An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 27

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888

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moved to Fifth avenue, near Shearman street. The corner-stone of the new structure on the corner of Fourth avenue and Washington street was laid September 23. 1890, with ap- propriate services, the grand officers of the Masons participating in the exercises. In 1891 the building was completed, and is the finest church edifice in Spokane, and probably the most expensive in eastern Washington at the present time. It is of Spokane white granite, and cost fifty thousand dollars. It has a large auditorium and a Sunday school room on the ground floor, and parlors upstairs. The inte- rior is well furnished, and nine memorial win- dows add beauty to it. The year the new build- ing was completed (1891) the church was served by Rev. R. A. Beard, D. D., formerly state superintendent of the C. H. M. S., now of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was followed by Rev. M. Willett, D. D., now of Iowa, who came from California. Rev. F. B. Cherring- ton, D. D., became pastor in the fall of 1894, and filled the pastorate for over three years. (Preceding this pastorate this church and the Westminster Presbyterian church consolidated, and the name Westminster Congregational was. assumed. Rev. H. W. Cornett, formerly pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian, was acting pastor for several months. ) Rev. Dr. Cherrington went to San Francisco in January. 1898. For a time the church was pastorless, and was supplied by Rev. S. M. Freeland. Rev. F. V. Stevens came in September, 1898. and served the church until December, 1899. The present pastor is Rev. G. R Wallace. D). D., recently from Chicago. The church now has a membership of about four hundred. The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition. The Christian Endeavor Society was the first to be organized in the city. The Ladies' Aid and Ladies' Missionary Society, the King's Daughters and Loyalty Club. among the young people, and the Junior Christian Endeavor. among the children, are active forces in the work. It is worthy of mention that the sweet-

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toned bell given by Father Eells, and used as a fire-bell when the city was without one, still rings from the stone belfry.

Second Congregational Church .- As the city grew, and the population spread itself, the north side of the river became a favorite res- idence portion. A number of Congregational families made their homes in the locality of the court house, and a Sunday school was started in 1889. Early in 1890 a church was organized, the larger number of members with- drawing from the First church for that pur- pose. The Second Congregational church, as it was named, met for a while in a hall on Mon- roe street, but later built the convenient brick structure on the corner of Mallon and Adams streets, in which it now worships, the land being donated by Col. D. P. Jenkins. Rev. William Davies, a member of the "Yale Washington Band," was called as first pastor, and still serves in that capacity, his being the oldest continu- ous pastorate in Spokane. The Second church lias a membership of over two hundred, a Sun- day school too large for the rooms, and flour- ishing Christian Endeavor, Ladies' Aid, and Missionary and Dorcas societies.

Pilgrim Congregational Church .- In the summer of 1890 the Pilgrim church was or- ganized on the North Side, east of Division street. For nearly two years it worshipped in chapels belonging to the Evangelical and Adventist churches and was ministered to by Rev. F. V. Hoyt. In 1893 Rev. J. Edwards was called to its pastorate and assumed charge. caring also for Pleasant Prairie and Trent. In 1895 a lot was bought on Indiana avenue and in the spring of 1896 a modest frame structure was dedicated. The church now has a membership of eighty and a Sunday school of two hundred. This part of the town has grown so rapidly during the last few years that a larger building is needed now.

West Side Congregational Church .- In 1892 a church was organized in West Spokane. across Hangman creek from the city. A

Sunday school had been conducted there for three years before by J. G. Hoyt. a member of the First church residing in that vicinity. The new church was called the West Side Congregational church and met in the district school house and was cared for by Rev. F. V. Hoyt, and then by Rev. Rosine M. Edwards in connection with work in Hillyard. and later by Professor W. S. Davis. In October. 1898. a neat and convenient building. costing about eight hundred dollars, was dedicated. It is situated on a sightly spot overlooking the valley of Spokane. Rev. Mark Baskerville is its present pastor. A Sunday school and Chris- tian Endeavor Society are well sustained. and 3 Ladies' Missionary Society cares for the for- eign interests of the church.

When the Great Northern Railroad was completed to the coast and the shops established at a point six miles northeast of Spokane a little town began to spring up there and was called Hillyard. A school district was soon formed and the Congregational Sunday school missionary located at Spokane. Rev. E. J. Singer, immediately took steps to organize a Sunday school. It met in the rough building used as a school room and about fifty children gathered there with the school-teacher as su- perintendent. Preaching services were held regularly by the neighboring pastor. Rev. J. Edwards, of Pilgrim church, Spokane. But a building was sadly needed. and when, in 1894. Dr. Kingsbury and wife, of Bradford, Massachusetts. visited the field and were much impressed with it as a place for good work. and promised aid. the church seemed possible. In August 1894. a church was organized. Lots were bought and a building started. In May. 1895, a church, as conveniently equipped as any church of its size in the west was dedicated to God's service. Generous aid from the Church Building Society and the church in Bradford, Massachusetts, and self- sacrifice on the part of the members and friends made possible the substantial building and

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well-equipped interior. Through the instru- mentality of a "Chime Club" of young ladies a five-hundred-pound bell was obtained. The church was cared for by Rev. J. Edwards. who added to it the three he already served. aided one year by his eldest daughter. In April, 1897, Miss Rosine M. Edwards accepted a call and came from Pacific Theological Seminary, Oakland, California, to take charge. During her two years pastorate the side room was fin- ished and the library increased. In the spring of 1899 Miss Edwards resigned and Rev. F. C. Krause, of Fitchburg, California. accepted a call to become their pastor. A neat and convenient parsonage has been erected. All the organizations of the church are in a flourishing condition. As early as 1888, a school was organized and a chapel erected in Union Park, near Fourth avenue and Napi streets. The Sunday school has been sus- tained ever since, with occasional preaching.

Nine miles from Spokane, on a plateau of beauty and fertility, is Pleasant Prairie. Con- gregational work there began early, the church being organized in 1885. It was cared for by neighboring pastors and General Missionary T. W. Walters. Rev. J. B. Renshaw was called to the pastorate in 1889. He was fol- lowed by Rev. J. Edwards, who had charge of this work for six years in connection with Pilgrim church in Spokane. The church wor- shipped for several years in the Methodist church, and then in the school house, but in 1897 the present substantial frame structure was dedicated. The church has a membership ct seventy, and an efficient Christian Endeavor Society which conducts the evening service. Rev. F. C. Krause preaches here in connection witlı Hillyard, both churches being united in building a parsonage in the latter place.

At Trent, nine miles from Spokane, and the first station on the Northern Pacific rail- road east of Spokane, is a church organiza- tion since 1889. A Sunday school has been sustained under the leadership of Deacon S.

Esch, and the continual thoughtfulness of the family of J. A. Stegner. Preaching once a month has been given by the pastor at Pilgrim church, Spokane. At present the pressure of work on neighboring pastors has been such that it made it impossible to care for this field, but something better is hoped for soon.

At Cheney, the seat of the normal school, a church was organized in 1881 and cared for the first year by the pastor of the First church, . Spokane. In 1882 Rev. F. V. Hoyt came from Yale Seminary to become pastor at Cheney, where he was ordained and labored for four years. Mr. Hoyt is now the oldest resident Congregational pastor in the county.

At Cheney Mr. Hoyt organized the first Christian Endeavor Society in the county and probably in the state. The work has fluctuated considerably with the changes of the town, but it is now on a substantial basis. There are now sixty-four members under the pastor- ate of Rev. F. B. Doane and a large number of young people participate in the church serv- ices and work during the school year.

Medical Lake was one of the churches min- istered to by Father Eells in early days and was organized by him in 1883. His portrait is among the interior decorations of the church. Among many marks of his thoughtful gener- osity is the sweet-toned bell that sounds out its inviting notes over the lake each Sunday. The Medical Lake church has flourishied front the first and with its thirty-three members is now the third Congregational church in the county. In its early history it was cared for in connection with Cheney, but for several years it has supported a pastor on the field. Rev. J. D. Jones has ministered to it very ac- ceptably for six years. The church building is a very convenient structure on a prominent corner of the village and a pretty cottage is by its side for the use of the pastor's family. The church is the center of the social interests of the place and is an efficient factor for good in the community.

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In the heart of the pine woods, where the sound of the axe and saw are common sounds, and the busy mill turns out piles of lumber for the neighboring city, nestles the village of Deer Park. One of the first buildings to at- tract one's attention as he enters the place is the church whose welcome is voiced by its name, the "Open Door Congregational Church." One of the noblemen of the world, a mill-owner who cares for the spiritual needs of his workmen, is Mr. W. H. Short, the presi- dent of the Standard Lumber Company. Ably seconded in all his efforts by his family, he early began to plan for religious services in the place, holding them at first in the dining room of the boarding house, and later in the hall until the present pretty church was dedi- cated to God's worship. For a number of years this church has been ministered to by Rev. Frank McConoughy, and a loyal mem- bership of forty has gathered about him. The Christian Endeavor Society has been especially noted for its missionary efforts, contributing regularly for the support of a missionary in Africa.

Chattaroy, like many other fields, was cared for at first by the Sunday school mis- sionary, a Sunday school being organized and preaching services held regularly. In 1896 the church organization was perfected and the pastorate joined with Deer Park. In common with Trent, Chattaroy has no building, which is always a hindrance to the progress of the work, but it moves on bravely in spite of this need.

Since 1888, the Swedish people of Spo- kane have been carrying on the "Swedish mission," and doing it nobly, too. A large frame structure, with parsonage underneath, was erected in the eastern part of the city, and regular Sunday school and preaching services carried on. When the church was pastorless, one of the members after working hard all week talked to the people on Sunday. In 1898, recognizing the close resemblance between their

faith and that of the Congregational churches, the Spokane mission, in common with many others in the country, applied to the Congre- gational churches for fellowship. It was gladly admitted to the Eastern Washington Association, Rev. J. Hulien, graduate of the Swedish department of Chicago Theological Seminary, accepted a call to the pastorate and the work prospers greatly under his pastoral care. A membership of sixty and a large con- gregation responds to his work among them. One of the members writes this : "The mission friends were the first to start missionary work among the Scandinavians in Spokane. The sum- mer of 1887 a few Christian young men came from the east to Spokane, who gathered the people together in prayer-meetings in the house which they occupied. John Hagstrom, who was traveling in the west in the interest of the Swedish mission covenant, was the first to preach the word of God to them. The 28th of October, 1888, the church was organized under. the name of the Swedish Christian Mis- sion church. Its membership was thirteen, ten men and three women. The 29th of March, 1890, Rev. N. Lindquist, of Oakland, California. became pastor of the church and stayed until November, 1892. On account of hard times the church could not call a pastor after Lindquist left. But the church was blessed in having a man among them who could preach. He is Mr. John G. Johnson and he works for the Spokane Street Railway Com- pany as blacksmith in their power station. Mr. Johnson preached until Rev. O. Frank, from Sweden, came on a journey through America, who stayed as pastor of this church for three months. and Mr. Johnson preached again until October, 1895. Rev. A. Lidman was pastor for a very short time, leaving in April, 1896. After him came Rev. M. E. Anderson from Whitehall, Michigan. An- derson left May 1, 1897. Mr. Johnson again had to fill the pupit. December 1, 1898, Rev. John J. Hulien, from Chicago, arrived and

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is at present minister of the church. The Sunday school started its work the 7th day of May. 1889, and now counts eighty-five chil- dren. The church has for many years sus- tained its own missionary in China. April 12, 1898, the church was recognized by the Eastern Washington Congregational Association and the C. C. B. Society has granted one thousand dollars to pay the indebtedness on the build- ing. The church takes in only such as recog- nize the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ and abide in him. The object of this church is to work for the keeping of God's children in his favor, and in peace among themselves and also to win Scandinavian sinners for Jesus.

The Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society has had representatives in the field since 1885. visiting districts which have no religious services, organizing Sunday :schools and caring for them. Deacon G. R. Andrus, now of Tacoma, was the first Sunday school superintendent, residing at Cheney and traveling all over eastern Washington. After four years of faithful service he was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Singer, who made Spokane his home and traveled far and wide in the pursu- ance of his work. Many Sunday schools started by these workers have grown into flourishing churches. Mr. Singer resigned in 1898 to take charge of Sunday school work in northern California and the work in Spo- kane county is now in the efficient care of Mr. J. T. Percival, of Spokane. There are eight Congregational Sunday schools not connected with churches in the county. viz. ; Newman Lake, North Pine, Marshall, Harmony, Milan, Little Deep Creek, Orchard Peairie. South Chattaroy, having an aggregate membership of three hundred.

Christian Endeavor Societies liave flour- ished in the county since the first was organized at Cheney by Rev. F. V. Hoyt. The first Christian Endeavor Society in Spokane, organ- ized in the First Congregational church in

1888 by Rev. J. Edwards, it is interesting to note, was the five thousand and eighth in the United States. Mr. Edwards having organized the eighth at Scranton, Pennsylvania, six years before. Nearly all the Congregational churches in the county have Christian En- deavor Societies connected with them. Other work among the Congregational children and young people in the county is done by the Junior Christian Endeavor Societies, King's Daughters Circles, and other organizations. while scarcely a church is without its Ladies' Aid or Ladies' Missionary Society. Of the twelve Congregational churches in the county, ten have church buildings. and one Sunday school has a chapel. There are parsonages in five places, making the total value of church property about $101,000.

In 1895 The Spokane Congregational Club was organized with its object "to pro- mote the general interests of Congregational- ism and to encourage a more intimate acquaint- ance. and concert of action among the work- ing forces of our churches." The first meet- ing of the club was held in Westminster church on Forefathers' day, with an oration by Rev. William Davies, Spokane, and toasts by other members of the club. The club holds its annual meeting on or near Forefathers' day of each year, being entertained in turn by the Westminster. Second and Pilgrim churches of Spokane. The officers of the club are Rev. H. P. James, of Colfax. president : Mr. Fred Kiesling, of Spokane, secretary; Mr. W. H. Short. of Deer Park, treasurer : executive com- mittee. Revs. F. C. Krause. F. B. Doane. Will- iam Davies.

In this western land, where many have come in search of homes and prosperity. Con- gregationalism is thoroughly at home. The many sects and denominations represented often find that they can agree on the Congre- gational basis and so unite under one banner in small places where one church is sufficient and all that could be supported.

HON. W. E. RICHARDSON SPOKANE

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

The Evangelical Association commenced its operation in Spokane county in 1885. Rev. J .. Bowersox, presiding elder of the Oregon conference. in the month of January, 1885, visited most of our families who had moved into Spokane county, but were without a pastor. He succeeded in organizing a class at Spokane with eight members. at Rockford, with seven members and at Wild Rose Prairie, with six members. April 4. 1885. Rev. H. Schuknecht. of Nashville. Michigan, was appointed by the Board of Missions as missionary of Washing- ton Territory. He with his family arrived May 14. to take up the work in eastern Wash- ington. From this time on new mission fields were organized and supplied with missionaries according to the arrangements of the Associa- tion, until to-day there are five missions, served by four missionaries. Spokane mission, Rev. G. Seeberger : Wild Rose mission, Rev. J. W. Rinear; Medical Lake mission. Rev. W. D. Barnhart : Rockford mission, Rev. J. E. White- stien : Mica mission, Rev. J. E. Whitestien. There are four churches and three parsonages.

In 1896 the work in eastern Washington was detached from the Oregon conference and placed under the Board of Missions who ap- pointed Rev. H. Schuknecht as superintendent of Washington mission. The churches sustain missionary societies. Young Peoples' Alliances, women's societies. Sunday schools, all in a prosperous condition.

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SALEM CHURCH, SPOKANE.

The first Swedes settled in Spokane in 1886 and 1887. The church was organized the 25th of June, 1888. Rev. P. Carlson, at the time traveling missionary of the denomi- nation in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and pioneer of Swedish Lutheranism west of the Rockies, had visited Spokane about once a month the past year and on the above date

was able to organize with nineteen members. Rev. Carlson visited the church three times more that year. First part of 1889 a theo- logical student. S. G. Youngert, took charge of the work. Many Swedes came to Spokane. The congregation grew rapidly. A lot had been secured on the corner of Broadway and Walnut. free of debt. and a church building was erected for about four thousand dollars. Mr. Youngert served the church a year and a half. He was succeeded by Rev. C. P. Ryd- holm, who served as supply about a year and was then elected as the first ordained pastor of the church. As such he served only about three months. Then the church again had a supply. Student C. R. Chindblom, about a year and a half. He served very acceptably. In 1893 the present pastor. Rev. G. A. Ander- son, succeeded to the pastorate. The remark- able fact about this mission is that with the exception of the services of the founder and one hundred dollars from the Mission Board. three years later, it has been self supporting from the first. Still its members are by no means wealthy, nearly all being wage-earners. It now numbers about one hundred and forty communicant members and has a very fair church property with only about four hundred dollars debt.

GERMAN LUTHERAN.

The German Lutherans began work in this city twelve years ago, the first missionary preaching on Sunday afternoon in the Congre- gational church. The present church building on Third avenue was erected about ten years ago. Rev. P. Groschupf has been pastor for several years.

NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN.

The work began thirteen years ago,and the church on Washington and Sinto was erected in 1890. They have not been able to have a pastor all the time and the work has not made

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rapid progress. The present pastor is Rev. C. J. Olson.

SPOKANE METHODISM.

BY P. A. COOL, D. D.

The history of Spokane Methodism cannot all be committed to paper. Like the church of God in all ages, it has an unwritten history of hearts touched, souls inspired, influences started and propelled, that eternity alone can reveal. Particularly is this true as the foun- dations are put down upon which are now in rapid building the civil and religious institu- tions of the great Inland Empire.

Spokane lies in one of the richest centers of mountain ranges and valleys known on the continent, if not in the whole world. The picturesque scenery of the Rockies, the Cœur d'Alenes, the Cascades, including the valley's, lakes, rivers and falls, is all that the renowned Switzerland can furnish, and only awaits the pencil of the artist and the pen of the poet to tell it to the world. The forests, the fruits, the fields, the fisheries and the mines are here enveloped with the most salubrious climate possible.

Methodism came early into this paradise of beauty and plenty. The Columbia river conference was organized by Bishop Merrill, of Chicago, July 30, 1874, at Walla Walla, Washington, with Rev. Dr. H. K. Hines as secretary. There were six elders and one deacon, the bishop remarking that "the con- ference was inconveniently small." Rev. S. G. Havermale was appointed presiding elder of the territory that included Spokane.

In May, 1875, in company with G. W. Grannis, he made his first visit to this section of the state. When he arrived, he found "the falls" here and two white families where Spo- kane now stands-Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Glover, and Mr. and Mrs. Yeaton and their child. Mr. H. T. Cowley lived in the neighborhood east of what was then called Spokane. Religious services had been held for the Indians, but

Brother Havermale preached the first sermon to a white congregation, November 14, 1875, in a box house used for a residence just west of where the city hall now stands. Mrs. Yea- ton, who had brought an organ from her home in the East, played the organ and led the sing- ing

First Methodist Episcopal Church .- Mrs. S. G. Havermale came to Spokane in the win- ter of 1876-7. and was the fourth white woman to make her permanent home where this prosperous city of more than forty thou- sand people now stands. Brother and Sister Havermale still live in Spokane, and occupy their beautiful home in the north part of the city, where they cordially welcome their great circle of friends. They are still faithful mem- bers of the old First Church. Rev. J. H. Leard organized the first Methodist society, still known as the First Methodist Episcopal church of Spokane. The charter members ap- pear to have been: Rev. S. G. Havermale, Mrs. S. G. Havermale, Rev. J. H. Leard, Mrs. J. H. Leard, A. E. Ellis, Mrs. A. E. Ellis, Miss Ollie Ellis and Miss Ida Ellis. Brother Ellis was appointed class leader; this was in 1879. Brother Leard was in poor health, and in September, 1880, passed to his reward; Sister Leard still lives in Spokane and belongs to the First church.

The second pastor was Rev. M. S. Ander- son, who was appointed August 15, 1880. The list of preaching places outside of Spokane in- cluded Cheney, Crescent, Egypt ( which was twelve miles north of what is now Daven- port ), Mondova, Saltese Lake and Moran Prairie. The roads were long, the field was wide, and the workers few. The coming of Brother and Sister Parks and Sister Shannon at this time gave the pastor great encourage- ment. A lot was secured on the corner of Sprague and Washington streets, and the first church building erected. Brother Anderson's pastorate of two years marked great pros- perity in the history of the society.

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An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 27

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn Publication date: 1900 Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever Number of Pages: 888

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888