Puerto Rico

One of the first Adventists to reach Puerto Rico was David M. Traill, a 27-year-old medic from the United States Army, in 1898.

Overview of the Country

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States located within the Antilles, between the Dominican Republic in the Greater Antilles and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The archipelago of Puerto Rico contains the main island of Puerto Rico, the smallest in the Greater Antilles, and numerous smaller islands, including Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. Puerto Rico has a tropical climate and a diversity of ecosystems: dry forests, moist forests, mangroves, mountain ranges, beaches, rivers, artificial lakes, and bioluminescent bays.¹

Puerto Rico is sometimes referred to as La Isla del Encanto, for “The Island of Enchantment.” The Taíno people called the island Borikén, “Land of the Valiant Lord.” Puerto Ricans often call the island “Borinquen” and people of Puerto Rican heritage “boricua,” “borinqueño” and “borinqueña,” or “borincano” and “borincana.” When Christopher Columbus arrived for the second time in the New World in 1493, he named the island San Juan Bautista and the capital city Ciudad de Puerto Rico. Over time, the entire island was referred to as Puerto Rico, and San Juan became the name for the main port and capital city. In 1931, the island’s name was officially changed to “Puerto Rico” from a prior anglicization that had named it “Porto Rico.”²

Puerto Rico is made up mostly of mountainous and broken terrain. It has one mountain range, the Cordillera Central (“Central Mountain Range”), that consists of three subranges: the Sierra de Cayey in the southeast, the Sierra de Luquillo in the northeast, and the west-central Cordillera Central, the main subrange.³ The Cerro de Punta is the highest point on the island at 4,390 feet. El Yunque in the El Yunque National Forest goes up to 3,494 feet.⁴

The island has 47 main rivers and 24 lagoons or reservoirs.⁵ The Puerto Rico Trench is the largest and deepest trench in the Atlantic, about 71 miles north of Puerto Rico, 170 miles in length, and almost 27,600 feet deep at the Milwaukee Deep, the deepest point of the trench.⁶

Formal colonization of the island began in 1508 with the founding of the city of Caparra by Juan Ponce de León, who became the first governor of the island. Pope Julius II established three dioceses in the New World, one of which was in Puerto Rico.⁷ The Spanish conquest had a significant impact on the natives on the island, such as the Ortoiroid people, the Saladoid people, and the most numerous at the time, the Taíno people. They suffered a drastic loss of life due to new infectious diseases, exploitation, and warfare. The mix of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures, such as the Taíno, created the modern culture of Puerto Rico.⁸

Arrival of Seventh-day Adventists

One of the first Adventists in Puerto Rico was a 27-year-old medic from the United States Army named David M. Traill. In 1898, he landed on the island along with other American troops.⁹ The following year, he wrote a request to the Review and Herald staff for workers: “The opportunities for the spread of the truth are excellent. The Porto Rican people are anxious to learn American ways, the language, and even the Protestant religion.”¹⁰

In response to this request, Albert and Ida Fischer were sent as the first missionaries to Puerto Rico. They and their two-year-old child “landed at San Juan, went on to Cataño, and in June, 1901, arrived at Mayaguez.” Pastor Fischer spent some early months learning Spanish and then “worked with literature, both in the city and the surrounding country area.”¹¹

After ten months of work, Fischer contracted typhoid fever, a tropical disease, and died on March 23, 1902, at age 30. Ida Fischer was sent to Saint Thomas to spend six months but returned to Puerto Rico after one and a half months “to continue the work that her beloved husband had started.”¹² David Traill went to his rest on February 24, 1903, at the age of 33 as a result of a head injury.¹³ The next denominational missionaries were Brenton and Lillian Connerly from the United States in 1903. They soon started a new missionary magazine called El Centinela de la Verdad, or “The Sentinel of Truth.”¹⁴

The first result of the evangelistic efforts happened in September 1904 when Victoriano Fernández and Pedro Defilló were baptized by Pastor Connerly at the beach in Mayaguez. In December, another four people joined the group of believers, and the first Adventist church on the island was organized on December 17.

The preaching and establishment of the message in Arecibo was started by Brother Moulton near the end of 1904.¹⁵ Around 20 Sabbath keepers were on the island in places of worship in Mayaguez and Arecibo at the time. Baptisms were held in Arecibo, one in October 1905 and another the following year. Thus, the second Adventist church on the island was established in Arecibo on September 30, 1906. Unfortunately, the small congregations in Mayaguez and Arecibo suffered losses as their two main leaders were transferred out of the country. Carlos Moulton went to the Dominican Republic to start the work there, and the Connerlys went to work in Panama in 1909.¹⁶

Pioneers

The following was noted on August 5, 1909:

Last week Elder Wm. Steele and wife sailed for Porto Rico. At the Tuesday evening prayer-meeting, in Takoma Park, Brother Steele was ordained to the ministry. They will be our only workers in Porto Rico, now that Elder B. E. Connerly and wife are transferred to Panama.¹⁷

On October 15, 1909, William Steele wrote a letter that was published in November in which “Brother Steele makes an urgent call for at least one canvasser.”¹⁸ Brethren Cochran and Raff arrived in Puerto Rico, and in December 1910, it was written that they were “doing quite well in the canvassing work, putting out a goodly number of books each week.”¹⁹ These men dedicated themselves to working in these two cities continuing the work that Connerly had started.

Meanwhile, in the capital, San Juan, there was an Adventist who had come from another Caribbean island in 1903. In 1906, the first baptism was celebrated there, and the following year a Sabbath School was formed. The main offices for the mission were moved there, and the work was strengthened in the capital. In 1912, Santiago A. Oberg, a literature evangelist persuaded a young man named Rafael López Miranda and some of his family members and neighbors to join the church in December of that year. As a result of the growth of membership, a church was established in Santurce.²⁰

William Steele reported:

As a result of a series of public services held in Moca, a church of twenty-seven members has been raised up, and a neat little chapel built, free from debt. Brother C. E. Moon has spent some time working in the surrounding country, and a number are preparing for baptism as a result.

The cooperation of Drs. Morse and Otis, who are located in the field, has been a source of strength to the work. Our nurses have been kept busy, and their services have been appreciated. Our membership has increased from four in 1910 to 85 in 1915. Our Sabbath-schools have an attendance of 120.²¹

In 1908, the administrator of a sugar mill operating in the south part of the island got sick and went to the United States to obtain treatment at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan. He was so impressed with the care he received that he asked for doctors from that institution to come to Puerto Rico to work for Guánica Central, the sugar mill. In response to his request, Dr. Martin arrived to work for the mill at the end of the year and was later joined by Dr. Harry Knapp. Around September 1909, Dr. John H. Kellogg visited the sugar mill and documented his visit in the notes of a conference he held later.²² One of the doctors who arrived at a later date, Dr. W. C. Dunscombe, founded Bella Vista Hospital in Mayaguez in 1954.

Spread and Development of the Message

Among those converted during that period, Rafael López Miranda stands out. His desire was to help spread the salvation message of the church and, together with Pastor William Steele, established a congregation in Cayey in 1915. Lopez Miranda, a Puerto Rican who had a deep desire to spread the message beyond the confines of Puerto Rico, went to the neighboring island of the Dominican Republic and converted Jaime Phipps to the faith. Jaime became the first Adventist worker to be ordained in that country.

Rafael López Miranda, hoping to spread the message beyond the horizon, visited the country of Venezuela in 1918 and again in 1920 where he sold books and magazines. In 1921, he organized the second Adventist congregation in Camaguán, Venezuela. There, López Miranda helped convert Julio García, the first Venezuelan to be ordained to the ministry. Sadly, on his way to visit a small rural village, López Miranda was ambushed and assassinated on May 15, 1922.²³ Rafael López Miranda was the first martyr in the Inter-American Division who gave his life for the preaching and spreading of the gospel.

The preparation and training of local workers was one major factor in the growth of the church in Puerto Rico. In June 1916, William Steele held a three-month seminar as part of an evangelistic meetings in Aguadilla. Eight young people attended the courses and were enthusiastic for the training received.²⁴ Among these young men, Francisco Megrant stands out. He had served as a pastor for another denomination. In 1923, he was the first Puerto Rican to be ordained to the Adventist ministry. In addition to Megrant, Salvador Rivera and Rafael Bracero had also been employed by other churches. Manuel Méndez, a member from Aguadilla, also took part in the course and was baptized. He was a teacher in the public school system.

Institutions

Considering the necessity to prepare young men for the ministry, it was decided to establish an educational institution for local workers. In 1920, “by the kindness and liberality of the General Conference,” the first Adventist school in Puerto Rico was established in Aibonito.²⁵ The school was located on 25 acres of luscious land in a beautiful spot with a view of the city of Aibonito. The soil produced various kinds of fruits. The school had a dormitory for 30 girls with a space for the dean of girls, a dormitory for boys, a classroom building with space for a dining room and kitchen, and a home for the school’s principal. During vacation periods, students engaged in colporteur work.²⁶ Unfortunately, in 1928, because of destruction caused by Hurricane Felipe and the difficult situation in Puerto Rico, the school had to be closed.

In 1930, in an effort to prepare pastors, the president of the church, Pastor Clinton Achenbach, held a special course for three young men, Teléforo Carlo, Pedro Perales, and Eloy Acosta. The course lasted 16 months. Carlo got sick, but the other two served the church in an outstanding manner.

In 1937, the Santurce Adventist school located on the east side of the island began to provide classes on the secondary level. In 1957, it was decided to create a secondary level boarding school in Mayaguez on the west side of the island. In 1961, because Antillian College in Cuba had to close, its program was moved to the secondary school campus in Mayaguez, keeping the name of Antillian College. Also, the school in Santurce was reopened and offered college level classes.

Church Administrative Units

In the 1948 biennial session, the then Puerto Rican Mission acquired conference status as it had 35 churches and 2,625 members. Its president was Pastor S. L. Folkenberg. In 1950, Pastor Eloy Acosta was elected the first Puerto Rican president for the Puerto Rican Conference.

Today, Puerto Rican Union Conference has its main offices in Mayaguez, and the union has four conferences, one for each of the cardinal points on the island. Puerto Rico also has Bella Vista Hospital, Bella Vista Polyclinic, and Antillean Adventist University, all located in Mayaguez. The Adventist church in Puerto Rico operates 15 primary schools and 12 secondary schools.

In addition to Puerto Rican Union Conference and its four conferences, the Adventist church in Puerto Rico has two radio stations, WTPM-FM (92.9) and Radio Sol FM (98.3), and a television station (WTPM-LPTV). For the benefit of families and young people, the island has two campgrounds, Campamento Elías Burgos in Utado, and Campamento Pedro López in Luquillo.

In 1969, the territory was divided, forming East Puerto Rico Conference with offices in San Juan and West Puerto Rico Conference with offices in Mayaguez. In 1994, Antillian Union Conference was reorganized, forming Puerto Rican Union Conference and Dominican Union Mission. In 2000, South Puerto Rico Mission with headquarters in Ponce and North Puerto Rico Mission with headquarters in Manatí were created. Both gained conference status in 2010.

In June 2024, Puerto Rico had 307 Adventist churches and 33,756 members.²⁷ It also had 116 ordained ministers and 37 licensed ministers.

Impact on the Community

The Adventist church in Puerto Rico is very well known as it impacts the entire island through its programs on its two radio stations and television station. Antillean Adventist University also impacts Puerto Rican society through its academic programs covering the entire island by offering courses and degrees on the west and east sides of the island. Bella Vista Hospital offers exceptional health care to all and thus has a powerful influence on society, which positively impacts the spread of the Adventist message.

In 2024, the church faced great challenges in fulfilling its mission. More than 400,000 people have moved to the mainland United States in the last decade. In addition, growing secularism and postmodernism have been obstacles to the growth of the church on the island.

Sources

Andross, E. E. “West India Islands.” ARH, May 4, 1922.

Achenbach, C. V. “The Porto Rican Mission: Encouraging Progress.” ARH, June 22, 1922.

Brown, Walton J. “Puerto Rico: then and now.” ARH, May 26, 1983.

Campbell, Michael W. “Rafael López Miranda.” Adventist Review. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://adventistreview.org/living-faith/rafael-lopez-miranda/.

Connerly, B. E. “Editoriales.” El Centinela. March 1909.

Connerly, B. E. “Porto Rico.” ARH, January 26.

Connerly, Mr. and Mrs. B. E. “Porto Rico.” The New York Indicator, March 25, 1903.

“Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordillera_Central_(Puerto_Rico).

Jones, Alonzo T., and Uriah Smith, editors. “Porto Rico – Conditions and Opportunities.” ARH, February 14, 1899.

Kellogg, J. H. “Conference in the Gymnasium of the Sanatorium.” April 4, 1910. Dr. J. H. Kellogg Historical Archives, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

“List of rivers of Puerto Rico.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Puerto_Rico.

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Certificate of Death No 152-1947-00000 (2014), David M. Traill; Government of Puerto Rico, Department of Health-Demographic Registry, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Palmer, E. R. “A Beginning in Porto Rico.” ARH, November 11, 1909.

“Puerto Rican Union Conference.” Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=13918.

“Puerto Rico.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico.

“Spanish settlement of Puerto Rico.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_settlement_of_Puerto_Rico.

Spicer, W. A. “Last week Elder Wm. Steele…” ARH, August 5, 1909.

Steele, Wm. “Porto Rico.” ARH, December 1, 1910.

Steele, Wm. “Porto Rico.” ARH, December 21, 1916.

Steele, Wm. “Survey of the Field: Porto Rico.” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1916.

Notes

1. “Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed July 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico.↩

2. Ibid.↩

3. “Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico),” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed July 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordillera_Central_(Puerto_Rico).↩

4. “Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia.↩

5. “List of rivers of Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed July 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Puerto_Rico.↩

6. “Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia.↩

7. “Spanish settlement of Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed July 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_settlement_of_Puerto_Rico.↩

8. “Puerto Rico,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed July 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico.↩

9. Walton J. Brown, “Puerto Rico: then and now,” ARH, May 26, 1983, 521-522 (17-18).↩

10. Alonzo T. Jones and Uriah Smith, editors, “Porto Rico – Conditions and Opportunities,” ARH, February 14, 1899, 108 (12).↩

11. Walton J. Brown, “Puerto Rico: then and now,” ARH, May 26, 1983, 521-522 (17-18).↩

12. Ibid.↩

13. Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Certificate of Death No 152-1947-00000 (2014), David M. Traill; Government of Puerto Rico, Department of Health-Demographic Registry, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.↩

14. Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Connerly, “Porto Rico,” The New York Indicator, March 25, 1903, 3,.↩

15. B. E. Connerly, “Porto Rico,” ARH, January 26, 1905, 18.↩

16. B. E. Connerly, “Editoriales,” El Centinela, March 1909, 181.↩

17. W. A. Spicer, “Last week Elder Wm. Steele…,” ARH, August 5, 1909, 24.↩

18. E. R. Palmer, “A Beginning in Porto Rico,” ARH, November 11, 1909, 20.↩

19. Wm. Steele, “Porto Rico,” ARH, December 1, 1910, 18.↩

20. Francisco J. Vega, personal knowledge as a historian.↩

21. Wm. Steele, Supt., “Survey of the Field: Porto Rico,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1916), 272, accessed July 15, 2025, https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1916.pdf.↩

22. J. H. Kellogg, “Conference in the Gymnasium of the Sanatorium,” April 4, 1910, Dr. J. H. Kellogg Historical Archives, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.↩

23. Michael W. Campbell, “Rafael López Miranda,” Adventist Review, accessed July 15, 2025, https://adven.↩

24. Wm. Steele, “Porto Rico,” ARH, December 21, 1916, 10.↩

25. C. V. Achenbach, “The Porto Rican Mission: Encouraging Progress,” ARH, June 22, 1922, 19.↩

26. E. E. Andross, “West India Islands,” ARH, May 4, 1922, 20-21.↩

27. “Puerto Rican Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, accessed July 15, 2025, https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=13918.↩