Valley View Church Celebrates Homecoming

Story by Lisa Wright, Valley View Church Member

In October, the Valley View church in Bluefield, W.Va., hosted homecoming. Approximately 120 folks, including former pastors, teachers, students and members, traveled from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and even Sweden to enjoy worship, music, fellowship and food.

Initially, there were Seventh-day Adventist churches in both Princeton, W.Va., and Bluefield, W.Va. The Valley Vista Seventh-day Adventist School began in 1959 with students from both churches. Through divine intervention, leaders purchased the current property, and the two churches merged in 1978. The school continued at the new location, educating multitudes of students, until it closed in 2016.

At Homecoming 2025, Stephen Gamallo, a church elder, and the Beckley (W.Va.) church youth presented the sermon, reminding attendees of the Great Disappointment, the heavenly sanctuary ministry and the blessed hope of the future. The finale of the day showcased violinist Jaime Jorge in concert.

Organizers thank Judy Johnson, who supplied hundreds of photos of the “good old days” of the Valley View church and school. Visit the church’s Facebook page to enjoy the journey through time.