunter-Reno and her mother; Mamie Hicks; Mary Butler; and nine others. The outreach efforts were continued by Mary Butler, who was volunteer Bible Worker and a school teacher. In 1904, through her efforts, Mr. and Mrs. T. J Mitchell and several others joined the group. Later on, Elders Ivory, Whetsel and Manns, residents of Hawthorne, Florida traveled to Jacksonville to join the soul winning efforts.

The new believers met in homes and tents until they relocated to the old Odd Fellows Hall on State Street in Jacksonville, FL. Later, Elder M.C. Strachan was placed in charge of the evangelistic efforts in Florida. During his tenure, new members were added to the church, they included Joseph and Annie Singleton, the parents of Mercedes Harris and Elder Harold D. Singleton.

The name Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church was chosen in 1907 by Isaac Robinson Palmer (a local layman of the church), while the members were meeting in a rented Secret Service Lodge hall on Union Street in Jacksonville, FL, where meetings were held on Sabbath mornings. Laterin theyear, Elder Floyd Stevens was assigned by the conference to serve as the first pastor- later on, our first structure wa erected on Fifth and Johnson Streets in Jacksonville.

In 1917, an evangelistic series was conducted. Then, later in the year a tent effort was also held on the corner of Jesse and Van Buren Streets. At the close of both meetings, more members were baptized and added to the church. The church grew rapidly. With this rapid growth, a new worship facility was needed. Jevan E. Anderson, J. P. Pegues and Isaac R. Palmer, with help and contribution from others, constructed a brick structure, where members worshipped until they outgrew the facility in 1966.

In August 1965, Elder R. B. Hairston, Sr. was assigned our church. In July of the following year, he conducted a very successful series of tent meetings on Sixth and Grunthal Streets, during which approximately seventy individuals were baptized. The increase in membership brought with it the problem of seating the congregation. To solve this problem, services were conducted in the auditorium of the church school on West Edgewood Avenue. Realizing the need for a larger facility, a building fund campaign was started.

In July 1967, another series of evangelistic meetings were held on Davis Street near Kings Road. At the close of the meetings, nearly forty new members were baptized. With yet another increase in membership, the seating problem became more severe. To alleviate the capacity concerns the church faced, additional property was purchased on Edgewood Avenue, next to the present church location. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held May 11, 1969 and by Sabbath, April 18, 1970, members were able to move into a new church. This marked the beginning of activity at the new Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church.