USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 26
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A house of worship, the first Baptist meeting house in the county, was erected soon after at a cost of nearly two thousand dol- lars. The growth of the church kept pace with that of the city until its membership soon outnumbered that of any other Baptist church in eastern Washington. In 1889, soon after the great fire, which practically de- stroyed the business part of the city, the church property was sold for about twenty- five thousand dollars. But instead of erect- ing another meeting house, the money was invested in other properties with a view to in- creasing it, and was lost, with hundreds of dol- lars more paid out in the hope of getting some- thing out of those investments. These losses greatly discouraged the church and retarded its progress for several years, when under other conditions its growth would have been the most rapid in its history.
However, the church has emerged from these shadows, and has entered upon a season of substantial prosperity. It is now erecting a building which, when completed, will be by far the finest meeting house in the state, and
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fully equal to any in the Northwest. The chapel or Sunday-school department is now practically finished. This will soon be dedi- cated and used for regular church purposes until the main auditorium is built. This much desired and greatly needed building has been begun and is being carried on largely through the heroic efforts and inspiring lead- ership of the present pastor, Dr. O. W. Van Osdel, who is both architect and manager. Along with the pastor too much credit cannot be given to the noble brethren who compose the building committee, and to Brother Clark, the leading mechanic. Except for the hearty support and co-operation of these brethren, who stood right by the work, spending time, thought and money to the extent of their ability, such a building could not have been erected at this time. The building, when completed, will have cost, even at the very low rates at which the committee is getting ma- terial and work, not less than sixty thousand dollars, and will be well worth seventy-five thousand dollars. The chapel with its fur- nishings has cost about twenty thousand dol- lars. The present church membership is about three hundred and twenty-five. It maintains a prosperous Sunday-school under the wise management of Mr. Walter E. Leigh. Its en- rollment is about two hundred and twenty-five. The church also owns a chapel on Pine street, and sustains a mission Sunday-school known as Pine Street mission. This school is under the management of Mr. Joseph R. Roberson, and has a total membership of one hundred and twenty-five. The present property of this church is valued at about thirty thousand dollars.
After Mr. Britt, Rev. J. F. Baker was the next pastor, beginning August 1, 1883. He was a young man of good ability and great consecration. In his zeal for Christ and the church he virtually laid down his life, his death resulting from overwork August 9, 1887. The third pastor was Mrs. Mary C. Jones, who was
quite successful as an evangelist. She re- signed in the fall of 1891, having served the church over one year as supply and four years as pastor.
Rev. J. H. Beaven was next called to the pastoral care of the church, beginning his labors January 1, 1892. He found the church in sad need of just such executive ability as he brought to the work. With remarkable skill he piloted the church through four years of its most trying experiences. He was a man of ability, consecration and unswerving in- tegrity. With grateful love the church will ever cherish the remembrance of his wise and faithful services.
Rev. O. W. Van Osdel, D. D., was called to the field in the fall of 1896. The history of his work is likely to be the record of many heroic deeds.
The Grace Baptist Church, Spokane (For- merly Northside .- In the fall of 1889 several members of the First Baptist Church, being dis- satisfied with a woman for a pastor, and believ- ing the time had come when in the providence of God, a Baptist church should be established on the north side of the river, they resolved to bring about such a result. After due consider- ation, eighteen of these decided to ask for let- ters, and leave the mother church in order to form the new body, and accordingly, on the second day of January, 1890, by the advice of a council called for the purpose, "The North- side Baptist church" was organized and recog- nized. The new church went to work with a will. A house and two lots were purchased as a church site, a commodious chapel was built and the house enlarged and fitted up as a parsonage, all at a total cost of thirteen thousand dollars. The parsonage was after- wards disposed of. Brother H. L. Boardman, of Colfax, was employed as a temporary sup- ply, pending the selection of a pastor.
Rev. N. C. Fetter becae the first pastor, beginning his work March 1, 1890. He served the church faithfully for four years. On his
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leaving, the church was supplied for a time by Rev. Charles Carroll. In the fall of 1895 Rev. J. Lewis Smith became pastor, and served the church with such perfect acceptance that his leaving at the end of three years was regarded as little less than a calamity.
But trusting Him who is able to supply all our needs, the church soon found the right man · to take up the work. Rev. George R. Varney, a young man of fine ability and culture, was called to the pastorate, and is serving the church with remarkable skill and success. This church has never had a real revival, but it has had a steady, substantial growth from the first. It now has a membership of a little over two hundred, and sustains two good Sunday schools under the superintendence of J. C. Bar- line and Smith Ely. The two schools have a total enrollment of three hundred.
The church has recently purchased two lots on Broadway, and expects in the near future to erect upon them a modern house of worship to cost twenty thousand dollars or more.
Medical Lake Baptist Church .- The Bap- tist church at Medical Lake was organized in 1883, with eight members, by Rev. J. H. Teale, who became its first pastor, and under whose labors the church erected a house of worship and received about thirty members. The church was some time without a pastor, and be- came greatly reduced in numbers and discour- aged in spirit. Rev. E. G. O. Groat and E. F. Jerard were its last pastors. But the church did not regain its former strength, and is now practically extinct.
Rockford Baptist Church .- A small Baptist organization was formed at Rockford by Rev. S. W. Beaven in 1884, which soon grew to twenty members. But having no pastor, the little church was short lived.
In the winter of 1895 Rev. Walter L. Wood began work at this place and in the spring of that year, assisted by General Mis- sionary A. M. Allyn, he organized a Baptist church, which, though weak, is still in exist-
ence. We hope before long to have a meeting house for this church. Rev. W. L. Wood and Arthur Royse were the only pastors of this church.
Spokane Calvary Baptist Church .- This church was constituted in 1890 by the efforts of Rev. J. P. Brown, who became its first pas- tor, remaining with the church for some four or five years. Rev. P. B. Barrow afterwards took charge of the church. In 1897 the church purchased a house and lot on Third avenue and fitted up a very neat and commodious chapel at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars. This is being paid for in regular installments. To pay this large sum is requiring many sacri- fices on the part of the little band comprising the membership of the church, but they are a heroic, Christ-loving people, and will succeed. The church has been of slow growth, having now about thirty members.
Rev. J. B. Beckham, a cultured young man from the South, was recently called to the pas- torate, and is doing good work.
Spokane Swedish Baptist Church .- The Swedish Baptist church of Spokane was con- stituted in the spring of 1894 through the faith- ful efforts of Miss M. Malmburg, a Swedishı missionary of great zeal and ability. Rev. A. Olsen became its first pastor, and did excellent work. In the fall of 1898 the present pastor, Rev. C. A. Boberg, took charge of the work. He is an able, Godly man, and the church is prospering under his care.
The church now has a membership of about seventy-five, and sustains two Sunday schools, with a total enrollment of about one hundred and thirty. The church is about to purchase lots, and hopes to erect a good house of worship during the coming summer.
First Baptist Church of Latah .- The Bap- tist church of Latah was organized in the fall of 1893, through the efforts of General Mis- sionary Allyn, with ten charter members. A good church property was at once purchased. Rev. E. W. Lloyd was the first pastor, who in .
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less than eighteen months received into the church over one hundred new members. After Mr. Lloyd gave up the work, the church was for some time without a pastor. Rev. F. A. Houston served the church as pastor for half time for over one year, after which Rev. Arthur Royse became pastor. The church is now being supplied by Bro. George Reed, of Spangle. A good Sunday school is sustained.
Lockwood Baptist Church .-- This church was gathered through the self-sacrificing labors of Rev. Thomas Theall, or "Father Theall," as he was called, who, though over seventy years old, during the first year of his ministerial ef- forts at that place, supported himself by chop- ping cord wood at one dollar a cord, while he preached every Sunday and some of the time every night, winning about fifty souls to Christ. In the organization of the church, which took place in April, 1894, and in the baptisms which followed, Father Theall was assisted by General Missionary A. M. Allyn.
After Father Theall became too feeble to serve the church, Rev. W. L. Wood became pastor, and his health failing. Bro. L. L. Wing, who still has charge of the church, was called to the pastorate.
Richland, or Enon, Baptist Church .-. 1 Baptist church called the Richland Prairie church was organized at this place with thir- teen members in 1891, by Rev. E. G. O. Groat, of Spangle. But being soon left without a pas- tor, the church became extinct after two years. In the spring of 1895 Rev. W. L. Wood settled in the community, re-established Baptist ser- vices and organized a Baptist church which is now called the Enon Baptist church. Bro. Wood was in poor health, but was a man of great ability and consecration. This was his last work. After four years of faithful service he went to his reward, leaving a host of friends, many of whom are preparing to follow him. As a monument to his faith and service, we have a good church of twenty-five or thirty members, with a large Sunday school. This
church is now under the pastoral charge of Bro. L. L. Wing.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SPOKANE COUNTY.
The first church bearing the distinctive name "Christian Church" was organized in the town of Spangle, April 4, 1880. by Elder C. J. Wright. It was organized in a small school building with a charter membership of twenty- eight. Public services were held in this until a larger and more satisfactory house of wor- ship could be secured.
When the Baptists in Spangle were erecting their house of worship, the members of the Christian church contributed to aid in the work on condition that they be granted the use of the house one Lord's Day in the month, and at such other times as might not conflict with the services of the Baptist church. Under this arrangement the work of the two churches was satisfactory and harmonious.
In the year 1888 or 1889 the Christian church began the erection of a church building, the Baptists contributing to aid in the work.
This was completed, and services first held in it in the year 1892.
In securing this church property, including lot. house of worship and church furnishings, no aid was received from any missionary soci- ety or church extension fund. The citizens of Spangle and community, whether church mem- bers or not. contributed to share the cost. It is a neat, well-constructed church building, situ- ated on a beautiful elevation, east of the rail- road, and not far from the business part of the town. It has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty or three hundred. It has been recently repainted, and is kept in good repair. The church has a good Sunday school and an act- ive Christian Endeavor Society, also an ener- getic Ladies' Aid Society. This society has re- cently re-carpeted the rostrum and aisles and furnished new chairs for the rostrum. There are preaching services morning and evening two Sundays in the month, conducted by Dr.
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J. M. Allen, of Spokane, and Bible lecture and lesson the preceding Saturday evenings. The Baptist church and the Christian church in Spangle co-operate heartily and harmoniously in their work, and are mutually helpful.
The church at Latah was organized at the Alpha school house, some two miles from the present town of Latah, by Elder C. T. Wright in March, 1883, with a charter membership of twenty-three. Regular services were continued for a time in the school house. Afterwards, when the town of Latah was started, a neat, comfortable house of worship, with a seating capacity of two hundred, was erected in the town. This building, as the one in Spangle, was secured, furnished, and all fully paid for independent of gifts from any missionary soci- ety or building fund association. This church has a Sunday school, meeting every Lord's Day, but not regular preaching services. Most of the members live in the country. The church has never been strong in membership or money. and for this reason regular preaching services have not been maintained, and the church has made slow growth since its organization.
No preacher of the Christian church de- serves more credit for wise and efficient work done in the establishment of this church in Spo- kane county than Evangelist A. W. Dean.
In the latter part of the year 1885 Mrs. J. A. C. Merriman, an intelligent and active mem- ber of the church, and then a teacher in an academy at Cheney, wrote to Robert Moffett, corresponding secretary of the Home Mission- ary Society of the Christian church, with ref- erence to more active and aggressive work in the interests of this church in Spokane county; Washington, and soliciting aid in the prosecu- tion of this work. Secretary Moffett replied favorably, and put her in correspondence with Evangelist A. W. Dean, then preaching at Col- fax, Illinois. This correspondence resulted in the moving of Evangelist Dean, with his fam- ily. to Cheney early in the year 1866. He and his wife had both been educated at the North-
western Christian University (now Butler Uni- versity), Indianapolis, Indiana, and they came to this new field endorsed and well recom- mended by the Mission Board. Evangelist Dean' soon proved himself worthy of the recommen- ciation given him and in every way well fitted for the work to which he had been called. In social life he was genial. gentle, unassuming,. considerate of the rights of others ; a Christian gentleman : as an evangelist he employed no silly, sensational methods to draw audiences. In his preaching he was scriptural, persuasive, not afraid nor ashamed to preach the truth, but preaching it, not in the spirit of controversy, but in the love of it; ever looking to the Gos- pel. not as his own power, but as the power of God to the salvation of the lost. In all his. work he had the cordial sympathy and co- operation of his faithful, self-sacrificing, Chris -- tian wife.
During the spring of 1886 Evangelist Dean' held revival services and organized churches in Cheney, Medical Lake, Deep Creek and Spo -. kane (then Spokane Falls). For the meeting in Cheney the Baptists generously tendered the use of their church buildings. This meeting resulted in several conversions, and at its close a church was organized with a charter mem- bership of about twenty-two. The Baptist house of worship was secured for regular preaching services once a month, and at such other times as would not inconvenience the Baptists in their own services. Some time later on the Christian church secured a lot and' erected a church building in which services have been held more or less regularly until the pres- ent time. From removals of its members and other causes, this church has made but slow, if any permanent growth, and, while there have been several protracted meetings and a good many conversions in the church since it was or- ganized, it is perhaps no stronger than at the. time of its organization.
The revival services held in a school house. at Deep Creek resulted in a number of conver --
11
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
sions, and the organization of a church at that place. This church never erected a church building, after a time discontinued regular church services, and has ceased to exist as an organization.
At Medical Lake also, as at Cheney, the Baptists cheerfully granted the use of their church building for the revival services held by Evangelist Dean in the spring of 1886. This meeting resulted in the organization of the Christian church in that place, and the use of the Baptist church building was granted for regular preaching services one Lord's Day every month until the Christian church should be in condition to erect a house of worship. The charter membership of this church was about twenty. Regular preaching has been maintained most of the time since the organi- zation of the church. When without a regular pastor, Dr. A. W. Green, a brother-in-law of Evangelist Dean, has preached for the congre- gation when not too closely occupied with his duties as physician and druggist. Mrs. Green. also an intelligent and a very consecrated Chris- tian woman, has always been very active and efficient in the C. W. B. M. and Sunday school work in this church, and in other ways tending to the growth and prosperity of the Christian church in Medical Lake. The church, never financially or numerically strong, has had a hard struggle to maintain its existence, and has been able to do so only by continued self- sacrifice on the part of its membership. Within the last three or four years they have erected. furnished, and almost entirely paid for an ex- cellent church building large enough to seat an audience of three hundred or more. The only aid from abroad they had in this was a four per cent. five-year loan of two hundred dollars or three hundred dollars from the church exten- sion fund, and most of this loan has been paid off. Elder George Barrows, of Moscow, has been recently called to the pastorate of the church.
The chief strength of the Christian church
in Spokane county is in the city of Spokane, the membership here being larger than the ag- gregate membership in the county outside of the city.
The Central Christian Church was organ- ized April 1, 1886, by Evangelist A. W. Dean, in the old Congregational church building at the corner of Bernard and Sprague streets. Rev. Jonathan Edwards was at this time pastor of the Congregational church. Their house of worship was courteously tendered by Pastor Edwards and his church for the series of re- vival services held by Evangelist Dean at that time and for the organization of the new- church. Rev. Edwards attended the services throughout and assisted and encouraged in the services and in the work of organizing the church, both pastor and membership of the Congregational church manifesting a most fra- ternal Christian feeling. Twenty-one mem- bers constituted the Central Christian church at this time, among whom were Dr. J. M. Major, A. P. Wolverton, Mrs. S. J. Pynor, Mr. Gum and wife, Mrs. Lizzie Wright, Major R. H. Wimpey and wife, William Hix, Mrs. Fristo, Mrs. Archer, W. H. Brockman and wife, and others whose names are not recalled. Regular weekly services were held for a time in the Congregational church building, after- wards in a hall over the First National bank, corner of Front and Howard streets; then for a time in the Y. M. C. A. hall, and afterwards in the W. C. T. U. hall. From the time of its organization public services, with or without preaching. were held every Lord's day. Evan- gelist Dean divided his tinte among the churches he had organized at Cheney, Deep Creek, Medical Lake and Spokane until some time in the summer of 1888, when, prostrated from disease and overwork, he was compelled to cease his labors. He died at Medical Lake in the fall of 1888, remembered with great af- fection by all for whose salvation and happi- ness he had so faithfully labored and suffered.
The first regular pastor of the Central
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Christian church was S. B. Letson, who began his work in January, 1888. At this time the membership was forty-four. During this year a lot was purchased at the corner of Post and Third streets, and a neat and commodious house of worship erected. This was dedicated the second Lord's day in September, 1888, El- der F. Waldon preaching the dedication sermon. During the last five or six years the Central Christian church of Spokane has had rapid growth, and is now, with a membership of four hundred and fifty or five hundred, one of the leading and most influential churches in the city. It has a flourishing Sunday school, Endeavor societies, Senior and Junior, and maintains a prosperous mission at Union Park, a suburb of the city. Having outgrown, in its actual mem- bership, the seating capacity of its present house of worship, it was decided about a year ago to build a new and larger house, and in a more de- sirable location. A very choice lot, one hun- dred feet square, was secured at the corner of Third and Stevens streets, on which it is the purpose of the congregation to erect, in the near future, a house of worship commensurate with its needs, worthy of its membership, and in harmony with its surroundings in this beau- tiful and rapidly growing city.
The pastors of the Christian church in Spo- kane have been S. B. Letson, January, 1888, to 1890; G. W. Ross, 1890, to March 1, 1892; Dr. J. M. Allen, June, 1892, to November, 1897. The present pastor, B. E. Utz, began his pastorate November, 1897, immediately succeeding Dr. Allen, and under his faithful and energetic ministration the congregation is looking forward hopefully to still larger achievements in the future. The membership of the Christian church in Spokane county, in- cluding the city of Spokane, is not large-less, perhaps, than seven hundred, but whatever success it may have had has been due almost wholly to the labors and liberality of the mem- bership living within the boundaries of the county. It has received very little aid from any
missionary society or church extension fund- in the aggregate not more than one thousand or one thousand five hundred dollars-since the first church was organized in the county, twenty years ago. It has supported its own preachers and evangelists, and erected and fur- nished its own church buildings. It has con- tributed more to missions, home and foreign, more to the church extension fund, to aid in building houses of worship elsewhere, than it has ever received. The Christian church in Spokane county has no complaint to make of the treatment it has received at the hands of other religious organizations in the county. This, almost without exception, has been kind and fraternal.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN SPOKANE COUNTY.
BY REV. ROSINE M. EDWARDS.
In September, 1838, two Congregational ministers, with their wives, came from New England, passing almost within sight and sound of our far-famed falls on their way to the Col- ville country. These early missionaries were Rev. Elkanah Walker and Rev. Cushing Eells and wives. All the members of this brave con- pany have now gone to their reward. It took these devoted men and women seven months to reach their distination, and they were the first missionaries to work among the Spokane In- dians. They established their station on Walker's Prairie, thirty miles northwest of Spokane. They labored here for nearly ten years, which is treated in another chapter. "Father Eells," as he was familiarly called by his friends, in after years preached around the Spokane and Colville counties. While having charge of the churches at Colfax and Medical Lake, he took occasional trips to Colville to preach to the Indians and whites. Many churches received substantial aid by means of his self-sacrificing life, and sweet-toned bells ring from a number of Spokane county-
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churches as the result of his thoughtfulness and liberality.
First Congregational Church of Spokane .- The first Congregational church organized in the county was the First church of Spokane. It was organized May 22, 1879, in the home of Rev. H. T. Cowley by Rev. G. H. Atkinson, D. D., who was superintendent of home mis- sions in Washington and Oregon. Mr. Cowley was elected acting pastor, and R. G. William- son deacon. For two years religious services were held in the town school house, located near the corner of Railroad avenue and Post street. In the spring of 1881 Rev. F. T. Clark arrived and became the first pastor, and on De- cember 20 a church building was dedicated on the corner of Sprague and Bernard streets near where the Northern Pacific depot now stands. The dedicatory services were partic- ipated in by Rev. G. H. Atkinson, D. D., and Rev. Cushing Eells, D. D., and the pastor. After two years Mr. Clark resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. B. Renshaw, who now re- sides at Pleasant Prairie. Mr. Renshaw served the church for two years, during which time the building was furnished more comfortably. In the spring of 1886 Rev. Jonathan Edwards came from Scranton, Pennsylvania, at the in- vitation of the church, and served as its pastor for nearly five years. During the second year of his pastorate a parsonage was built in the rear of the church on Sprague street. The changes made by the great fire of 1889, and the spreading of the business part, made it advis- able to move further back. So the first site was sold in September, 1889, and property se- cured on the corner of Fourth and Washing- ton streets. Plans for the substantial granite structure were made, and the work on it begun. Meanwhile services were held in the temporary temple on Washington street near Third, now occupied by the Seventh Day Adventists. The first church building can be seen on South Ber- nard street just as it looked originally. The parsonage was sold to private parties, and was
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