USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 30
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It having been discovered in 1853 that the board of trustees had never been incorporated under the laws of the territory of Washington, the quarterly conference di- rected that articles of incorporation should be prepared. B. L. and J. L. Sharpstein, attorneys, were employed to prepare incorporation papers, and on February 9, 1853, they were signed and acknowledged by the following board of trustees: Donald Ross, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, J. M. Hill, H. C. Sniff, H. C. Chew, E. Smith and G. H. Randall, and filed with the territorial auditor and the auditor of Walla Walla county. At the first meeting of this board of trustees they elected the follow- ing officers: J. M. Hill, president; Donald Ross, secre- tary; C. P. Headley, treasurer.
During the summer of 1887, the class, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Henry Brown, with the ladies of the church and the trustees, consisting of J. H. Parker, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, J. M. Hill, H. C. Sniff, H. C. Chew, G. H. Randall and E. Smith, under- took the building of a new parsonage, and with the bequest of five hundred dollars from the estate of our departed brother, E. Sherman, designated by him to be used for a new parsonage and 6596.47 raised princi- pally by the efforts of the ladies' parsonage com- mittee, a two-story, seven-room parsonage was erected on the grounds of the old parsonage, facing Poplar street, and this was turned over to the board of trustees free of debt and fairly well furnished.
During 1887, through the efforts of Rev. J. H. Wil- ber, a small church was built in the eastern part of the city and called Wilber Chapel. Brother W. J. White dona- ted a lot for that purpose, three hundred dollars being received from the church extension society, part of the balance being subscriptions from friends ; but the greater part being given by Rev. J. H. Wilber him, self. The church cost one thousand five hundred dollars, and was deeded to the trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Walla Walla: viz: J. H. Parker, J. M. Hill, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, H. C. Sniff, H. C. Chew, G. H. Randall and E. Smith. The church was sold to the German Lutheran society for the sum of one thousand six hundred dollars, on September 5, 1892 returning to the board of the church extension about four hundred dollars due them in principal and inter- est. The dedication of Wilber chapel was by Rev. N. E. Parsons, presiding eider, assisted by Rev. J. H. Wilber and Rev. Henry Brown. During 1894, the church under the leadership of Rev. V. C. Evers, the pastor, with the trustees, enlarged the present church by extending it to
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the north line of the property, increasing the seating capacity of the church with lecture room to five hundred and twenty-five persons.
Our church property at this time is free from debt and consists of:
One church building and lot, value, $11,500.00; one parsonage and fraction of lot, value, $2,000.00; total, $13,500.00.
The following are the names of the pastors at Walla Walla and time of service: 1859 to 1861, Rev. George M. Berry; 1861 to 1863, Rev. John Flinn; 1863 to 1865, Rev. William Franklin; 1865 to 1866, Rev. James Dear- doff; 1866 to 1867, Rev. John L. Reser; 1867 to 1869, Rev. John T. Wolfe; 1869 to 1870, Rev. C. H. Hoxie; 1870 to 1872, Rev. H. C. Jenkins; 1872 to 1873, Rev. J. W. Miller; 1873 to 1874, Rev. S. G. Havermale; 1874 to 1875, Rev. G. W. Grannis; 1875 to 1876, Rev. S. L. Burrell; 1876 to 1878, Rev. D. G. Strong; 1878 to 1880, Rev. W. G Simp- son; 1880 to 1882, Rev. G. M. Irwin; 1882 10 1883, Rev. A. J. Joslyn; 1883 to 1884, Rev. W. C. Gray; 1884 to 1885, Rev. J. 1). Flenner; 1885 to 1886, Rev. D. G. Strong; 1886 10 1889, Rev. Henry Brown; 1889 to 1892, Rev. W. W. Van Dusen; 1892 to 1896, Rev. V. C. Evers: 1896 to 1899, Rev. W. C. Reuter; 1899 to 1900, Rev. Lee A. Johnson.
The following are the names of the presiding elders of Walla Walla district, and time of service: 1859 to 1861, Rev. J. H. Wilber; 1861 to 1864, Rev. John Flinn; 1864 to 1866, Rev. Isaac Dillon; 1866 to 1869, Rev. J. B. Calloway; 1869 to 1870, Rev. W. H. Lewis; 1870 to 1874, Rev. H. K. Hines; 1874 to 1878, Rev. S. G. Havermale; 1878 to 1882, Rev. D. G. Strong; 1882 to 1885, Rev. W. S. Turner; 1885 to 1886, Rev. Levi L. Tarr; 1886 to 1888, Rev. N. E. Parsons: 1888 to 1892, Rev. D. G. Strong; 1892 to 1898, Rev. T. A. Towner; 1898 to 1900, Rev. M. H. Marvin.
At this writing Rev. Lee A. Johnson is pastor and Rev. M. H. Marvin is presiding elder. The membership of the church is now over three hundred.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was organized January 17, 1872, with Rev. Lemuel H. Wells, now bishop of the diocese of eastern Washington, first rector.
Services of the Episcopal church were held in Walla Walla as early as 1864 in churches of other denominations by Bishop Scott, of Portland, and Rev. T. A. Hayland. For a
year Rev. Lemuel H. Wells conducted services in the old court house, now the Star Brewery, corner of Alder and Third streets, when the present edifice was completed on the corner of Third and Poplar streets, at a cost of fifty-four hundred dollars. It is a cozy, comfortable building ; a happy exchange for the barren, un- attractive room occupied at first.
Rev. Mr. Wells' first congregations did not number more than a dozen persons, with not more than half of these Episcopalians, but the great-souled qualities of this pioneer disciple of St. Paul were as a magnet to the church, and that most appalling of all sights to a min- ister, "empty benches," was a state of affairs of short duration.
The court room in a short time was inad- equate to the wants of the church, and the com- fort of a church building was not a fact of as great importance as the necessity of more room. The seating capacity of the church is nearly three hundred and in its earliest days was often crowded to overflowing.
The Sunday-school, beginning with three or four children, increased in an equal ratio.to the church congregation. These little Christian soldiers were phenomenal workers and aided in many ways in furnishing the church, espe- cially did they contribute generously to the fund for buying the bell. Their Easter offer- ings sometimes exceeded one hundred dollars. Most of this was earned by the giver or was the result of some sacrifice on the part of the donor. Mr. Wells was rector for ten years, with the exception of one and one-half years, which time was supplied by Rev. J. D. McCon- key. Rev. Wells was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Lathrop, a gentleman well adapted to continue the good work his predecessor had so heroically taken 11p.
Those who have succeeded since then are
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Revs. MeEwan, Tichnor, Dr. Nevins White, Gośs, Dr. Law. Palmer, and Bard, the present rector.
The church has never enjoyed greater pros- perity than at the present time. Its financial condition is good, the vestry is composed of enterprising men, whose management of the church affairs is most satisfactory. The rector, Rev. AAndreas Bard, is young and enthusiastic, earnest in his work, of pleasing personality and high order of intellectuality, eminently fitted to increase the good work of the church. St. Paul's church considers itself the fortunate pos- sessor of the most able minister in the state.
The present building is uncomfortably crowded, and the erection of a large stone church is contemplated in the near future.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The following excerpt from a publication issued in 1894. entitled Manual of the First Congregational Church of Walla Walla, Wash- ington, gives a very complete history of this church from the earliest times to the date of its issue :
The story of the life of the First Congregational church of Walla Walla is not a story of uninterrupted ease on the part of its members, or of continuous suc- cess and steady advancement on the part of the organi- zation itself. It came into existence as the logical result of the most extraordinary efforts by its founders and it has lived only by the sacrifice and carnest prayer and labor of its members.
The first resident Congregational minister to settle in the state was Rev. Cushing Eells, better known to us as Father Eells, who entered the valley August 29, 1838, as a missionary to the Indians, and on that date the his- tory of our church commences, though no church organ- ization was formed for nearly twenty-seven years later. The history of the time between those dates is the his- tory of struggle, trial, privation, apparent failure, and abandonment of the field till 1860, when Father Fells returned to the valley and took possession of the Mission tarm, where he lived for a number of years, working on the farm, preaching, teaching and spreading the gospel in various ways.
In May, 1864, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain settled in Walla Walla for the purpose of occupying the field. This purpose he fulfilled by preaching occasionally in the Methodist church and by conducting a school. The growth of the school and the need of a place of worship led Mr. Chamberlain to buy ground and erect thereon a building for a school and for religious worship, a little west of the house now occupied by our good Deaconess Chamberlain. In this Congregational cradle the Con- gregational infant of Washington, rocked by Congrega- tional hands and fed on wholesome Congregational food, thrived until July 11, 1868, when the little church, which represented such great sacrifice on the part of its build- er, was destroyed by fire.
On January 1, 1865, the First Congregational church of Walla Walla, and the first in the state of Washington, was organized by Rev. Cushing Eells and wife, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain and wife, J. W. McKee and wife, and Edwin Eells, and the "Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the new church and to the other Christians present." The church grew slowly but stead- ily in numbers and strength, and when its place of wor- slup was destroyed had sufficient energy to immediately undertake the task of building a new structure. The result of its labors, augmented by generous contribu- tions from the citizens, we are now enjoying.
The society was incorporated January 16, 1869, by Cushing Eells, John B. Stowell, G. W. Somerindyke, Robert Thompson, P. B. Chamberlain and Edwin Eells, the first board of trustees being composed of G. W. Somermdyke, J. B. Stowell and Robert Thompson. Edwin Eells was the first church clerk. The church flourished for a year or two, till from the removal of members and other causes, its fortunes changed, and from 1:70 its cause waned and weakened, and in 1580 its doors were closed, to remain so until the arrival of Rev. N. F. Cobleigh mn the spring of 1882.
Interest was somewhat restored and the church prospered under his leadership for several years, until he was called to the missionary field of Eastern Wash- ington, The most notable official event during his pas- torate was the election of the first deacon of the church, Dr. A. J. Anderson, who was chosen to fill the office for three months,
Rev. Ezra Haskell succeeded to the pastorate July 8, 1894, soon after which the church seemed to receive a new inspiration and a new life, every member working vigorously and successfully for its interests. During this pastorate the amount subscribed for the pastor's salary by the church was raised from $40.0; to $60.00 per month, the amount asked from the missionary society being correspondingly reduced. It was during this pastorate, too, that the Christian Endeavor Society was formed, that valuable auxiliary to the church work being the result of special effort on the part of the pastor and the then few young peopleof the church. By reason of dis- agreement between the pastor and the church the spirit- ual health of the latter became impaired and the rela-
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tion of pastor and people ceased at the end of the second year.
On September 8, 1886, Rev. H. R. Foster, one of God's most gilted and consecrated servants, was called to the pulpit, but was compelled to resign because of ill health on June 20th of the next year. During this short pastorate the spiritual power of the church was increased most marvelously and it seemed to the members that God was indeed smiling on their efforts. However, this was but God's preparation for the future conditions.
In the early years of the pastorate of Rev. E. R. Loomis, who was next called to be our leader, the cause flourished to the great satisfaction of the members. Many important modifications were adopted during this period, notable among which were the adoption of the new con- stitution by the church; a reincorporation by which the women were given the privilege of becoming members of the corporate body; the relief of the missionary soci- ety from the burden it had so long, generously, and faith- fully borne; the formation of a Junior Endeavor Society; and the closer union of the church and Sunday-school. After the resignation of Mr. Loomis the pulpit was sup- plied by him for some time, and afterwards, for a few months, by Rev. Mr. Hague, of Maine.
The church was fortunate enough to have among its members several preachers who conducted the services until we were blessed by the arrival among us of our present pastor, Rev. E. L. Smith, whose labors speak for him and require no comments.
Here we are in the year 1894, as a strong man to run a race, well equipped for the work, earnest to do the Mas- ter's bidding, laboring for the salvation of souls and desirous of building up the Christian sentiment of the community in every way possible, but especially in the way of building a solid foundation and superstructure of Congregationalism in this part of the great Northwest.
It is only necessary to add that the hopes above expressed have been quite fully realized in the subsequent work of the church. Rev. E. L. Smith continued to minister unto the society until November, 1898, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Austin Rice, the present pastor. In 1899 an elegant new church edifice was erected on the corner of Palouse and Alder streets, and the same has been occupied as a place of worship since January 1, 1900. The present structure, by reason of its convenient and commodious basement, is peculiarly well fitted for building up the social life of the church. The Sunday-school, under the super- in:tendency of President S. B. L. Penrose, has
become one of the strongest in the town, having an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty. The present officers of the church are : Standing Committee, Daniel Burr, A. H. Reynolds, John Baker, Mrs. Isabel Kirkman, Mrs. Eva Williams and Miss Anna Hill; Trustees, WV. D. Lyman, II. A. Reynolds, F. J. McGougan ; Clerk, W. S. Clark; Treasurer, Jay Williams. The present total membership of the church is two hundred and twenty-three.
TIIE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On the 5th of January, 1873, was effected the organization of the First Cumberland Presbyterian church of Walla Walla, those primarily concerned in such organization being the Rev. Harrison W. Eagan and seven mem- bers, the original elders of the church being Joel Hargrove, J. M. Reed and W. B. Simon- ton. Mr. Eagan became pastor. of the new so- ciety and ministered to the church continuously until the Ist of January, 1882. During the decade of his pastorate more than two hundred members were received into the church, in whose affairs he continued to maintain a deep and lively interest long after the conclusion of his pastoral functions. He was succeeded by Rev. J. N. Crawford, who was in turn suc- ceeded by Rev. J. C. Van Patten. The Rev. W. W. Beck presided over the destinies of the society for two years, his pastorate having its inception in 1886, after which Rev. E. G. Mc- Lean, D. D., was pastor for five years, being succeeded by Rev. R. F. Powell, who retained the position two years, after which the church was placed under the pastoral direction of Rev. Duncan Wallace, who resigned the charge in September, 1900, removing to California. The present pastor of the church is Rev. G. A. Blair. The present membership of the church
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
is about two hundred. From the time of its organization the church has steadily grown not only in numbers but also in its influence for good. It has been signally awake to every moral and spiritual interest and its collateral organizations are active and beneficent, the same including the Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor, the Junior Endeavor and the Pilgrim and Missionary societies. The officers of the church at the present time are as follows: Ellers, W. P. Winans, N. F. Butler, J. W. Armstrong, W. S. Offner, Dr. N. G. Blalock, G. H. Sutherland and .A. M. Cation : deacons, 11. E. Johnson, George Star- rett. J. F. McLean. A. J. Evans, .1. J. Beard, P. M. Winans, Sam McBride, Marvin Evans and M. E. Brewer.
Recapitulating the history of this prosperous organization, we may say that services were originally held in the okl court house, which, at the expiration of a year, proved inadequate to accommodate the society, and the city hall was therefore brought into requisition. Recogniz- ing the exigent demand for a permanent house of worship, the society purchased a lot on the southwest corner of Third and Poplar streets and erected thereon, in 1876, the present church edifice at a cost of six thousand dollars. The building was dedicated on the 4th of January. 1880, being at the time free from indebtedness. It is worthy of note at this juncture. as in- dicative of the liberal and broad-minded at- titude of the citizens of Walla Walla, that the sum demanded for the erection of the church building was secured by general subscriptions in the city and that these contributions were niade without reference to religious affiliations, no aid from the missionary fund of the de- nomination being called for.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.
In the fall of 1878 the Christian church of this city had its beginning in the temporary organization of eight people, for the purpose of worshiping and teaching according to their belief. Then on March 31st of the following year a permanent organization of eleven mem- bers was effected. Judge N. T. Caton was chosen clerk of the congregation and within a year the number of members was increased te thirty-two persons. For some years the church had no regular minister, but was vis- ited occasionally by the Waitsburg pastor and by other ministers who by chance came this way. Brother Neal Cheetem was frequently here and was very helpful to the struggling little band of disciples. For some years after the organization the meetings were held from time to time in several of the older church buildings, which were very kindly tendered by their congregations. Then the old opera house was used for a short period. Later Baumeis- ter's hall was secured and used until the church moved into its own building, situated on Third street between Birch street and Stahl avenue. The organization was incorporated July 31. 1891, under the name of the First Christian church of Walla Walla, Washington, with S. C. Calvert, F. N. Bowman and William Pres- ton as the first trustees. Previous to the build- ing of the new church Neal Cheetem, J. H. Hollis, A. H. Foster, J. B. Johnson and R. H. Lotz served the congregation as pastors. After preaching his regular sermon on Lord's Day morning. September 20, 1891, Pastor Lotz an- nounced that Judge J. HI. Lasater offered the congregation a lot suitable for a church buikl- ing, providing the congregation would at once
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erect such a building. Steps were immediately taken to accept this liberal offer. A building committee composed of S. C. Calvert, chair- man, and F. M. Bowman, E. W. Thornton, B. W. Schell and William Preston, was ap- pointed, who were instructed to enter at once upon the work of raising funds and securing plans for the new church building.
A. C. Dickinson, of the Waitsburg congre- gation, very generously gave five hundred dol- lars in cash toward the fund, and the Church Extension Society of the Christian church gave a loan of one thousand dollars. These amounts with the liberal contributions of the members and friends of the church enabled the commit- tee to commence the building soon after the offer made by Judge Lasater. The plans were successfully carried out and the building com- pleted, and on April 2d of the following spring William F. Cowden, missionary in the northwest for the American Home Board of the Christian church, dedicated the commodious building now occupied by the congregation. Then with much enthusiasm the congregation began to increase its membership and repay the loan against its building. Again its friends and. members were true to it and liberal in their gifts, so at this time the debt has all been paid and the building in a good state of re- pair. The membership has steadily increased until there are now over two hundred and sev- enty-five members in good standing and full fellowship. J. B. Daisley, C. P. Smithi, J. F. Ghormley and O. J. Gist served as pastors in the order named since the dedication of the new building until January 1, 1897. Since that date the pulpit has been occupied by L. (). Herrold. The present board of trustees is composed of Messrs. C. I. Hall, Harry Lasater and D. W. Coward.
The church in its early years has endured
the usual struggles incident to starting and building a new work, but out of it all God has brought a strong and united church which looks forward with great hope for the future.
TIIE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Services according to the forms of the Baptist church were held in Walla Walla as early as 1870, by Rev. W. H. Pruett, but nearly a decade passed before a formal organ- ization was effected. Of the genesis and growth of the First Baptist church of this city the historical edition of the Walla Walla Union of August, 1896, speaks as follows:
"To attempt to write a history of a church now in the zenith of its glory is like trying to write the biography of a great and good man while he is still alive and in the prime of his usefulness. The history of the First Bap- tist church of Walla Walla is a history of trials and triumphs. This church, like most of the western churches in early days, had a hard struggle for existence. The Baptists were late in effecting an organization in this city, which caused a great deal of hard work and patience to obtain a foothold. Many of the prominent families of the city were Baptists and had belonged to Baptist churches in the east, but on coming to Walla Walla found no Baptist church organization, so joined churches of other denominations.
"On May 11, 1879, the First Baptist church of Walla Walla was organized, with five mem- bers, and Rev. J. L. Blitch, of Dixon, Cali- fornia, became the first pastor and served the church for a year and a half. . After remaining pastorless for several months the church ex- tended a call to Rev. D. J. Pierce, of Laramie. Wyoming, which was accepted. Mr. Pierce was well known on the coast, having served
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the First Baptist church of Portland, Oregon, previous to this. It was during the two years of Mr. Pierce's pastorate that the present church edifice was erected, at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars, not including the lot, which cost about two thousand dollars. With but twenty-seven members, Mr. Pierce commenced the work of building, and carried it through to completion. After leaving Walla Walla Mr. Pierce became pastor of the First Baptist church of Seattle. Rev. A. B. Banks, pastor of the First Baptist church of Laramie, Wyoming. succeeded Mr. Pierce as pastor. During the two years of Mr. Banks' pastorate the church continued to increase in member- ship and influence. . At the close of his pastorate the church extended a call to Rev. S. W. Beavan, during whose pastorate of a year and a half the church was greatly strengthened. Mr. Beavan was succeeded in his pastorate by his brother. Rev. J. H. Beavan, who served as pastor for five and a half years with great suc- cess. The church then extended a call to Rev. J. W. Neyman, but at that time it was not accepted. A call was then given to Rev. M. C. Cole, of New Orleans, which he accepted. Mr. Cole served the church as pastor for nearly three and a half years. This church has made a steady growth from the first. The church has always been liberal in its gifts to carry on mission work at home and in foreign lands. The property of the church is valued at about nine thousand dollars, including the parson- age."
At the beginning of the year 1896 the church again extended a call to the Rev. J. W. Neyman, who accepted. Under his pastorate. which terminated in 1898, the church showed a healthful growth in all branches of work, as well as in membership, and this has been signally true also during the regime of his
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