# Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders/Volume 1/Chapter 21

CHAPTER XXI.
1834—1910.
THE FIRST CHURCH.
The first church in North America, built for white people west of the Rocky mountains, was erected at Willamette Falls (now called Oregon City) in the year 1843—sixty-seven years ago. Jason Lee had established a Methodist mission up in the Willamette valley before that date, but had not built a church. It was erected by a committee acting for the subscribers to the building fund, composed of Governor George Abernethy, Robert Shortess, David Carter, Rev. A. Waller, and C. Rogers. The subscribers to the building fund were as follows:
George Abernethy $100
John Force, 100
Jason Lee, 50
A. F. Waller 50
L. H. Judson, 50
Elijah White, 50
J. L. Parish, 50
David Leslie, 50
W. H. Wilson, 50
A. E. Wilson 30
Robert Shortess, 30
James R. Robb, 30
S. Smith 25
W. H. Gray, 25
W. H. Pheiffer, 25
John McCord, 20
L. J. Hubbard, 20
Wm. C. Sutton, 20
G. W. Le Breton, 20
S. C. Pomeroy, 12
James O'Neill 10
Wm. Perry 10
J. E. Long, 10
A. Beers, 10
John Dabenbis 3 days' work
Joseph Yatter, 2 days' work
​This was a Methodist church building, and dedicated to the services of that denomination; but as Oregon City is within the purview of this history, the building is noticed here, and an engraving of it given on another page.
The first church building in Portland, and the first religious organization in Portland was erected by the Methodists and made by that denomination. When the first Methodist church was organized in Portland there were only ten Methodist ministers in Oregon. Rev. J. H. Wilbur was the first pastor of the First Methodist church in Portland. Mr. Wilbur was a very energetic character. With his own hands he cut down the big trees and grubbed out the great stumps and burned the logs, and brush on the block where Taylor Street Church now stands, and with his own hands to a very great extent, built the first church building in the city of Portland, and wholly painted it himself; being the old Methodist church which stood years ago on nearly the same spot that the large brick building at the corner of Third and Taylor streets now occupies. The bell now used in the church was purchased by Gen. Stephen Coffin to be donated to the first building erected for public uses; but none having been so erected, it was turned over to the Methodists for their church, and has now regularly called the faithful together every Thursday evening and every Sunday morning for more than sixty years.
EARLY HISTORY CONNECTED WITH FIRST CHURCHES.
The history is indebted to Mr. Himes for the following incidents, throwing the searchlight back for sixty years to the beginning.
After a half century it is difficult to find the address and occupation of the various members of the old choir who may be alive today.
Mrs. A. E. Chamberlain, who sang soprano, and played the melodeon, is still living, and resides at Walla Walla, Washington. Rev. P. B. Chamberlain, husband of Mrs. A. E. Chamberlain, was the first regular installed pastor, and was afterward transferred to Walla Walla and at which place he died several years ago.
Mrs. Celinda Shipley, soprano, was the wife of A. R. Shipley, who also sang in the choir. In 1852 Mrs. Shipley (then Miss Celinda Hines) was preceptress in the old Portland Academy and Female Seminary. One writer has said, referring to this school: "Among the institutions of the state and territory of Oregon, which greatly tended toward the advancement of education and good morals, none are remembered with more affection." On Nov. 17th, 1851, this institution was opened with Rev. C. S. Kingsley as principal of the school and his wife assistant. Miss Hines had charge of the school exhibitions and on one occasion composed the words of a song which was rendered by a class of the younger students. These exhibitions or exercises, were held at the Taylor street Methodist church. Miss Hines taught until her marriage to Mr. Shipley in 1854. Mrs Shipley is living in Portland with her son, Lester Shipley.
Mrs. Hiram S. Pine, soprano, removed from Portland to some point in eastern Oregon, and afterwards, we are informed, went to Buffalo, N. Y. So far as known she is alive today. When Mrs. Pine sang in the choir her husband taught in the Sunday school and it is thought she was also a teacher.
Mrs. Pine's husband was employed by A. H. Francis, a colored man who was proprietor of a leading store in Portland's early days. Francis had his "kinky" hair cut off and in its stead he wore a wig. He did this, it is supposed, to disguise himself. He resembled a Spaniard rather than one through whose veins coursed negro blood. In those days the lines were sharply drawn between those who favored the cause of the south and those who stood by the union. The sympathisers of the south were here in no small numbers, and, as a result this negro merchant felt that it would be less tropical and more congenial for him elsewhere. He therefore left Portland, and, became a resident of Victoria, B. C.
​Miss Helen Burton, soprano, is unmarried and living in Portland (June, 1910) in the old home on Burnside street. Miss Burton attended the old Portland Academy and graduated from that institution in July, 1861. Her father, E, M. Burton, was one of Portland's first architects. Mr. Burton was the architect for the Multnomah county court house. This building as first designed was symrnetrical and pleasing to the eye. It was, however, changed so often by alterations and additions as to lose its original identity. He was also the architect for the "Masonic Temple" building, northwest corner Third and Alder streets, and the Breeden building, northeast corner Third and Washington streets. There are also buildings in Salem, Seattle and other cities in Oregon and Washington wbJrh attest to the skill of this pioneer architect.
Miss Lenora Blossom, soprano, was a daughter of the pioneer merchant, James M. Blossom, of the firm of Northrup (E. J.) & Blossom, these gentlemen being the immediate successors to the first hardxmre firm established in Portland. Their place of business was situated on the northwest corner of Front and Yamhill streets, and at which location Nelson Northrup (E. J.'s father) first opened a little store in 1851, and where business was conducted by the firm for many years. The business has continued uninterruptedly to the present day, and as an outgrowth of this old firm, we have the present one, known over the entire northwest, the Honeyman Hardware Company. Miss Blossom was a student in the Portland Academy, and together with Rebecca Greer, Elizabeth Carter (who afterward married Governor L. F. Grover) and Samuel A. Moreland, composed the graduating class of 1862.
Miss Blossom married Judge J. J. Hoffman, and died in New York city, August 29, 1883, and was laid to rest in the congressional cemetery at Washington, D. C.
Miss Elizabeth A. Failing, soprano, was a daughter of Josiah Failing. "In the days of old" Mr. Failing was prominent in public school affairs. He was a school director when the late ex-Governor Pennoyer taught in its schools, and he has been termed one of the fathers of Portland's public schools. The "Failing School" was named for him. Miss Failing married John Connor, a merchant of Albany, Oregon, who afterward became a banker in the same city. Mrs. Connor died suddenly, May 2, 1884, while visiting her brother, Henry Failing, at Portland, Oregon. This worthy daughter and wife is sleeping in Riverview cemetery near Portland.
Miss Mary L. Millard, soprano, was a daughter of Dr. Justin Millard, one of the first physicians of Portland. She was a student in the Portland Academy, but did not graduate. There was evidently a "touch of romance" in this famous organization, for we find that in 1861 Miss Millard became the wife of Capt. H. L, Hoyt, one of the choir's tenors.
Mrs. Hoyt was a great sufferer for many years, but was supremely patient through it all. She died April 16, 1902, much beloved by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and is buried in Riverview.
Mrs. Alonzo Leland, the lone alto, had a phenomenal voice. Her tones were of a resonant character and full of sweetness and purity as well. What the alto lacked numerically was compensated for in volume and purity of tone.
On June 21, 1853, John O. Waterman was appointed postmaster of Portland. He retained the position until October 12, 1853, at which time Alonzo Leland was made his successor. Both of these appointments were made by President Pierce, James Campbell being postmaster-general. Mrs. Leland was assistant postmaster. The postoffice was then located on the second floor of a two-story frame building, situated on the east side of Front street near Stark. Mr. Leland was also editor of the "Democratic Standard." In the early history of Portland, and before the advent of the telegraph made it possible for the "Associated Press" to disseminate its news, the editors of opposing political papers were engaged continually in violent controversies. We can imagine but dimly the vast amount of gray matter and energy gone to waste over the "political issues of the day." ​Mrs. Leland afterward married a Captain Andrews, and lived in Walla Walla until her death, which occurred some five or six years ago. Mrs. Leland was an estimable woman and had many warm friends in Portland.
Captain Henry L. Hoyt was engaged in steamboating on the Willamette and Columbia rivers for many years; he served as city marshal for a number of terms; he was deputy collector of customs under F. N. Shurtleff; he also held the office of U. S. shipping commissioner, and was always considered one of Portland's substantial citizens. Captain Hoyt died in Portland July 27, 1898, and is buried in Riverview.
E. S. Penfield, another sweet-voiced tenor, came from San Francisco to enter the employ of a prominent firm, McKee & Co. Mr. McKee was superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Congregational church at this time (1856-7); subsequently went to The Dalles, and in September, 1859, was a charter member of the First Congregational church at that place, and is now living near Canyon City, Grant county, Oregon.
Henry Law, an uncle of the late Henry Failing, at the time of the organization of this choir, was engaged in the commission business for himself. He died October 5, 1865, and is interred in the old Lone Fir cemetery.
Harley McDonald had a fine bass voice. He, like Mr. Wyatt, began the study of music when a mere lad. Mr. McDonald assisted in the capacity of carpenter and builder, in the construction of the church edifice in which the first meetings were held by the First Congregational church of Portland. This building was commenced in 1850 and finished some time in 1851. It was situated on the northwest corner of Second and Jefferson streets, Rev. Horace Lyman in charge.
Mr. McDonald was a promoter and part owner of Portland's first brick yard. This yard was located in a "clearing" near the present city hall building. Fifth and Jefferson streets; i. e., in this vicinity—there were no streets then—simply a "cleared" spot in the forest.
Mr. McDonald was also the architect and builder of the First Congregational church at Forest Grove, Oregon. There being no planing mills in the vicinity of Forest Grove at this time, all of the sash and door work, the pews and the pulpit were made by hand. He also sang in the choir of this church. An incendiary fire destroyed this old historic structure, July 18, 1901. In 1865 Mr. McDonald had charge of the Congregational choir at Salem, Oregon. He died, after many months of suffering, at Mt. Tabor, near Portland, on July 29, 1902, and was buried in the cemetery at Forest Grove, Oregon.
T. Brooks Trevett had a splendid bass voice, and he was an enthusiastic singer. He was always pleased to assist in oratorios and public concerts. Mr. Trevett was an excellent hardware salesman. For many years he was connected with the old firm of Corbett & Failing, later Corbett, Failing & Robertson. Afterward he entered the employ of the Honeyman Hardware Company, with which he was associated at the time of his death March 7, 1901, and buried in Lone Fir cemetery.
Adam R. Shipley had an excellent bass voice and was a thorough musician. Before coming to Oregon he was a member of a quartette of mixed voice, which acquired fame in the eastern states as "The Ohioans" and travelled throughout the country giving concerts.
In Portland's democratic halcyon days, Mr. Shipley was postmaster under two administrations, i. e., Presidents Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. He was a popular man and held the office from his appointment by President Pierce November 4, 1854, until succeeded by Herman W. Davis, a republican, who was appointed May 21, 1861, by Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Shipley was also in the stationery and book business, and had for a partner the Rev. C. S. Kingsley. This business, except for several changes in ownership, has been continued up to this time; the well known firm of J. K. Gill & Co. being the present owners of what is now the oldest established book and stationery store on the Pacific coast.
​Mr. Shipley always took an active interest in the cause of education, and in later years he became a member of the board of regents of the Oregon Agricultural College. He resided in Corvallis until his death July 14, 1893, and was buried in the cemetery at Oswego, Oregon.
Thomas A. Savier was something of a musician, played the flute for the choir, and was one of Portland's pioneer merchants. In 1853 he and D. W. Burnside did a large jobbing business. Their store was then located at the southwest corner of Washington and Front streets. In later years they established a flouring mill at Oregon City. Mr. Savier died March 22, 1876, and was buried in Lone Fir cemetery.
Miss Sarah Abrams was the daughter of W. P. Abrams, who, in partnership with Cyrus A. Reed in the winter of 1849, constructed and operated the first steam sawmill in the northwest (i. e., Oregon, Washington and Idaho). This mill was located in Portland, on the west side of the Willamette river, between Jefferson and Madison streets. In these days logs were not rafted 20, 30 or 75 miles; such a proceeding was unnecessary, as the "raw material" was within a stone's throw of this mill—giant fir trees were cut on Front, First, Second and Third streets. In December, 1854, this old "pioneer" mill was destroyed by fire.
Miss Abrams was a good musician and played the melodeon; was a student of the old Portland Academy, graduating in April, 1861. There were two other graduate classmates, viz., Miss Anna Pentland (who married Samuel L. Brooks,now of The Dalles) and James W. Poe. "Jim" Poe, as he was familiarly called in after years, became "Hon." After his graduation, Mr. Poe took up his residence in Lewiston, Idaho, and became one of the leading lawyers of the "panhandle" section of that state.
Miss Abrams afterward married H. A. Hogue, a pioneer lumber and mill merchant. Mrs. Hogue (mother of H. W. Hogue, attorney), after the death of her husband, made a trip abroad, and after visiting many foreign lands, is content to call Portland her home, and in which city she now resides.
J. B. Wyatt, the popular and talented conductor, comes last in this chronicle, but he is by no means least. He is now residing in Vancouver, Washington.
Mr. Wyatt has had a long and varied experience in the musical world. When only 18 years old, he began his career as a conductor, and for 47 years he sang and successfully filled this important position.
Mr. Wyatt left his home in Vermont in the fall of 1849, destined for the gold mines of California, traveling by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He arrived at the mines in the spring of 1850, locating on the North Uba river. On account of failing health, his physician advised a change of climate and recommended Oregon. He at once started for that state, arriving in Portland in the fall of 1850. Remained here but a short time, his destination being a farm near Hillsboro.
We next find Mr. Wyatt leading a choir of school children in a log church at West Tualitin, now Forest Grove, in 1852-53. These children were scholars in the Tualitin Academy. A collegiate department was afterward added in January, 1854, called Pacific University. The Rev. Harvey Clark, an independent missionary to the Indians, was pastor of this log church, and J. M. Keeler was principal of the school. Mr. Wyatt also taught music in this school.
In 1856 Mr. Wyatt returned to Portland and soon after entered the employ of Allen & Lewis; this firm is the oldest wholesale grocery establishment in Portland, and its business has remained in one family from its inception in 1851 until now. When C. H. Lewis died in 1897 his son Allen became the recognized head of the firm.
The last Sabbath that Mr. Wyatt sang with the choir, before leaving Portland, was an eventful one. The church was full of people. There were two ministers in the pulpit with the Rev. Chamberlain. The choir was in excellent ​form and sang splendidly. The last hymn was in the old "Plymouth Hymn Book.":
"Day of judgment, day of wonder, hark! the
Trumpet's awful sound; Louder than a thousand thunders, shake
The vast creation round. How the summons will the sinner's heart confound."
One of the ministers with Mr. Chamberlain pronounced the benediction, and as he extended his hands, said: "May that choir sing in heaven!" This was "too much" for many of the choir and congregation, and handkerchiefs were soon in evidence. And so ends Mr. Hime's account of the musicians.
PROGRESS OF THE CHURCHES DOWN TO 1890.
The progress of the churches by consecutive pastorates is given only down to 1890; for the reason that the present church authorities seemed unwilling to furnish any information for this work. A circular letter was sent to all the churches requesting information, and but one of them (the Presbyterian) made any response to it.
Reviewing the progress of the Portland churches from their several foundations down to 1890, Mr. Scott in the first history of Portland (1890), says: "The Taylor Street church is the strongest, both in members and means, among the Methodist churches in Oregon. It has over 500 members, and is the largest contributor to benevolent objects and mission works in the Oregon conference. The following ministers have served this church from the beginning of its history to the present time: J. H. Wilbut, 1848-9; J. L. Parrish, 1849-50; J. H. Wilbur, 1 850- 1; C. S. Kingsley, 1851-52; H. K. Himes, 1853; P. G. Buchanan, 1854; Wm. Roberts, 1855-6; D. Rutledge, 1857; W. S. Lewis, 1858-9; I. Dillon, 1 860- 1; D. Rutledge, 1862-4; B. C. Lippincott, 1865; C. C. Stratton, 1866-7; J. H. White, 1868; Wm. Roberts, 1869-70; George W, Izer, 1871-3; Robert Bentley, 1874-5; C. V. Anthony, 1876-7; J. H. Acton, 1878-80; George W. Izer, 1881-83; G. W. Chandler, 1884-5; W. M. Mullinix, 1886; J. W. Alderman, 1886. The present pastor, Rev. Alfred Kummer, came in September, 1887.
St. Paul's M. E. church was organized in 1869. The first pastor was Rev. A. C. Fairchild. The house of worship used by the congregation of this church is located on the corner of Hall and Sixth streets. The present membership is one hundred and twenty. The pastors who have officiated in this church in order of service have been A. C. Fairchild, Wm. Roberts, T. F. Royal, W. C. Catlin, John F. Flynn, M. Judy, H. K. Himes, G. M. Pierce, J. W. Klepper and the present pastor, C. E. Cline.
The Centenary M. E. church of East Portland was organized in 1867, and has a membership of two hundred and thirty-eight persons. The first pastor was Rev. J. N. Dennison. Rev. J. W. Bushong is the present pastor.
Grace M. E. church was organized in April, 1884, at which time several members withdrew from the Taylor Street Church to perfect the organization. Rev. E. W. Caswell was assigned to the new society, under whose labors a neat chapel was built at the corner of Eleventh and Taylor streets. The society grew rapidly and soon numbered among its members many of the most prominent citizens of Portland. The quarters first erected soon became too small for the large congregations which gathered at the chapel, and the erection of the present church edifice on the corner of Tenth and Taylor streets was begun, and was completed at a cost of $55,000 and dedicated on December 15, 1889.
The German M. E. church was organized in 1880. A church edifice has since been erected at the comer of North Eighth and D streets, where services are conducted in the German language. Rev. Frederick Bohn was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Sinclair. Rev. Frederick Bohn again be​came pastor in 1885, serving until 1888, when Rev. George Hartung, the present pastor, succeeded him.
The Norwegian-Danish M. E. church was organized in November, 1882, by Rev. C. J. Larsen and fifteen members. At that time meetings were held in a chapel on Third street. Great interest was awakened by these services, and but a short time elapsed until a lot was purchased by the congregation on the corner of Twelfth and D streets, where a neat and commodious church has since been erected. Rev. C. J. Larson still officiates as pastor.
The Methodists have been foremost in the establishment of mission branches of this denomination in the vicinity of Portland during recent years.
The East Portland M. E. church, organized in October, 1887, with a new house of worship on the corner of Tenth and Adams streets, dedicated in February, 1890, is the outgrowth of their work in this direction. The Albina M. E. church, corner of Russell and Kirby streets, is also of recent growth. Both of these churches are presided over by Rev. G. M. Pierce, under whom they are enjoying great prosperity. For several years a Chinese mission has been sustained, of which Rev. Andrew J. Hanson is superintendent.
The Zion M. E. church, corner of Main and Eleventh streets, was built in 1881, and is a house of worship for the Africans of Portland. At present no regular pastor is stationed over this congregation, and services are only occasionally held.
In membership the Methodists outnumber any other religious denomination in Portland except the Catholics. At the annual state conference of 1889, the number of members belonging to the Taylor Street, St. Paul's and Grace churches of Portland, the Centenary and Adams Street churches of East Portland, and the Albina church was reported as 1,340.
THE CATHOLICS.
The Catholics followed the Methodists in point of time in the establishment of churches in Oregon. As early as the winter of 1839-40, they erected a church at Champoeg, in the Willamette valley, although for some years previously they had been steadily making converts to their faith among the Indians. In 1838 Rev. F. N. Blanchet and Rev. Modeste Demers were appointed by the archbishop of Quebec as missionaries to the Pacific coast country, the former as vicar-general. For four years they toiled alone in their mission field which extended from the Pacific coast to the Rocky mountains, between the California boundary and the northern glacial sea. They were then joined by other laborers in religious work, and from that time the Catholic faith has been upheld by able and conscientious workers.
The first movement toward the erection of a Catholic church in Portland was commenced in the fall of 1851, at which time Rev. James Croke was authorized by Archbishop Blanchet to solicit donations for the purpose. About $500 was secured through subscriptions from residents of Portland, with which half a block of ground was purchased from Capt. J. H. Couch, somewhere in the vicinity of Sixth and D streets, and the building commenced.
During the erection of the church, the few Catholics who were then in Portland used to assemble at the residences of Catholic families until the completion of the little sacristy at the end of the church, where for the first time midnight mass was celebrated at Christmas, 185 1. By February, 1852, the work was sufficiently advanced to have the building dedicated, the services being performed by Archbishop F. N. Blanchet, assisted by Very Rev. J. B. Brouillet, vicar-general of Nesqualy and Rev. James Croke, pastor. The edifice itself at this time was a mere shell, the inside walls being covered with cotton cloth, and the sanctuary and altar with Chinese matting.
The church remained on the original site until 1854, when it was moved to the site now occupied by the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, on the cor​ner of Third and Stark streets (1890). Here the building remained for the next ten years without change. When, in 1862, the Most Rev. Archbishop Blanchet removed from Oregon City to Portland, this humble church became the proc-athedral. In October, 1863, Very Rev. J. F. Fierens, V. G., was appointed to take charge of the pro-cathedral. By this time the congregation had so increased as to require a larger building. Under Vicar-General Fierens, two wings were added to the main building, which were completed in the fall of 1864, the first service in the enlarged church being celebrated on Christmas day at that year. Seven years later it again became necessary to enlarge the building to meet the needs of the congregation. This was accomplished between August and October, 1871. During the next seven years the Catholic population of Portland had so increased that it was found necessary to erect a larger building. The old edifice was removed and in its place was built a gothic structure fronting on Stark street. It was dedicated in 1882. Very Rev. J. F. Fierens, V. G., has been pastor of this church since 1862, but for several years past he has had from one to two assistants. The present assistants are: Rev. Edward O'Dea and Rev. J. Northman. Rev. Edward O'Dea has since been appointed bishop of Seattle, and is a very able and useful administrator of the church.
Since 1862, Portland has been the residence of the archbishop of the diocese of Oregon. Archbishop Blanchet continued in charge of the diocese until his death in 1885, when the Most Rev. Wm. H. Gross was appointed, and Gross was succeeded by Archbishop Christie.
The cathedral of the Immaculate Conception remained the only Catholic house of worship in this vicinity until 1874, when St. Francis' church in East Portland was built. On January 9, 1882, this church, which stood on the corner of Eleventh and J streets, was blown down by the memorable storm of that date, after which the present edifice was built on the same site. Rev. L. Verhaag is pastor of this church.
The next Catholic house of worship erected was the Church of St. Lawrence, on the corner of Third and Sherman streets, built in 1883. In 1886 St. Joseph church, on the corner of Fourteenth and C streets, was built; and in 1888 St. Patrick's on S street, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets, and the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Albina. In the Church of St. Joseph, the services are conducted in the German language. The pastors of the churches last mentioned are as follows: Church of St. Lawrence, Rev. B. Orth; St. Patrick's, Rev. P. Gibney; Church of St. Joseph, Rev. Dr. Albert Sommer; Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rev. G. B. Van Lin. According to the best authority, the present (1890) Catholic population of Portland and vicinity is between 7,000 and 8,000.
THE CONGREGATIONALISTS.
The first Congregational minister in Oregon was Rev. Harvey Clark, an independent missionary, who organized a church in Oregon City in 1844. In 1847 the American Home Missionary Society sent Rev. George H. Atkinson and wife to labor in Oregon. In the early part of 1848 Mr. Atkinson held two services in Portland, one in a log shingle shop, and the other in an old warehouse, the congregation crowding in among bales and boxes of goods. Occasional services were afterward held by Mr. Atkinson and Revs. Harvey Clark and C. Eells.
In November, 1849, Rev. Horace Lyman and wife arrived. Mr. Lyman had been sent out by the Home Missionary Society in 1847, but remained at San Jose, California, one year engaged in teaching. After his arrival in Portland he at once began the work of building up a church. In 1850, one of the town proprietors, D. H. Lownsdale, gave the ground, and the citizens made liberal donations to carry out the project. With this assistance, Mr. Lyman began the erection of a church building at the south end of Second street. Much of the manual labor connected with the task was performed by this zealous minister, and so hard did he work that he fell ill from over-exertion. He soon, however, ​
rallied and prosecuted the work with such vigor that the building was completed and dedicated June 15, 1851. Revs. George H. Atkinson, J. S. Griffin and Har- vey Clark assisted Mr. Lyman in the dedication ceremonies. The building was 32x48 feet in dimensions, had a belfry and a small spire, and cost $6,400. Mr. Lyman was pastor for four years and a half, when he removed to Dallas. For a year and a half thereafter Rev. George H. Atkinson officiated as pastor, but continued during this period to reside at Oregon City. In November, 1855, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain was installed pastor. During his pastorate, which cov- ered a period of over five years, a large number of the congregation withdrew to form another Congregational church, as had been the case during Mr. Ly- man's pastorate, but both movements vv^ere unsuccessful. When Mr. Chamber- lain's labors closed in March, 1862, the church was in a very weak condition, and for more than a year thereafter was without a settled pastor.
In July, 1863, Rev. George H. Atkinson became pastor, and under his labors many were added to the church. In 1870, the old house of worship became too small for the congregation, and the church building that for many years stood on the corner of Second and Jefferson streets, was begun. It was finished in the following year and first used on August 6, 1871. During the labors of Dr. At- kinson, which continued until December, 1872, the church made substantial prog- ress, and was placed on a firm basis.
Dr. Atkinson was followed by Rev. J. D. Eaton, who remained until May, 1876, when he resigned to enter another field. For a year and a half thereafter. Rev. J. H. Acton of the Methodist church, supplied the pulpit. In April, 1877, Rev. J. A. Cruzan became pastor. He was succeeded by Frederick R. Marvin in 1883, who remained there some years, when Rev. T. E. Clapp assumed charge of the congregation.
During Dr. Atkinson's pastorate, Plymouth Church congregation was organ- ized, in 1871, and soon after the present church building on the corner of Four- teenth and E streets was erected. For some years Dr. Atkinson officiated at both churches, but in 1880 Rev. E. P. Baker assumed charge of the Plymouth congregation. The latter remained but a short time, and since that time the fol- lowing pastors have been stationed at different times over this church : Revs. E. R. Loomis, George H. Lee, George H. Atkinson and Ezra Haskell, and Rev. C. T. Whittlesey.
The Mount Zion Congregational church was also established through the efforts of the members of the First church. It was organized in 1879, ^^'^ <^'"i'" ing its early existence was almost wholly dependent on the First church.
THE EPISCOPALIANS.
The first Episcopal clergyman who came to Oregon was the Rev. St. M. Fackler. He crossed the plains in the year 1847, '^^ search of health. The first services of the church, of which we have any record, were held by him in Oregon City, in 1847. His health continuing poor, however, he made no effort to estab- lish anywhere any stated services or to organize a parish.
It was not until 185 1 that any definite steps were taken by the church in the east to send a missionary to Oregon. In April of that year. Rev. William Rich- mond, of the diocese of New York, was sent to Oregon, and on Sunday, May 18, together with Mr. Fackler, he held services in the Methodist house of wor- ship in Portland. Some ideas of the newness of the country and of the hard- ships endured by the missionares at that time may be gathered from the follow- ing extract from a letter written by Mr. Richmond shortly after his arrival in Portland : 'T occupy a room in a shanty, merely clapboards, quite open to the air. with a rough, unplaned, ungrooved floor, no carpets, no plastering, no ceil- ing. For this I pay twelve dollars a month, three dollars (fifteen was the price) having been deducted on account of my mission. I also do my own cooking, ​
and gather my own wood out of the forest behind me; yet my expenses will be as great as in a good boarding house in New York."
At the conclusion of his first service in Portland, May i8, 185 1, Mr. Richmond organized Trinity parish, it being the first parish organized in the diocese of Ore- gon and Washington. From that time until the arrival of Rev. John McCarthy, D. D., of the diocese of New York, who, in January, 1853, as chaplain in the army, came to Fort Vancouver, Mr. Fackler at stated times held services in Trinity parish. There were only about two or three families connected with the church. On his arrival, Dr. McCarthy was persuaded to take charge of the work here in connection with his chaplaincy at Vancouver.
In October, 1853, ^^^- Thomas Fielding Scott of the diocese of Georgia, was elected missionary bishop of Oregon and Washington, and arrived in Portland in April, 1854, to enter upon his new field of labor. The first church erected in Trinity parish was consecrated by Bishop Scott, September 24, 1854. It stood on the northwest corner of Third and Oak streets, and was the first church building of this denomination consecrated on the Pacific coast.
In 1867, Trinity parish bought a half block on the corner of Sixth and Oak streets, upon which the present church building (1890) now stands. The corner- stone of this building was laid on April 25, 1872, but the edifice was not com- pleted until the following year.
Upon the creation of the diocese of Oregon and Washington, Portland be- came and has since remained the headquarters of the diocese. Bishop Scott, al- though his labors extended over a vast field, resided at Portland and did much to strengthen and build up Trinity parish. He died in New York city in 1867, whither he had gone for the benefit of his wife's health. His genial manners and his marked ability as a preacher, won for him the afifection and commanded the respect of all who had ever heard him preach, or who had been personally acquainted with him. He did much for the church during its darkest days in this portion of the northwest, while his labors in behalf of education have since borne abundant fruit. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. B. Wistar Morris, D. D., in June, 1869. For several years thereafter the diocese continued to embrace Oregon and Washington, but during late years, Oregon has been a separate dio- cese, over which Bishop Morris still presides (1890).
The following are the names of the clergymen who have officiated in Trinity parish from time to time, since its organization to the present day: 185 1 and 1856, Rev. William Richmond, Rev. St. M. Fackler, Rev. John McCarthy, Rt. Rev. Thomas Fielding Scott, D. D., and Rev. Johnston McCormac; 1856, the bishop, Rev. James L. Daly, and Rev. John Sellwood ; 1857 to i860. Rev. John Sellwood, Rev. Carlton T. Mapes and Rev. Peter E. Hyland; 1861 to 1865, Rev. Peter E. Hyland; 1866 to 1871, Rev. William Stoy; 1871 to present time. Rev. R. D. Nevius, Rev. George Burton, Rev. George F. Plummer, Rev. George W. Foote and Rev. Thomas L. Cole, the last named being the present rector (1890).
In the year 1863, St. Stephen chapel, on the corner of Madison and Fourth streets, was completed and opened for service, thus affording two places where Episcopal services were conducted in Portland. It was projected and built at his own expense by Bishop Scott. Rev. John Sellwood was the first rector. In 1870 Rev. John Rosenberg became rector and has ever since, to 1890, discharged the duties of pastor.
The parish connected with St. Matthew's chapel was formed in 1885, and has a commodious church edifice on the corner of First and Caruthers streets. Rev. B. E. Habersham has been rector ever since the parish was organized.
Trinity mission chapel is of recent origin, and for a time was under the charge of the bishop of the diocese. A chapel has been built on the northeast corner of Eighteenth and Q streets. For some time Rev. Wm. MacEwan has been rector.
St. David's Episcopal church parish. East Portland, was formed in 1871, and in December of that year the first services were held by Rev. J. W. Sell​
wood Rev. C. R. Bonnell assumed charge of the congregation in 1872, and re- mained about a year. For a time Rev. James R. W. Sellwood officiated. He was followed in 1874 by Rev. Arthur W. Wrixon, who continued rector for seven years, when Rev. J. W. Sellwood took charge of the work. The church numbers one hundred and eighty-five communicants, and is m a prosperous con- dition.
THE BAPTISTS.
The first Baptist church on the Pacific coast was organized at West Union Washington county, Oregon, May 25, 1844. Two years later the .^rst Baptist meeting house was built at this point. From 1844 to 1848, Rev Vincent Snell- ing Elders Hezekiah Johnson, Ezra Fisher and Porter ministered to the congre- gation. In 1848 the Willamette Baptist Association was organized, at which time there were six churches in the state. . u • id 4.
In i8so the first steps toward the organization of a Baptist church in Port- land were taken. In this year Hezekiah Johnson secured from Stephen Coffin he donation of a half block, corner of Fourth and Alder streets, upon which the First Baptist church was erected, and where the Honeyman Hardware store now stands. Five years later a church organization was perfected with ten members. Rev. W. F. Boyakin was chosen pastor and Josiah Failing deacon. The church was unfortunate in the choice of a pastor, and in i860 only three members remained. With the hope of reviving the church, the Willamette As- sociation appealed to the American Baptist Mission Society to p ace a mission- ary in the field. In response to this request. Rev. Samuel Cornelius, D. D was sent "o labor in Portland. He arrived in June, i860, and on the firs Sunday in Mv preached in the Methodist church. A public hall on First street was after- ward secured where regular meetings were held until January, 1862, when the basement of the present church was so far completed as to be used for religious
'^'"in'september, 1864, Dr. Cornelius returned to the east, leaving a member- ship of fSty-nin; persins. During the next two years the church was withou a pastor! December 27, 1866, Rev. E. C. Anderson arrived to take charge of
'^"MTrch^, 1867, the society was incorporated, and in January, 1870, the church edifice was completed and dedicated. Mr. Anderson completed his labors De- cember, 1870, after which a pastoral vacancy of nearly eighteen months oc-
'""On the second Sunday in June, 1872, Rev. Henry Ledbury began his pas- torate The church soon after became self-supporting, and under Mr xMed Ws' guidance he first mission work of the church was begun. A Sunday burys gumance, y"^ ^ ' Portland- land purchased there for a church, and
?re::L:rseTv1S we e fo ome le mainlaLed by Rev, Addison Jones. The ^Tsston fchool in Stephen's addition, and the Chinese m.ss.on were soon after
^-^'-fhe'f St Baptist congregation is now 8^)^ne of the^agest in^the city, within or near the vicinity of Portland, nas oeen ​iiucid y
gregation. In 1874, a Baptist mission school was founded in Stephen's addition, East Portland. This was the first attempt at home mission work by the congre- gation. Four years later twenty-two members from the First church were dis- missed to form the First Baptist church of East Portland, and about the same time a chapel in Stephen's addition was dedicated.
The Emanuel Baptist church is the outgrowth of the Meade street mission, established early in 1884. In May, 1886, a chapel was erected on the corner of Second and Meade streets, where services are now regularly held by the pastor, Rev. B. F. Rattray, who, in 1888, succeeded Rev. Frederick Eason.
The First Scandinavian Baptist church was organized in 1884, through the efforts of Rev. Gustavus Liljoroth. Rev. O. O'Kerson became pastor in 1885, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Nicholas Nayland, in 1886. Re- cently a new church building has been erected by this congregation at 109 North Eleventh street, North Portland. Besides the churches named, the Baptists of Portland maintain missions at North Portland and Albina.
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
The first minister of the Presbyterian denomination in Oregon was Lewis Thompson, a native of Kentucky, and an alumnus of Princeton Theological Seminary, who came to the Pacific slope in 1846. He was soon after joined by a minister from Ohio, Robert Robe, who, with E. R. Geary of La Fayette, formed the presbytery of Oregon, on the 19th of November, 185 1.
In 1853, there were five Presbyterian ministers in Oregon, the three already mentioned, and J. L. Yantis and J. A. Hanna. At a meeting of the Presbytery held at Portland in October of this year, a petition from a number of persons for the organization of a church in Portland was received and considered. The request was granted, and Rev. J. L. Yantis, D. D.. who had preached here for some months, was appointed to organize the proposed church.
Under Dr. Yantis' efforts, the First Presbyterian church of Portland was constituted and organized January i, 1854, with twelve members and the elec- tion of Wm. P. Abrams and James McKeon as elders. Dr. Yantis was assisted in the work by Rev. George F. Whitworth, who had recently arrived in Oregon, and who supplied the Portland church for two months.
On May i, 1854, Dr. Yantis reported the organization, and the church was taken under the care of the presbytery. When the church was organized, it was expected that Dr. Yantis would be its permanent pastor, but he divided his time between the Portland church and the church at Calipooia, his previous charge, in Linn county, eighty miles from Portland, whither he journeyed on horseback twice each month, until an affliction of the eyes compelled him to give up the Portland work. After this the church was only occasionally supplied, until June 4, i860, when Philip S. Caffrey continued his ministerial work in Portland until January i, 1867, when failing health caused him to resign. Dur- ing this period, in the summer of 1862, the lots on the corner of Third and Washington streets were purchased for $1,500, upon which a church building was erected at a cost of about $20,000, being dedicated on May 22, 1864, the dedica- tion sermon being preached by Rev. George H. Atkinson.
On October 2^), 1865, ^^^ society was duly incorporated as "The First Pres- byterian Church and Society of the City of Portland," by Messrs. W. S. Ladd, J. C. Ainsworth, O. P. S. Plummer, J. D. Holman and M. B. Millard, all of whom have passed on but Dr. Plummer. The value of the property then owned by the society was $25,000.
At the close of Mr. Cafifrey's labors, the church remained for nearly two years without a pastor. Rev. A. L. Lindsley, D. D., was extended a call in August, 1867, which he finally accepted, and was installed April 25, 1869, as the first regular pastor of the church. At this time there were only eighty-seven members, but under Dr. Lindsley's ministry, the church rapidly grew in influence ​
and members. He was especially active in mission work among the Indians of the northwest, aiding in establishing missions among the Alaskans, Nez Perces, Puyallups, Umatillas, Spokanes and others. His pastorate continued for over eighteen years, and during this period he organized twenty-one churches and dedicated twenty-two, while the gifts of the church for all purposes amounted to over $240,000. His election to the chair of practical theology in the San Francisco Seminary, led to his resignation as pastor in November, 1886.
In January, 1886, the old church property was sold at public auction for $68,000, and the erection of a new church on the quarter block on the corner of Alder and Tenth streets, which had been purchased in 1883, was commenced. It is a fine stone structure, the total cost of which, including furnishings, cost about $125,000. Dr. Lindsley's resignation and removal to California left the church without a pastor, and so it continued until January, 1888, when a unani- mous call was extended to Rev. Arthur J. Brown of Oak Park, Illinois. Mr. Brown accepted the pastorate, and on May 9, 1888, was duly installed.
This church now (1890) numbers over 400 members, and is in a most flour- ishing condition. For many years it was the only Presbyterian church in Port- land and vicinity, but when it became apparent that other churches were neces- sary, some of its members withdrew for the purpose of forming new organiza- tions. Where recently but one Presbyterian church existed, eight are now doing effective work, and to this development the old church has been able to contribute to a considerable extent, in both membership and means. The Portland Sea- man's Friend Society, and the Bethany Mission, the latter organized in August, 1889, are also largely sustained by the First Presbyterian church. The officers of the church are as follows : Ruling elders — Royal K. Warren, William B. Gil- bert, Stephen P. Lee, Edward Quackenbush, Alfred Stowell. Trustees — Henry W. Corbett, Thomas N. Strong, William S. Ladd, Donald Maaleay and Dr. George M. Wells (1890).
Calvary Presbyterian church was organized in February, 1882, by some fifty members who withdrew from the First Presbyterian church, since which time it has been maintained independently of the parent church and the "board of home missions." The first officers elected were: George J. Ainsworth, H. C. Coleman, John Honeyman, Wesley Jackson, William Wadhams, and Dr. Curtis C. Strong, elders; and Henry J. Corbett, treasurer. On July i, 1882, Rev. Edward Trumbull L^e became pastor. Soon after Mr. Lee began his labors, a lot was purchased on the corner of Clay and Ninth strets, and on this site the cornerstone of the present church building was laid September 11, 1882, Dr. Lindsley of the First church delivering the address. The building was completed in about a year's time and cost $35,000. The seating capacity of the auditorium is 500, and the chapel 300. A little to the north of the church building is the church parsonage, which is owned by the church and occupied by the pastor. Mr. Lee resigned in 1887, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. H. Landon.
St. John's Presbyterian church in North Portland is the outgrowth of the mission labors of Rev. Robert J. Laughlin, who was sent to this field by the Presbyterian board of home missions in 1881. His labors, however, were largely sustained by the First Presbyterian congregations. A Sabbath school was first organized at the Couch engine room on G street about the middle of August, 1S83, while preaching services were held every Sabbath evening at Watson's hall, corner of Sixteenth and T streets. A short time after the mission was opened, two lots on the corner of Sixteenth and M streets were donated by Mrs. J. H. Couch, and upon them in 1884 the present church edifice was built. The congregation was organized in November, 1884, some thirteen of the members of the First church withdrawing from that body to complete the organization. Mr. Laughlin was succeeded as pastor in 1888 by Rev. L. V. Milligan. (Dur- ing his service to the church in Portland, Mr. Laughlin had also in charge two other missions, one at St. Johns, and one at Sellwood, both of which have grown into flourishing churches. But being attacked by an affection of the lungs was ​
compelled to give up his church work and seek relief in travel and the dry cli- mate of California and eastern Oregon. But all to no purpose, and after bravely suffering for three years, passed away at the residence of the author of this history in the year of 1891, and is buried in the church lot of Riverview cemetery. A purer, nobler and more faithful soldier of the cross never give his life to the church.)
The United Presbyterian church was organized in April, 1884, and has a suitable church building on the southeast corner of Sixth and Montgomery streets. Rev. Wm. R. Stevenson very acceptably labored in the establishment of the church, and for four years continued as pastor. He was followed in 1888 by Rev. Wm. W. Logan.
The Fourth Presbyterian church was organized in 1887, and is located in South Portland, on South First street, between Grover and Gibbs streets. Rev. Thomas Boyd has been pastor since the formation of the church.
The Chinese mission maintained by the Presbyterians of the city,, has been in existence for several years. Rev. Wm. S. Holt is the missionary in this field of work.
THE HEBREW SYNAGOGUES.
In response to a call issued to the Israelites residing in Portland, a meeting was held at the National Hotel, Sunday, May 2, 1858, for the purpose of organ- izing a Jewish congregation. Eight gentlemen assembled: M. Mansfield, Jacob Mayer, Samuel Levy, David Simon, L. Cohen, S. M. Lyon and B. Simon. One week later, May 9, 1858, the gentlemen named, and H. F. Bloch, Leopold Mayer, Abraham Frank and J. Mecholup completed the organization of Beth Israel congregation, at which time the following officers were elected : Leopold Mayer, president; M. Mansfield, vice-president; Abraham Frank, treasurer, and B. Simon, secretary.
Burke's hall was secured as the place of worship, and Rev. S. M. Laski was engaged as reader. The congregation rapidly increased in members, and the erection of a synagogue was soon discussed. In October, 1859, ^ ^o^ on the corner of Fifth and Oak streets was purchased. On May 12, 1861, the corner- stone of the synagogue was laid, and in August following the building was com- pleted and consecrated. In May, 1861, Rev. H. Bories was chosen minister, remaining in charge of Beth Israel until July, 1863, when Rev. Dr. Julius Eck- man was elected the first rabbi of the congregation.
The synagogue was enlarged in 1865 to meet the requirements of the con- gregation, and for more than two decades thereafter was used for religious purposes. In the meantime the congregation had grown so large that it illy answered for a house of worship. The erection of a more suitable building was periodically discussed, but no decisive action was taken until Col. L. Fleischner took the matter in hand and in response to his efforts the necessary steps were taken which led to the erection of the present synagogue. He was ably assisted by Rev. Dr. J. Bloch, who had been elected rabbi in October, 1883.
In May, 1887, the necessary ground was secured at the corner of Tenth and Main streets. Plans for a synagogue drawn by Williams & Smith were ac- cepted, and on January 8, 1888, work was commenced. The building, costing $70,000, was completed and dedicated on January 2, 1889.
The congregation now (1890) numbers one hundred and fifty male members. The present officers are: S. Blumauer, president; J. Kaufman, vice president; N. Baum, treasurer; Sol. Friedenthal, secretary. Following are the names of those who have served as readers and rabbis of the congregation : Rev. S. M. Laski, Rev. H. Biers, Rev. H. Bories, Rev. Dr. Julius Eckman, Rev. Dr. Isaac Schwab, Rev. M. May, Rev. Alexander Rosenspitz and the present rabbi. Rev. Dr. J. Bloch.
The Jewish congregation of Ohavi Sholem was organized in 1872 by Dr. Julius Eckman, and has a synagogue on Sixth street between Oak and Pine ​
streets. Since that time Revs. Mellis, Robert Abraham, I. Kaiser, and A. W. Edelman have officiated as readers. The present reader is Rev. Robert Abraham- son. The congregation numbers fifty members.
THE UNITARIANS.
Prior to the year 1866 there was no' Unitarian church in Portland. There were four or five individuals and a few families who cherished a faith in the principles of liberal Christianity, a term which has come to cover not only Uni- tarian and Universalists, but all who, holding to the essential principles of Chris- tianity, have felt dissatisfied with the exclusiveness which the traditions of men have added to the simplicity of the gospel — Thomas Starr King had visited the country, but chiefly as a lecturer. We are told that he preached in the state one or two times. His name will always be identified with that of the Unitarian church upon this whole coast. In the year above mentioned, three individuals united in a letter to Rev. Horatio Stebbins, pastor of the church in San Fran- cisco, inviting him to make a visit to Oregon and preach in Portland, with a view to find out whether it were best to found a liberal church in Portland. Mr. Stebbin's visit created a profound feeling in the community. He preached three Sundays, and was heard by large numbers of every class and name. The result was a permanent organization, and the adoption of a constitution, which was signed by twenty-three persons. On the 30th of June, the church was duly in- corporatejd by the first board of trustees as corporators.
A sum of money subscribed toward obtaining a minister from the east and by various agencies a sufficient sum was obtained, even before a pastor was secured, to purchase two lots and erect the present building on the corner of Yamhill and Seventh streets — the land costing $2,000, and the building the same sum. In the fall of '67, Rev. T. L. Eliot, then settled in St. Louis, was invited, through the American Unitarian Association, to take charge of this, the most distant of the churches in the country. Starting from St. Louis the nth of November, the pastor and his family arrived in Portland by way of the Isthmus and San Francisco, the day before Christmas. On the last Sunday of the year the church was dedicated, the services being conducted by three of the ministers of the place — ^Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. Since that time services have been conducted without any interruption, to the present time (1890). Rev. Dr. Eliot has been the minister for twenty-two years — the longest Protestant pastorate in the city, and during that time has officiated at 500 funerals, 440 weddings, and 488 baptismal services. The church now numbers two hundred communicants, and has a strong constituency and parish additional. Its pastoral and charitable work has always been large in proportion to the age and strength of the church; the expenses, usually about $3,500 a year, are paid by voluntary subscription.
In the years 1878-79, the present edifice on the old site was completed at a cost of $20,000. The former church building is now the chapel and Sunday school room. In addition to the Christian Union above named, there are con- nected with the church a "postoffice mission" for disseminating religious litera- ture, and the W. G. Eliot Fraternity of Young People. The society also sup- ports a mission Sunday school in South Portland, with ten teachers and sixty scholars.
THE LUTHERANS.
The German Lutheran church was organized in 1868 by Rev. H. Meyers. Services were first held in Trinity Methodist church. The first officers were: F. T. Lauterwausser and John A. Fisher, elders ; C. H. Meussdorffer and Henry Lansen, deacons. The present house of worship, corner of Fifth and Taylor, was completed in 1870. It has a seating capacity of five hundred. The follow- ing have served as pastors : Revs. H. Meyers, C. S. Spricher, Henry Gans, G. P. Weaver and A. Meyers. Rev. Henry Doering is the present (18 ​90) pastor.
The Swedish Evangehcal Lutheran Immanuel church began its existence in 1883 with Rev. John W. Skans as pastor, who has continued in that relation ever since. A neat church building has been erected on B street, between Ninth and Tenth streets.
The Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1886. Rev. John Tackle continued as pastor for one year, since which the church has been without a pastor.
The English Lutheran Congregational was organized in 1888. Services are held every Sunday by the pastor, Rev. M. L. Sweizig in Central hall. The erec- tion of the stone church edifice at Park and Jefferson streets is the result.
The first German Evangelical Reformed church was organized in 1874, by Rev. John Gantenbein. A few years later the present church building on the corner of Ninth and Stark streets was erected. The services are conducted in the German language, and the church is in a prosperous condition. Mr. Gan- tenbein is still (1890) pastor, and the prosperity of the church is largely due to his labors.
THE CHRISTIANS.
The Fiist Christian church was organized in February, 1870. For several years services were held in Nonpareil hall, corner of First and Madison streets. In 1881 a lot was purchased on the corner of East Park and Columbia, and dur- ing the same year the present home of worship was built. The following pastors have served this church : C. Sharp, Jr., B. Wolverton, Henry Shader and Clark Davis. At present (1890) the congregation have no regularly stationed pastor.
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL.
The society of the First German Evangelical church was formed in 1878. The first pastor was Rev. H. W. Axthelm, under whom the present house of worship on the northeast corner of Eighth and Clay streets was built in 1880. Rev. Charles Wachlte succeeded Mr. Axthelm in 1883. He remained two years when Rev. Adam Schlenck was chosen pastor. The present pastor. Rev. Herman Schuknecht, began his pastorate in 1888.
The organization, ministry and number of churches of the different denomi- nations in Portland in 1910 is shown by the following list :
CHURCHES OF PORTLAND.
Portland is well supplied with churches. No western city, if any city in the whole country, can lay claim to more churches or more kinds of religion.
ADVENTIST.
German Adventist, Elder H. J. Dirksen, pastor; Montavilla Adventist, Elder R. D. Benham, pastor; Mt. Tabor Adventist, Elder C. A. M. Dart, pastor; Sec- ond Advent Christian, E. W. Shephard, pastor ; St. Johns Adventist, St. Johns, Elder C. J. Cole, pastor; Swedish Adventist, Montavilla, Elder Adolph Johnson, pastor.
BAPTIST.
Arleta, pastor to be supplied ; Calvary, E. 28th and Grant, Rev. I. N. Mon- roe, pastor; Central, E. Ankeny and 20th, Rev. Wm. T. Jordan, pastor; East Forty-fifth Street, Rev. A. B. Watz, pastor; First Baptist, 12th and Taylor, Rev. John Bentzien, pastor; First German, 4th and Mill, Rev. Jacob Kratt, pastor; First Swedish, 15th and Hoyt, Rev. Eric Scherstrom, pastor; Grace, E. 76th and Ash, Rev. Albert E. Patch, pastor; Highland, 1002 E. 6th, R ​ev. Edward
A. Leonard, pastor; Immanuel, Meade and Second Rev^ A. BJIinatepa^ton
Richard Schneider, pastor ; University Park, pastor to be supphed.
BAPTIST MISSION.
Chinese, Rev. Fung. Chah, pastor; Sunnyside, German; Swedish, 916 Union avenue.
CHRISTIAN.
Central, E. Salmon and 20th, Rev. J F. ^^^J^^^^^f'^^'^^^^^^^^ Columbia, Rev. W. F. Reagor pastor ; ^ern Park Rev^ A- fV^^^^^^^^^ Rodney Avenue, Rev. Thomas G. Picton, P=^f ^J ' S?1J^°°^^ ^^^i^t Mission, Rev. Henry L. Bell, pastor; Woodlawn, pastor to be supplied, i^apnsx
Chinese, Rev. Lee Tong, pastor.
CONGREGATIONAL.
First Park street Rev. Luther R. Dyott, pastor; First German, 424 Stanton, Rev^H Htpp,T-tor; First Wil.burg^Will^^^^^^ Pa-r.
Hassalo Street, Rev. George E. Paddock, P^f ^J ' ^^^^Xle a Rev. Wm. H. 6th street. Rev. E. D. Bollmger, P^^^^^ '^^fgi^^^^^bkk pastor ; Sunnyside, Meyer, pastor; Pilgrim, Missouri .^^^^^J J^^^'^^u^ W Rigg^S pastor; Swedish P*>v T T Stanli pastor; University Park, Kev. u. vv. ixi^g , ^ MUsion,^GUsan and 13th street. Rev. B. J. Thorsen, pastor.
DIVINE SCIENCE.
First Divine Truth, hall in Alisky building. Rev. T. M. Minard, pastor.
DUNKARDS.
Church of the Brethren, KiUingsworth and Borthwick streets. Rev. George C. Carl, pastor. pkotestant episcopal.
Rt. Rev, Charles Scadding, . bishop "^ Oregon ;Rev^Henr^D. Chambers, archdeacon of Oregon; All Samts Church, 25 h ^^^ 1^^^^%, M.^Ramley
Remington, rector; Chapel o£ ^^f ^^^^J' ^I'^J^irZc^.Urn, Rev. John in charge; Church of the Good Shfphard Vancouver a _^^^^^
Dawson; Church of Our Savior, Woodstock, ^^^^Van^'^j^^ ' rector ; Milwau- Grace Memorial, 17th and Halsey, R". George R Van Waters «ct , ^^^
Icee, Rev. T. F. Bowen, missionary m *a;ge ; Pr^Cath^dral o bt^ ^P^_^^^^^
Ma'rtyr, 13th and Clay, Rev. H. M^f^'^^^'HTn/y' I Talbot, rector? St. John's to be supplied; St. Davids, E. 12th, Kev. nenry rector- St. Mark's,
Memorial's. 15th and Multnomah, |^- 0=7J,^J^^°'Matthew'^. F'«' -"^ Marshall and 21st streets Rev. J. E. f ™P?°"|,,^X Woodmere, to be supplied; Caruthers, Rev. W^A. M Breck, rector ; St Paul Woodme^^,^^ ^_^^^ ^^
Trinity, 19th and Everett Rev^ A^A^ Mo r.son re^to superintendent;
House, M'ary Montgomery, superintendent.
EVANGELICAL.
Rev. Theodore Schaner, presiding elder Alliance, German, Pettygrc>vest«et, Rev. E. G. Hornschuch, pastor; First Eva ​ngelical, i^. om
F. B, Culver, pastor ; First German, loth and Clay, Rev. Frederick Benz, pastor ; First Evang-elical Brethren, German, Peter Yost, elder; Lents, Rev. John A. Goode, pastor; Memorial, i8th and Gilletts, Rev. Morris Heverling, pastor; Emanuel, Milwaukee, Rev. Noah Shupp, pastor ; Evangelical Mission, Carson Heights, Fredrick Benz, pastor; Evangelical Synod, Rev. Jacob Hergert, pastor.
EVANGELICAL REFORMED.
First German, Rev. Gottlieb Hefner, pastor; Second German, Rev. F. C. Schnnelle, pastor; Third German, Rev. John Gantenbein, pastor.
EVANGELICAL UNITED.
Rev. C. C. Poling, presiding elder; First, i6th and Poplar, Rev. H. A. Deck, pastor; Oakley Green, Rev. Josiah Bowersox, pastor; St. John's, Rev. C. P. Gates, pastor; Second, Fargo and Kerby streets. Rev. H. L. Pratt, pastor.
FREE METHODIST.
Rev. William Johnston, district elder ; First Church, E. 9th street. Rev. David Cathey, pastor; Second, E. Flanders, Rev. Wm. N. Coffee, pastor.
FRIENDS (QUAKERS).
East 35th and Main, Rev. Lindley A. Wells, pastor; Lents, 116 Main, Rev. M. B. Smith, pastor.
GREEK HELLENIC ORTHODOX.
E. 17th and Taggart, Rev. B. G. Abramopulos, pastor.
LATTER DAY SAINTS.
Church of Jesus Christ, E. loth, M. J. Ballard, elder; Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, E. Irving, W. H. Barker, pastor; Northwestern States Mission, E. Main, M, J. Ballard, president.
HEBREW.
Orthodox Jewish Rabbi of Portland, Rev. N. Mosessohn ; Congregation Ahavi Sholom, Rev. Robert Abrahamson, rabbi ; Congregation Beth Israel, Rev. Jonah B. Wise, rabbi ; Congregation Novah Zedek Talmud Torah, Rev. H. N. Hellr, rabbi; Congregation Shavei Torah (orthodox). Rev. Abraham I. Orso- vitz, rabbi.
LUTHERAN.
Betamia Danish, Union avenue. Rev. Jens S. Scott, pastor; German Evange- lical Lutheran, St. Johns, Rev. Christian Buechler, pastor; Grace, Rodney ave- nue. Rev. C. Hassold, pastor; Immanuel Swedish, 19th and Irving, Rev. Carl J. Reinhard, pastor; Norwegian, 14th street, Rev. Ditman Larsen, pastor; St. James (English), W. Park and Jefferson, Rev. J. A. Leas, pastor; St. Paul's German, E. 12th, Rev. August Krause, pastor; Swedish Augustamas, Rev. H. E. Sanstedt, pastor ; Swedish Mission, Michigan avenue. Rev. B. J. Thoren, pas- tor; Tabor Park (Swedish), Reservoir Park, Rev. B. S. Nystrom, pastor; Im- manuel (German), E. 15th, Rev. H. C. Ebelling, pastor; Trinity (German), Williams avenue. Rev. J. A. Reimbach, pastor; Zion's (German), Salmon and Chapman, Rev. H. Koppelmann, pastor; Our Savior's (Scandinavian), E. lOth street. Rev. O. Haggses, pastor.
MENNONITEN.
Mennoniten Brothers, E. 6th street. Rev. Jacob Reisbach, pastor.
METHODIST (AFRICAN).
Bethel A. M. E. Church, Rev. F. G. Barr, pastor; First A. M. E. Zion, Main and 13th, Rev. W. W. Matthews, pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Rev. Charles Smith, president; bishop of Oregon, Rev. W. B. Hollingshead, superintendent Portland district ; Centenary Church, E. Pine, Rev. ​Clarence True
Wilson, pastor; Central, Vancouver and Fargo, Rev. C. L. Hamilton, pastor; East Side Norwegian, Rev. C. J. Larsen, pastor ; Epworth, 26th and Savier, Rev. C. T. McPherson, pastor; First (the pioneer church). Rev. Benjamin Young, pastor; First German, Hoyt street. Rev. G. A. Wass, pastor; Norwegian Danish, Rev. Hans P. Nelson, pastor; First Swedish, Borthwick street, Rev. John Ovall, pastor; Grace, Taylor and 12th streets, Rev. John H. Cudlipp, pas- tor; Kelly Memorial, Powell and 39th streets; Laurelwood, Laurelwood station; Lents, Rev. W. B. Moore, pastor; Linnton, Rev. Henry James, pastor; Milwau- kee (German), Rev. August F. Hillmer, pastor; Montavilla, E. 80th street, Rev. Harold Oberg, pastor; Mt. Tabor, Rev. J. W. McDougall, pastor; Patton, Michigan avenue. Rev. D. A. Watters, pastor ; Rodney Avenue German, Rev. Edmund E. Hertzer, pastor ; Sellwood, Rev. L. C. Poor, pastor ; Sunnyside, Rev. Wm. T. Euster, pastor; Trinity, East Grant, Rev. Lewis F. Smith, pastor; University Park, Rev. W. R. Jeffrey, pastor; Woodlawn, Rev. W. J. Douglass, pastor; Woodstock, Rev. John D. Voce, pastor; Chinese Mission, Rev. Chan Sing Kal, superintendent; Japanese Mission, Rev. Shigeo Fugii, pastor.
METHODIST CHURCH SOUTH.
First Church, Union avenue. Rev. Henry H. Mowre, pastor.
METHODIST, WESLEYAN.
Wesleyan, E. Glisan, Rev. W. E. Carrington, pastor.
UNITARIAN.
Church of Our Father, Rev. W. G. Elliot, Jr., minister,
UNITED BRETHREN.
Alberta, Rev. B. E, Emerick, pastor ; First, E. Morrison, Rev. R. S. Showers, pastor; Third, 68th street. Rev. H. C. Shaffer, pastor; Tremont, Wisdom street. Rev, H. C. Shaffer; Chinese Mission, Rev. Moy Ling, pastor.
UNITED BRETHREN, RADICAL.
Rev. Henry L. Barkley, bishop of the Pacific, Cloverdale church. Rev. C. A, Morth, pastor.
UNIVERSALIST.
Church of Good Tidings, Rev. James D. Corby, pastor.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA.
Post No. I, Capt. J. F. Starks in charge; Tenement Relief Work, Capt, Starks in charge; Volunteers Working Girls' Home, Capts. Philips and Quarles in charge.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF PORTLAND.
First, organized January i, 1854, with 12 charter members; present mem- bership, 1,415; Rev. J. D. Yantis, first minister.
Calvary, organized February 19, 1882, with 50 charter members; present membership, 205 ; Rev. E. Trumbull Lee, D. D., first minister.
Third, organized September 17, 1882, with 24 charter members; present membership, 389; Rev. D. O. Gormley, first minister.
Forbes, organized May 24, 1884, with 24 charter members; present member- ship, 255; Rev. W. O. Forbes, first minister.
Marshall Street, organized November 16, 1884, with 28 charter members; present membership, 134; Rev. R. J. Laughlin, first minister.
Spokane Avenue, organized December 2^), 1885, with 32 charter members; present membership, 214; Rev. R. J. LaughHn, first ​minister.
Fourth, organized September 12, 1886, with 17 charter members; present membership, 188; Rev. Thomas Boyd, first minister.
Mizpah, organized June 5, 1887, with 29 charter members ; present member- ship, 221 ; Rev. D. O. Gormley, first minister.
Trinity, organized January 29, 1889, with 25 charter members; present mem- bership, 54; Rev. G. A. McKinley, first minister.
Westminster, organized October 25, 1892, with 40 charter members; present membership, 417; Rev. W. P. Weller, Ph. D., first minister.
Mt. Tabor, organized November 18, 1892, with 45 charter members ; present membership, 130.
Hawthorne Park, organized October 7, 1894, with 25 charter members; pres- ent membership, 450; Rev. G. A. Blair, first minister.
Piedmont, organized February 12, 1905, with 35 charter members; present membership, 2(X); Rev. L. M. Bowzer, first minister.
St. Johns German, organized February 21, 1905, with 22 charter members; present membership, 44; Rev. A. W. Reinhart, first minister.
Millard Avenue, organized April 29, 1906, with 2^^ charter members ; present membership, 34; Rev. D. A. Thompson, first minister.
Anabel, organized May 13, 1906, with 23 charter members ; present mem- bership, 58; Rev. Geo. W. Armes, Jr., first minister.
Vernon, organized March 10, 1907, with 60 charter members; present mem- bership, 158; Rev. G. A. Blair, first minister.
Hope, organized April 21, 1907, with 26 charter members; present member- ship, 26; Rev. S. S. White, first minister.
Kenilworth, organized October 19, 1908, with 25 charter members; present membership, 39; Rev. J. K. McGlobe, D. D., first minister.
Rose City Park, organized June 28, 1909, with 29 charter members; present membership, 29; Rev. Henry Marcotte, first minister.
Arbor Lodge, Bryant street, Rev. Josephine Beach, pastor; Chinese, 1455^ First street, Mrs. W. S. Holt, superintendent; East 28th Street Chapel, Rev. Wm. Parsons, pastor; Men's Resort, 4th and Burnside, Rev. J. A. McVeigh, superintendent.
DIRECTORY OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS.
Rev. Henry L. Nave, D. D., Hope church, Montavilla, Oregon; Rev. Albert Robinson, Trinity and Kenilworth, 552 E. 36th street; Rev. A. W. Rein- hart, Springwater and Eaglecreek, Lents, Oregon ; Rev. E. M. Hesp, D. D., Mt. Tabor, 1483 Belmont street; Rev. C. W. Hays, Marshall Street, 231 N. 17th street; Rev. Wm. Parsons, D. D., Third, 568 E. Pine street; Rev. Henry Mar- cotte, Third, Westminster, 350 E. 9th street N. ; Rev. H. H. Pratt, Forbes, 304 Fargo street; Rev. E. N. Allen, Hawthorne Park, 204 E. 12th street; Rev. D. A. Thompson, Spokane Avenue, 1627 E. 17th street; Rev. Wm. H. Foulkes, D. D., 161 N. 22d street, First church; Rev. B. McLean, Arleta, Oregon, Anabel; Rev. Geo. W. Arnes, 1025 E. 19th street, N. Vernon church ; Rev. D. A. Mc- Kenzie, 174 Hamilton avenue. Fourth church; Rev. Harry Luds, 592 E. 20th street, Mizpah church; Rev. J. E. Snyder, 401 Oxford street. Piedmont church; Rev. J. A. Townsend, Ph. D., 4621 70th street. East Millard Avenue church; Rev. T. H. Walker, 414 Columbia street. Calvary church ; Rev. J. A. McVeigh, corner 4th and Burnside, Rescue Work, of North end.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN.
First Church, 6th and Montgomery, Rev. Frank D. Findley, pastor ; Church of the Strangers, Grand avenue, Rev. Earl Dubois, pastor; Third Church, E. ​
37th street. Rev. John L. Acheson, pastor; People's Institute, 248 Burnside, Valentine Prichard, directoress.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Rev. Alexander Christie, archbishop of the diocese of Oregon; Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, The Archbishop, pastor; Rev. George Thompson, Rev. H. J. McDevitt, Rev. Edwin V. O'Hara, Rev. A. G. DeLorimer, assistants. Church of the Ascension, Rev. James E. Fitzpatrick, pastor; Church of the Im- maculate Heart of Mary, Rev. W. A. Daly, pastor; Rev. W. W. Maloney, as- sistant; Church of the Most Precious Blood, Rev. L. A. Brosseau, pastor; Church of the Sacred Heart, Rev. Gregory; Noble, pastor; Rev. Berthold Durrer, missionary; Holy Cross, Rev. J. P. Thillman, pastor; Holy Redeemer (Redemp- tionist) Rev. E. K. Cantwell, pastor; Rev. Walter L. Polk, Rev. Dougal McDon- ald, Rev. C. Clement Wagner, assistant; Holy Rosary (Dominican) Very Rev. Albert S. Lawler, O. P., Rector; Milwaukie, Rev. Berthold Durrer, O. S. B., Pastor ; St. Andrews, Alberts, Rev. Thomas P. Kiernan, pastor ; St. Francis, Rev. James H. Black, pastor; St. Ignatius, Rev. Francis Dillon, pastor; St. Joseph's 1^ German) Rt. Rev. James Rauw, V. G., pastor; St. Lawrence, Rev. John C. Hughes, pastor; Rev. Hugh Gallagher, assistant; St. Michael's (Itahan) Rev. I. A. Vasta, pastor; Rev. A. I. Rocati, assistant; St. Patrick's, Rev. E. P. Murphy, pastor; St. Peter's Chapel, Rev. Peter De Roo, pastor; St. Stanislau, Rev. Qiarles Seroski, pastor; St. Stephens, parish, Rev. Father W. A. Waitt, pastor.
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES.
Church of God, Elder G. T. Neal, pastor ; First Church of Christ, Scientist, H. C. Van Meter and Mrs. Percie Proctor, readers; Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Estelle Price, first reader ; George W. Cole, second reader ; First Spir- itual Society, E. F. Staley, president; Free Brothers, Rev. Peter Yost, pastor; Japanese Budhist Church, Rev. S. Wakahayshi, priest ; Ministers and Mediums, Protective Spiritual Associations, Wm. T. Allen, president ; Mrs. M. E. Allen, secretary; Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, Rev. L. R. Blackman, pastor; Portland New Swendborgian church, Chas. W. Cottel, lay reader; Portland Olive Branch, Aaron Walls, superintendent.
THE FOUNDING OF SCHOOLS.
All the principal church organizations in Oregon took an active part early in the history of the state in establishing schools under the patronage and influence of these churches. The Methodists were the leaders in this movement not Only in the state, but also in Portland. Jason Lee laid the foundations of the Willa- mette university at Salem. At a later day "Father" Wilbur founded the first Port- land academy. Contemporaneous with the Methodist activity in Portland, the Congregationalists started the Pacific university at Forest Grove. The Catholics under Bishop Blanchet brought the Sisterhood from Canada and founded St. Mary's college for girls. Wm. T. Newby laid out the town of McMinnville, do- nated land for the McMinnville college, and the Baptists founded that institu- tion. The Presbyterians in turn, and largely with the aid of H. W. Corbett, es- tablished the college at Albany. The Southern Methodists started Corvallis col- lege, and afterwards turned it over to the state as a foundation for the agricul- tural college which is now the big school of the state. The disciples of Alexander Campbell, (Christians) established Monmouth college in Polk County, and after- wards turned it over to the state for a normal school. The United Brethren not to be outdone by the more numerous and wealthy donominations started two colleges at Philomath in Benton County — one moderate and one radical in its ​views of theological doctrines. The German Lutheran have within a few years founded Concordia college in northeast Portland, while the Catholics having taken over the property of the Methodists at University Park, have founded the large institution of Columbia university. And last but not least among the sectarian schools is Newberg college, at the town of Newberg in Yamhill County, founded by the Quakers, or Friends. This is one of the best colleges in the state and has never had a dollar of bounty from any source outside of its own special friends, and the citizens of Newberg. In addition to Albany college, the Portland academy in many respects nearly a college, is also under the special care and support of Presbyterian influences. The Protestant Episcopal church early took an active interest in educational work, and founded a boarding and day school for girls and young ladies at Milwaukie now adjoining this city, which after its abandonment on account of its inconvenient location, was succeeded by the girls school known as St. Helen's hall. This school has been very successful since its first opening by Bishop Morris in 1869. The school was very fortunate in having for its principal, and two of its teachers, Miss Mary B. Rodney, and her sisters, Lydia and Clementina; all of whom with the bishop founder have passed on to their reward. The Rodney sisters were direct descendants of Caesar Rodney, one of the signers—the signer that decided the great event of the declaration of American independence.
The Roman Catholics have been the most active and successful in establishing denominational or sectarian schools, it being a part of the policy of that church to educate their own youth with instructors that will combine religious instruction and training with the elements of a common school education. Pursuing this policy they have schools in nearly every parish in the city, besides the leading institutions of St. Mary's, The Christian Brothers, and Columbia university; all of which must have involved an expenditure for buildings alone of several hundred thousand dollars.
SUCCESSIVE GROUPS OF GREAT PREACHERS.
No apologies are offered for devoting liberal space to the churches. Recognizing, as every thoughtful reader of history must recognize, that intelligence and morality is the foundation of all governments that administer justice and equally protect the rights of all citizens, the record of these institutions must ever be the most instructive source of information enlightening the mind of the student and guiding the course of the statesman. It is therefore in no sense disparaging to the great interests of business and finance to give to the churches a more important chapter than to banks and railroads. For after all is said and done, it is upon the virtues, integrity and courage of the individual man and woman that the future safety of the nation and happiness of the people depends. While the hair splitting differences in the creeds of the churches may be ignored, their teaching of morals, justice and humanity must forever command the support of every good man and woman.
THE PIONEER PREACHERS.
It does not require on the part of the reader of Oregon history any critical examination of the record to see that the religious development of society has been marked by successive groups of very able, forceful and distinguished teachers. Men who not only preached, and worked and taught, but men who left the impress of their sacrificial labors, and lives, not only on their own times, but in a most marked degree on the religious thought and spirit of the whole history of the state.
Commencing with the pioneer settlement of the state, the very first beginnings, coming into the midst of all the wildness of the wilderness and the savagery of ​
native barbarism, such men as Jason Lee and Marcus Whitman challenged the attention and consideration of all thoughtful men. It was no ordinary man that would voluntarily assume the task of lifting up eighty thousand natives to a con- sideration of better things than his dumb instincts could not comprehend or ex- press. It was a brave man, a hero of heroes, that would take his life in his hands to make a journey across trackless plains, mountains and deserts to reach and teach the lowest of the lowly in a land that could offer him nothing but the earth for a foundation and the skies for a covering.
It is not a wonder then that the names of Lee, Whitman, and Blanchet, have left their impress upon the history of three states, with reputations for heroism, patriotism, virtue and integrity that have overflowed the boundaries of their fields of effort and become a national inheritance. Admitting to the full, all the criticism that has ever been made of the lives or characters of these men, the fact remains uncontested and incontestable, that their works and reputations doth still overshadow all their successors in the same field.
And the enduring fame of these men does not depend on the question whether Lee, or Whitman influenced the United States government to assert its rights to Oregon. That political question was one that ought not to have required or needed any entreaty from these pioneers on an unfriendly outpost two thousand miles distant from any encouraging voice. And it will always stand as the stigma and disgrace of a president of the United States, and his cabinet minister, that he did not assert the rights of his country and extend the protecting aegis of its flag over these devoted Americans upholding their country's honor and just rights. What these pioneer preachers did do — and it cannot be gainsaid — was to set in motion a train of events that resulted in immigration, that aroused public opinion in distant states, and that set the seal of sobriety, morality and justice on the whole movement as one largely the work of teachers and missionaries. And whether Lee or Whitman were prudent, or imprudent, signifies but little in the judgment of candid history. They both set up the same banner in the wilderness, and called all men to reject or approve. Had Whitman retired from his post he might have saved his life. But he was on the outpost. If he retired what might have re- sulted to the immigrants all struggling forward to reach for succor and support. Starvation was as bad as Indians. That Whitman offered assistance in some degree, and in a moral degree, is indisputable. And his service to the immigrants, to the founding of a state, and to the great thought that a religious teacher was standing as the friend of both natives and his own countrymen, and proclaiming morality, justice and truth in the heart of the wilderness, is undeniable.
And with these men, the character and fame of that soldier of the cross, Peter John De Smet, rises to equal grandeur and heroism. De Smet, more than all others of the pioneer period, secured the confidence and obedience of the Indians. None of these men had the support of the government; and in a very limited way, had they the support of the Hudson's Bay Company. Many of the Indians, notably the Blackfeet and Sioux, could not be influenced by any form of teach- ing or religion. They hated and despised every thing coming from the white man. And these Indians, and other tribes if uninfluenced, might have at any time combined and exterminated the whole people in Oregon, if they had not been restrained by missionary influences. For the enemies of the white man among the Indians were never quite sure that the friends of the white man among the Indians would not join the white man in any attempted war of extermination.
These pioneer preachers and priests did the best they could with the wild men they must influence and control. And how much of bloodshed the labors and influence of De Smet prevented, the world will never know. The rivalries between the Catholics and Protestants in the conversion or proselyting of the Indian neophytes in 1840 appears at this distance to be simply ridiculous. And of the reality or comparative virtues of these conversions, it is not now necessary to consider. But the general question of influencing and controlling the Indian ​
tribes, for the safety and protection of the white settlers, and the immigrants to Oregon, is one of great historical interest. On that point all must, perforce for their own safety, agree to hold the Indian to the paths of peace.
THE METHODIST LEADERS.
Next in order after the pioneer missionaries came the men who began to build churches for white men and women. In this work the Methodists were fore- tunate in getting a corps of active, forceful men. Roberts, Waller, Parrish and Wilbur would have made their mark in any community. Rev. J. L. Parrish v/as the business man, par excellence, of the early missionaries. Parrish and Waller raised the first money and built the first church building west of the Rocky moun- tains — the Methodist church at Oregon City. Parrish also built the first three story brick business house in the city of Portland. He did not profess to be a great preacher; but as long as there was a vital necessity for some man to raise money, J. L. Parrish had the energy, persistence and financial head-piece to man- age such business successfully, and thus keep the Methodist ship in safe water, and sailing at the head of the fleet.
Rev. A. F. Waller was also a good business man, more of a manager than a preacher; and it was to his careful management of the funds and resources of the Willamette university, that it was able to keep its doors open, and teaching forces actively at work through all the financially lean years from 1862 down to and through the financial panic of 1893.
But the two men who did most to plant Methodism on firm and solid founda- tions, and buttress it around and about with self-supporting churches and hard working circuit riders, were Rev. Wm. Roberts and Rev. Jas. H. Wilbur. While these two men were both much above the ordinary as preachers of the gospel, their chief claim to historical eminence, was that of hard workers. They were always at work for the church. It had no rivals in their afifections or ambitions. Roberts had the credit of building more church buildings in Oregon than any other man ever living in the state. His success was so great in that respect that his bishop kept him continually on the move from one station to another. And it is now, as these lines are penned on October 31, 1910, just sixty-three years since Win. Roberts held the first religious serz'ice and preached the first sermon in what is now the city of Portland. On that day, sixty-three years ago, the sum total of Portland, Oregon, was fourteen log cabins scattered around in the brush of the primeval forest from what is now the foot of Stark street, along up the river to Jefiferson street and back to First street. Mr. Roberts was then acting as superintendent, or deputy bishop, of the Methodist work, then going on in Oregon. And from that time on to his death, for fifty years, Wm. Roberts labored incessantly to organize new churches throughout the state, and to erect new church buildings, until it stood to his credit that he had organized more churches and built more church buildings than any other man west of the Rocky mountains.
Mr. Roberts was elected chairman of the first Methodist conference held west of the Rocky mountains, and appointed the first superintendent of Methodist missions in Oregon, the appointment dating from Salem, September 5, 1849. At that date there were only three Methodist churches, fourteen local preachers, and three hundred and forty-eight professed Methodists in Oregon.
James H. Wilbur, afterwards, and now known in history as "Father Wilbur" was a somewhat different man from Roberts. With equal force and industry, as Roberts, yet with a broader and more comprehensive grasp of the situation, Wilbur not only sought to preach the Methodist gospel and build Methodist meet- ing houses, but he looked forward to the power and influence of educational in- stitutions to support and promote the growth of the church. And his idea upon that point was different from that of his ministerial associates. And ​that instead
of concentraing all educational effort on the Willamette university, he favored the establishment of academies at widely separated points in the state, so that all young people could at reasonable expense, obtain the advantages of academic education. And by thus pushing this educational plan, educational advantges would be more generally diffused, students would be prepared for the university, and hopeful young men given a chance for the ministry. Wilbur labored to carry out this idea to the extent of establishing the old Portland academy at the corner of Seventh and Jefferson streets, in 185 1; and also the Umpqua academy at the town of Wilbur, in Douglas County.
New countries and trying circumstances develop men. Both these incidents bore down on the pioneer preacher with a heavy hand. Hard work and poor pay or no pay at all, were not the least of his trials. The heathen, white and red, were around and about him. While never, like Peter Cartwright of Illinois, compelled to use force to command respect for his calling, yet had it been necessary, James H. Wilbur could have administered that argument with irresistable eft'ect. With a giant's strength, mentally and physically, he used it for the noblest purposes, always willing to serve and labor to bring forth good works no matter how plain or humble the cause or the occasion. With his own hands he cleared the ground, hewed the timbers, and as far as his strength would admit, built the old Taylor Street Methodist church, — the first church building in Portland. And with his own hands he cleared the block of land from the dense fir forest and hewed out the timbers for the old Portland academy, a building fifty feet in width, eighty feet long, and two stories high. And after thus making the ground ready, and preparing heavy timbers under the old style of building frame structures, he canvassed the whole country and raised $5,000 to complete the Academy building.
That Wilbur was a man of great force and influence, outside of as well as in the church, is attested by the fact, that in 1863, while he was outside of Oregon, temporarily as superintendent of Indian schools in Washington territory, he was nominated as candidate for the United States senate, without his knowledge, at the legislative convention at Salem to select a successor to Senator Benjamin Stark. And after accepting the position as superintendent of Indian schools, he was by President Abraham Lincoln, voluntarily promoted to the position of In- dian agent on Yakima reservation. Altogether, he gave more than twenty years of his life to the work of educating and Hfting up the Indians, and his death was universally mourned by them, as their greatest loss and sorrow.
All his family passed away before him ; and the property he had accumulated by investing his savings in lands, was all given to church and charitable purposes. Ten thousand dollars was given to the Methodist Missionary Society; ten thou- sand dollars to the church Extension Society ; ten thousand dollars to the Freed- man's Aid Society; and the balance of his estate, seventeen thousand dollars to the Willamette university. As it was said of Dr. A. L. Lindsley, the Presbyte- rian leader, so it may be said of James H. Wilbur — his work will not perish. It will go on as long as recorded history and the human race co-exist. It is to the great honor of Portland that it has had such men. And it is still to the greater honor of mankind, that they have lived such lives.
THE CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS.
No notice of the founding of religious institutions in Oregon can leave out the name of Rev. George H. Atkinson, a man of commanding presence, most agreeable personality, marked talent and high character. He was born at New- bury, Vermont, sailed from Boston for Oregon, in October, 1847, and arrived in Oregon in June, 1848, coming by sea and the Sandwich islands.
Dr. Atkinson was sent to Oregon by the Llome Missionary Society of Bos- ton, as a superintendent of the congregational work in this territory. On his arrival he at once entered upon the work he was sent to do, and organized the ​
Oregon Association of Congregational Ministers ; also the Oregon Tract Society, and joined in the efforts to found a school at Forest Grove. Dr. Atkinson became pastor of the congregational church at Oregon City, in 1853, a-^d was for many years pastor of the First Congregational church of Portland. In 1852 Dr. At- kinson returned to the eastern states to solicit aid for the Forest Grove school, and especially from the College Society, which had promised to endow a college in Oregon. He succeeded in getting the sum of $600 a year pledged from that society, and obtained from other sources the sum of $800 in money, and $700 worth of books to start the college library. And looking about for a permanent teacher, found Sidney H. Marsh, a young graduate of Burlington college, and son of a Professor Marsh of that college ; and with young Marsh, the funds and the books, returned to Oregon in 1853.
The work of Dr. Atkinson, afterwards honored with a degree of D. D., con- tributed much toward the foundation of the Pacific university. For while the school was congregational, it was not conducted in a sectarian spirit ; and Dr. Atkinson's labor, influence and character, exercised in behalf of the infant col- lege, was largely instrumental in securing patronage to it from Portland, Oregon City and other points.
Dr. Atkinson continued to labor, as a minister to the Portland and other churches, until his health failed in 1866; and then devoted his remaining years to missionary and other general field work in behalf of education, religion and temperance. He was a most engaging and effective public speaker, and his ser- vices were in demand far and wide
As a sample of his thoroughly Catholic interest in the cause he professed, it is remembered that when no other minister would consider so small a place, Dr. Atkinson, upon request, readily went out to the little village of Gaston in Wash- ington County, where the boys had always spent their Sunday's at base ball, and there in a warehouse, held repeated Sunday services until first a Sunday-school was organized, then the base ball boys dropped their games and attended the school, then a little church was built and is yet used, and now there is a Congre- gational church of over one hundred members. All this service was without money and without price on his part ; and this is but one of hundreds of instances of George H. Atkinson's truly missionary spirit. Where can we find anything like it now-a-days ? Where can we find such noble hearted, truly Christian, un- selfish men?
Not alone in Oregon City and Portland, where he lived so many years, but throughout the state and the entire northwest, was his influence felt ; not only in churches and meetings and through the press, but in the multitude of homes of the pioneers, where his word of sympathy, his prayer and his exhortations, left a hallowed memory with men, women and children, who, ever afterward, said, "That was a true man of God. His first home missionary work was in Oregon City," where in the early migratory character of the population, he used to say it was like standing on the street corners, and preaching to the passer-by.
Here in 1850 he built a church costing about $4,000, and although lumber was $80 per thousand, and carpenters' wages $10 per day, he did so much work himself, clearing lots, stacking lumber, and carrying brick and mortar, that a respectable edifice for those times, was built.
From this time onward, as long as he lived, there was scarcely a Congrega- tional church organized, or a sanctuary built, but that felt the touch of his genial enterprise and loyal encouragement. But the story of Dr. Atkinson's worth and influence would be incomplete without consideration of a large work, outside of what men call religious service, though with him all work was dominated by a deeply religious spirit.
As was truly said of him by H. W. Scott, the editor of the Oregonian, when he passed away, "in all the industries and activities of life. Dr. Atkinson, saw forces that contributed to the growth of the Kingdom of God, and part of his ​
large idea was to refine, to spiritualize and exalt the multiplying activities and efforts called forth in the endless differentiation of modern life."
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP.
Peter John De Smet, the evangelist to the red man, was the great Catholic priest to Oregon, and to the great west. De Smet ranks as high in popular esti- mation and historical repute at St. Louis and Kansas City as in Oregon. But De Smet established no churches, or institutions in Oregon, in the modern accept- ance of the terms. That work of the Catholic church was left to Francis Nor- bert Blanchet, first bishop of Oregon City. Rev. Blanchet was a parish priest in the Montreal district of Canada before coming to Oregon. Having through the liberality of the Hudson's Bay Company secured passage to Oregon with the company's annual express. Rev. Blanchet with his assistant. Rev. Modeste De- mers, left Montreal in May, 1838, and reached Fort Vancouver in November of the same year, having held religious services for the Indians on their way at Forts Colville, Okanogan, and Walla Walla. The first Catholic service was held in Oregon at Vancouver on November 25, 1838. It is pertinent to remark here that the Hudson's Bay Company consented to help these Catholic preachers out to this distant region on condition that the Catholic mission should be established in the Cowlitz valley north of the Columbia. The reason for this condition being, that the company felt sure at this time that the country north of the Columbia would be awarded to the British, although they were hoping that England would get the whole of Oregon.
Rev. Blanchet came to Oregon with the title of vicar-general, practically an assistant to a bishop, and exercising jurisdiction in his name. Rev. Blanchet was therefore not only the first Catholic priest to enter the confines of Oregon, but he was the official head of the great world wide church in Oregon. He was, therefore, no ordinary personage, and undoubtedly selected for abilities to not only preach the gospel according to the ritual of Catholicism, but also to found churches and institutions, and manage the same in the name of and for the great head of the church at Rome.
During the early part of the year of 1840 the rivalry between the Catholic and Methodist missionaries was intense; resulting in recriminations against each other which seem at this distance of time to have been childish and ridiculous, but about which this work is not concerned. The only point of importance which is made clear and distinct, in the contentions between the rival sectarians, was that the influence of Blanchet and Demers united the French Catholic settlers in a community by themselves, and thereby weakened the power of the Protestant missionaries as a political force supporting the claims of the United States to the country. This fact as conclusively shown by the first two petitions of the set- tlers to the United States congress, each being signed equally by French Catholics and Americans; while the memorials sent to Washington after the advent of Blanchet, were signed only by Protestants and Americans. While this shows that the priests and their churchmen had decided to not favor American control of the country, it is not necessarily a reprehensible act. For at that time England was claiming the country equally with the United States, and in joint occupancy by consent of our own government. And as Blanchet and the French Catholics were all subjects of Great Britain, it was but natural they should to some extent, even though passively, sympathize with the claims of the Hudson's Bay Company and England. However, all the Catholics did not side with England, silently or otherwise, but openly and actively espoused the cause and claims of the Ameri- cans. De Smet, the greatest of them all, was a naturalized American citizen and heartily advocated the American side, as did also Etienne Lucier, F. X. Mat- thieu and some others.
Blanchet was first of all things, a priest and servant of the church, and for the whole of his career, was an active and untiring worker to establish parishes and ​
church schools. Blessed with good health, an even temper, and great organizing ability, he pushed the work of his church for a longer and unbroken service of years than any other priest or preacher at the head of church work, save only that of the Methodist leader, William Roberts. Other ministers have lived longer and worked longer, but they were not at the head of affairs and did not bear the responsibilities which bore down on Roberts and Blanchet for more than a gen- eration of men. It was Francis Norbert Blanchet, who practically laid the foun- dations of Catholicism in all the country west of the Rocky mountains and north of California.
Another priest and co-worker with Archbishop Blanchet deserves to be re- membered as one of the most effective workers the church ever had in Portland. "Father" Fierens, as he was affectionately remembered, was about the most force- ful, effective and popular priest that ever served the church in this city. And it is a little singular that the name of this faithful priest is not found in any of the histories of Oregon. With a bluff exterior and rather brusque manners, he was possibly not very popular with college bred gentlemen. But under that exterior, beat one of the warmest hearts, and most honest hearts that ever gave life to a noble and conscientious man. It was his labor that built up the great Catholic congregation on Stark street between Second and Third, where it seemed some- times, when Fierens preached, that half of the population of the town went to hear him. He served the church at a period in its life in this city, when "the laborers were few," and being a big man in every way, a great load was laid on his shoulders. It was to his credit that he carried it without a murmur, without money and without price ; and by his hearty good will to both Protestant and Catholic, extended the power and influence of the church in Portland as no other priest ever did before or since.
ARCHBISHOP CHRISTIE.
Pre-eminently noteworthy among the prelates who have served the Catholic church in Portland is the present archbishop, Most Rev. Alexander Christie. Writing of the tenth anniversary of his rule and service in the diocese of Oregon City, a fellow churchman admirer of the archbishop's truthfully says :
"There are anniversaries of men and institutions which serve merely to call attention to the flight of years; which recall no achievement of more than momen- tary importance ; not of this kind is the tenth anniversary of Archbishop Christie in his metropolitan see. The decade of years that has elapsed since his coming to Oregon has been filled with achievement. He has built broadly and securely on the foundation laid by his zealous and saintly predecessors and the pioneer clergy.
His epoch will be known as the building epoch of the Catholic church in this arch diocese. New parishes have been erected and manned with an able clergy. Churches, schools, hospitals, homes, orphanages and other institutions in great numbers have been built and equipped under his direction. It is a common place among the people of the northwest that new comers are more apt than our old residents to see the growth that must come to this region. Certainly, Arch- bishop Christie, from the very beginning of his residence among us, was aware of what his new home is destined to be, and he made plans in accordance with his vision of the future. Throughout his extensive diocese he had anticipated the needs of the coming time, and has persuaded his people to make ready for the great Catholic population that is to be here. In buying land and in planning buildings, he has looked beyond immediate needs, and already his optimistic judg- ment has been more than justified in a score of communities."
The archbishop has taken a leading position of influence in public morals and civic improvements, as well as the leaderships of his church from his very advent to this city. More than any other churchman, it is in the power of the archbishop to wield a mighty influence for the public welfare. His high positio ​n demands
his best efforts for the public weal as well as the prosperity of his church; and it is a pleasure to record that in this respect he has fulfilled every demand and expectation of every impartially minded good citizen.
The old questions of dogmas, creeds and ethics between the Protestant and Catholic churches, will of course, go on in endless discussion. But all church- men, and all good citizens must see, and act in concert, to educate and restrain that vast population that acknowledges no church, no creed, no country, and no God.
Archbishop Christie is a native of Highgate, Vermont; about the last place to find a great Catholic preacher. In early life he was taken to Wisconsin and later to Minnesota, where he entered St. John's university in that state and was educated by the Benedictine Fathers. His first parish was at Minnesota ; from that station he was promoted to the bishoprick of Vancouver's island, B. C, and from Vancouver, promoted to the office of archbishop of Oregon City. Here he has officiated with great success for the last ten years.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first Protestant Episcopal church service held on the Pacific coast dates back to the year 1579, when the Rev. Francis Fletcher, by the authority of "good Queen Bess" accompanying that royal rake and genteel pirate Sir Francis Drake, held a service at Drake's bay on the coast o'f California in the latter part of June,
1579-
To commemorate these services held on the shores of Drake's bay, a 'Prayer
Book Cross" was erected in the year 1894 by the generosity of Mr. George W.
Childs, of Philadelphia, through Bishop Nichol's agency, on the site in Golden
Gate park, San Francisco, tendered by the park commissioners of that city.
The first services of the prayer book within the territory of Oregon and Washington of which we have any knowledge of record were held by Rev. Mr. Beaver, chaplain to the Hudson's Bay Company, at Vancouver, in the year 1836. Mr. Beaver held services at Vancouver and Cathlamet, in Wahkiakum County, but there is no record of his having held any services within the present territory of Oregon. So far as known at present, the very first services of this church within the borders of this state, were held by the Rev. Mr. Fackler at Champoeg, and possibly Oregon City, between the years 1848 and 1851, of which, however, we have no particulars. The first recognition of the board of missions (to which in one sense the church owes everything it has in all this western country) of Oregon and Washington as a proper and inviting field for missionary efforts, was in the year 185 1, when the Rev. Wm. Richmond of the diocese of New York, was chosen and appointed its first missionary. Mr. Richmond on his appoint- ment, promptly set out for his distant field, by the way of the isthmus, and reached Portland in time to hold his first service and to organize the first church — Trinity church — on the i8th of May, 185 1. On the next Sunday, May 25th, he held his first service in Oregon City, and organized St. Paul's church. Mr. Richmond's finding the Rev. St. Michael Fackler, a clergyman of the church, from the diocese of Missouri, already here though entirely unknown to the board of missions, was a matter of great surprise, but of much pleasure to one who had come single handed and alone to this distant field. Mr. Fackler was soon appointed a missionary of the board upon Mr. Richmond's earnest recommenda- tion and became a most valuable co-adjutor in the work. The Rev. James A. Woodward, of the diocese of Pennsylvania, who like Mr. Fackler, had come to this mild climate in the pursuit of health, became a missionary of the board in 1853, and the Rev. John McCarty, a chaplain of the United States army, came to the same work in the month of January of the same year.
The first notice taken of Oregon by the Episcopalians of the eastern states was a meeting at St. Bartholomew's church in New York city on the 23d of March, 1851. Steps were taken at that meeting to send a missionary to Oreg ​on, and
which resulted in the above selection of Mr. Richmond. And after the reader has stopped to think of all the missionaries sent out to Oregon, he will conclude that Oregon was considered by the eastern people to be a very dark corner of the earth, if not worse. But the following little poem, composed and read at that first meeting in New York by the poet, Martin Tupper, is well calculated to make the Oregon pioneers feel kindly towards their old friends in Gotham.
Push on to earth's extremest verge, —
And plant the gospel there.
Till wide Pacific's angry surge
Is soothed by Christian pray'r;
Advance the standard, conquering van !
And urge the triumph on.
In zeal for God and love for man.
To distant Oregon !
Faint not, O soldier of the cross,
Its standard-bearer thou !
All California's gold is dross
To what thou winnest now !
A vast realm wherein to search
For truest treasure won,
God's jewels — in his infant church
Of newborn Oregon.
Thou shalt not fail, thou shalt not fall !
The gracious living word
Hath said of every land, that all
Shall glorify the Lord;
He shall be served from east to west,
Yea — to the setting sun —
And Jesus's name be loved and blest
In desert Oregon.
Then Brothers ! help in this good deed.
And side with God today!
Stand by His servant, now to speed
His Apostolic way ;
Bethlehem's everleading star
In mercy guides him on
To light with holy fire from afar
The star of Oregon.
Mr. Richmond describes his first service in Portland as follows :
"Portland, Oregon, June 29, 1851.
"We had services in our own place, for the first time this morning. The use of the public school house has been granted us. There was one female present, and her little daughter and about twenty men. The services at night were at- ^ tended by about thirty men, no female. Most of the few men who will attend I our services here, are without their families, or are single men. There is a constant change in the population, and, I suppose, in the congregations. The Methodist clergyman has about fifty communicants ; and the Congregationalists whose house of worship has just been completed and opened for two Sundays, has ten communicants."
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL FOUNDER.
Thomas Fielding Scott was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church, sent to Portland and Oregon. His diocese embraced the territory of Oregon, ​Washington and Idaho. And when he arrived in Portland, April, 1854, there were only three priests or ministers of his church in all this vast domain; and to copy his own words from a letter written by him at the time, "there are not twenty communicants of the church in my whole jurisdiction, and the number is even less if you look for those who are really interested in the work." There was not at that time a single church building of the Episcopal church in all Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and Bishop Scott was given the task of erecting a church in the largest wilderness in the whole United States.
Bishop Scott was a scholarly man, a great preacher, writer and thinker rather than an active and successful organizer. He did however, commence a great work in Oregon. He founded churches and schools, he visited much among all sorts of people; and his dignity, kindly manner, commanding presence and great ability as a pulpit orator, so greatly impressed every man and woman that heard him preach or met him socially, or in their homes, that it is safe to say, that no churchman has ever lived or taught in Oregon who made a deeper or more favorable impression than Bishop Scott. There was probably nO' man in the whole United States that was more famihar with the history of the church, and of all churches and creeds. The subject was so perfectly clear in his mind that it was his wonder and constant thought that any Christian could be anything but an Episcopalian, after learning the history of the church. And nothing pleased him better than to get a brother Protestant or Catholic cornered on an argument as to whose was the true church. He once related to the author of this book an amusing anecdote on himself, as to how he got a very valuable book fom Bishop Blanchet. Having learned that the Catholic priest was the possessor of a work in Latin that contained important evidence on the old battle ,about the "apostolical succession," and not then having personal acquaintance with Bishop Blanchet, and assuming that the bishop would not care to have him see that book, it occurred to him as he was passing Blanchet's little residence and office on the west side of Fourth street, above where the city hall is now located, that he would go in and see the bishop's secretary in the bishop's absence from home ; and possibly the secretary would show him the coveted book. "And so I went in," said the good bishop, "and told the secretary my wishes, and he said, 'certainly, with pleasure I will let you see the book,' and got it ofif the shelf, saying, 'sit down and read as long as you like.' I soon found," continued the bishop, "the subject that in- terested me and read all the author had to say, and then returned the book to the secretary, thanking him for the courtesy. Then starting to leave I got as far as the office door, when Bishop Blanchet, who had not been absent, but in a back room, writing all the time, ran after me and catching me by the coat tails, as I was closing the door, cried out, 'Come back now, come back you old heretic, and I'll have it out with you now.' Of course I had to go back, and did go back, and for two hours we had a jolly, good talk, never mentioned the Apostles or any of their successors, got well acquainted ; and on my leaving he made me a present of the book, saying he could get another copy from Rome." Bishop Scott died at New York in 1867.
THE WORK OF BISHOP MORRIS.
Benjamin Wistar Morris was the second bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church of the diocese of Oregon. And it might be said for him as the Roman general said of himself: "Veni, Vidi, Vici" — I came, I saw, I conquered.
The unfortunate death of Bishop Scott left the Episcopalian flock in Oregon without a shepherd for two years before Bishop Morris was chosen and sent out. The church in the east carefully scanned the whole field before selecting their man ; and then called him from one of the wealthiest and most desirable places in the whole church — the parish of Germantown, a suburb of Philadelphia. All favoring circumstances seemed to combine to mark the selection as the favorite of destiny. Talent, genius, eloquence, high birth, a great name, a pure and un​selfish heart, he was to be one of the greatest, if not the very greatest bishop of his church.
Full of charity and good work, not only to his church, and to his own people, but to all men, he entered upon a great and trying field with great confidence; and never did one achieve a larger or more signal success. Bishop Morris was the personification of modest deportment, and strictly followed the injunctions to "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God." But the spirit, the fire, and the power was in him. Endowed with great natural abilities, as one born to command, he assumed the great responsibility of his office with the entire conservation of every faculty, and his whole soul to the service of his church, and his Lord and Master. He brought teachers with him and founded St. Helens hall, which has been a great success as the girls' school of the church. He founded the Bishop Scott grammar school, which has been succeeded by the Hill military school. H^e founded the Good Samaritan hospital, which, with its nurses, training school and home, now covers two city blocks, and representing with its endowed funds, over half a million dollars.
Like St. Paul, Bishop Morris traveled far and wide over his vast diocese, covering the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, preaching everywhere in school houses, ware houses, cross roads, and gathering in the scattered sheep of the wandering flock. His services as a bishop outranked all others of his church in length of service, and far surpassed all others in the results achieved. He came to be the oldest bishop in the church ; and if the position had been regarded with the consideration and dignity that attaches in the mother church of England, Benjamin Wistar Morris, the bishop of Oregon, was the Primate of the Protestant Episcopal church of America. Founder of hundreds of churches, and of hospitals and schools, head of all the churches of his denomination, living and working up to the age of four score and six, passing away full of honors and years with the love and respect of all men, and at his own request, buried in a plain pine box — what a glorious life and glorious end — something for Portland and Oregon to be proud of for all her future years.
Bishop Morris was a lineal descendant of Robert Morris, the financier of the American revolution, the intimate and trusted friend of George Washington ; and who, as furnishing "the sinews of the war" stood next to Benjamin Franklin in the matchless triumvirate of Washington, Franklin and Morris, carried the infant colonies through the seven years' war, and founded this great nation. Bishop Morris married a lineal descendant of Caesar Rodney, (a sister of the Misses Rodney of St. Helens hall) one of the signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence, and being the signer that made a majority in its adoption, and sundered the ties between England and her rebellious colonies.
It cannot be out of place to connect the history of this far distant western city, through the blood and lineage of those who have so signally labored to found the institutions of religion and education, with the soul stirring events that called our nation into existence.
When the Declaration of Independence was coming up for the final vote for adoption or rejection, Caesar Rodney, a delegate from Delaware was absent at home eighty miles from Philadelphia. A messenger had been dispatched to warn him of the danger of defeat, and at which he at once mounted his favorite horse and sped away to Independence hall. From Frederick Myron Colby's vivid description of that ride we copy the following lines:
CAESAR RODNEY'S RIDE.
"Saddle the black !i My country shall be free!
What's eighty miles? The ride's for liberty."
Stern Caesar Rodney, with his heart aglow,
Spoke these brave words, and rode for weal or woe.
(Improve this image)
O'er echoing bridges and by dreaming rills,
Passed dewey meadows and passed silent mills;
Passed ghostly houses staring from the hill,
And sleeping hamlets lying calm and still.
On, like a meteor, through the summer night
Spurred Caesar Rodney in his whirlwind flight.
The stars grew pale, the morn dawned bright and fair;
The rising mist dispersed in sultry air;
And still upon that sandy stretch of road
The dust clouds showed where Caesar Rodney rode,
Yet twenty miles away the city lay;
Would freedom speed him on to win the day ?
Hot was the air in Independence hall,
Where our young nation framed her Protocol.
A tremor passed along the waiting crowd —
A murmured terror spoke not aloud ;
For unborn liberty beheld dismayed
The factions, man to man, in tie arrayed.
O, for one voice to shout a ringing note!
One more true patriot to cast his vote! The states are called, and scarcely men draw breath,
The noisy clamor sinks to hush of death,
For lack of one more champion of its worth,
Can this great declaration fall to earth?'
The crush about the doorway sways and stirs,
As, dust encrusted, and with whip and spurs.
Tossing his bridle to the waiting crowd,
Enters a rider, just as called aloud
Is "Delaware," a voice rings clear and free!
"Here! Caesar Rodney votes for Liberty!"
O ! Let his name resound through all the earth ;
His was the voice that gave our nation birth.
While still Columbia no despot fears,
Let us the tale relate through coming years ;
Speak Caesar Rodney's name with freeman's pride
And give the tribute due his striving ride.
THE PRESBYTERIANS OF PORTLAND.
The First Presbyterian church organized west of the Rocky mountains was the one at Clatsop Plains in Clatsop County, Oregon, looking directly out on the great Pacific ocean. This church was organized by Rev. Lewis Thompson, September 19, 1846.
Previous to the organization of the First Presbyterian church, Presbyterians upon their arrival in Portland found here no church home. The Congregational brethren had preceded them and established a house of worship. The two denominations are not so wide apart in their belief. It is therefore not surprising that Presbyterians affiliated with the Congregational church in Portland's early days.
We find, however, that Presbyterians assisted in the organization of this First Congregational church. The original records of the Congregational church are preserved and are now in the archives of the Oregon Historical Society.
​ociety.
On folio I, of this ancient "Record" it is stated, that on Sunday, June 15, 1 85 1, the organization of the First Congregational church was effected by choos- ing Rev. H. Lyman as pastor; and among others, who "manifested by rising, their willingness to become members and form the church," are found the names of Mr, and Mrs. W. P. Abrams, and D. K. Abrams. W. P. Abrams was chosen clerk pro tempore and the minutes are signed by him. At a meeting of the "male members," Saturday evening, July 5, 1851, W. P. Abrams and N. C. Sturtevant were chosen deacons. These being the first deacons of the First Congregational church.
And now, in this old "Record" (folios 29 and 30) appear these minutes bear- ing directly upon the organization of the First Presbyterian church, viz : —
"Portland, January i, 1854. This being the regular Sabbath for a season of communion, and as a prep- aratory lecture having been given last evening the ordinance was this morning celebrated according to arrangement. The number present was fewer than usual, owing to the absence of some, who were this day dismissed, according to their own request, to aid in forming an Old School Presbyterian church today in this city. The members dismissed were Brother James McKeown, Dea. W. P. Abrams, and Mrs. Sarah L. Abrams. It was unanimously voted that they should receive letters, showing their good and regular standing in this church, and also recommending them to the watch and fellowship of any evangelical church with which they may become connected. The season though saddened by the departure and absence of esteemed members was yet one of much interest.
H. Lyman,
Pastor."
A meeting of the Presbytery of Oregon was held, October 3, 1853, ^^ ^^e hall of the Canton House, in this city, then a village of 400 or 500 inhabitants. The following members of the Presbytery were present, viz : — Rev. J. L. Yantis, D. D., Rev. Ed. R. Geary, D. D., Rev. Lewis Thompson, Rev. Robert Robe, Rev. J. A. Hanna, and Elder Alva Condit. On the morning of this day Rev. J. L. Yantis preached in the First Congregation church, northwest corner of Second and Jefferson streets, and Rev. J. A. Hanna occupied the pulpit of the First Methodist church, then on Taylor street, between Second and Third. Of the members of this old Presbytery, but two are alive today, viz : Rev. Robert Robe, residing at Brownsville, Oregon, and Rev. J. A. Hanna, who resides at Los An- geles, California.
In the afternoon of the same day (Oct. 3, 1853) those interested met at the home of William P. Abrams, northwest corner of First and Jefferson streets, and a petition to the Presbytery was prepared asking authority to organize a church. The request was granted and Dr. J. L. Yantis appointed to carry the same into effect. A few weeks later Rev. Geo. P. Whitworth and family arrived in the ter- ritory and Dr. Whitworth was invited to assist Dr. Yantis in the work.
Previous to the organization of the church Dr. Whitworth preached for sev- eral weeks in the hall of the old Canton House. And in the same building, on the morning of January i, 1854, Dr. Yantis preached from Luke 12:32 ("Fear not little flock") and in the afternoon of this day a preliminary meeting was held at the residence of W. P. Abrams, First and Jefferson streets, and steps were taken to organize the church. Messrs. Wm. P. Abrams and James McKeown, were elected elders. The following entry was made by Dr. Whitworth in his diary at the time : "In the afternoon met at Mr. Abrams' and organized church with ten members."
The installation of the elders and the organization of the church was com- pleted on Sunday evening, January i, 1854, in this old historic structure, i. e., the hall in the Canton House. At this meeting there were no other ministers present but Dr. Yantis and Dr. ​Whitworth.
Many are curious to know who these first ten members were. There is no accessible record giving this information, but Mrs. W. P. Abrams and Dr. Whit- worth have recalled the names of eight, viz: Mrs. Sarah H. Thomson, Mrs. Mary Eliza Whitworth, (Dr. Whitworth's wife) Miss Sarah Jane Thomson, Miss Mary Joanna Thomson (now Mrs. Mary J. Beaty), W. P. Abrams, Mrs. W. P. Abrams, James McKeown and Archibald H. Bell. Mrs. Sarah H. Thom- son was the mother of Mrs. Whitworth and the Misses Thomson were the grand- daughters of Mrs. Sarah H. Thomson. Of the above but two are alive today, i.e., Mrs. M. J. Beaty, who resides near Olympia, Wash., and Mrs. W. P. Abrams living in Portland.
The first elders were : W. P. Abrams and James McKeown.
And they had a choir for the church in 1854; and excellent music was fur- nished. A few of these early singers are alive whilst others have "passed beyond" and are now members of the "choir invisible." Of the old choir John C. Car- son and Captain W. S. Powell are the only survivors. Captain Powell still en- joys singing and is now a member of the noted "Veteran Quartette."
The church was re-organized August 4, i860, and after such reorganization the first pastor was Rev. P. S. Caffrey.
The first members received at this re-organization were: S. M. Hensill, Israel Mitchell, Mrs. Mary Robertson, Mrs. Margaret Smith, Mrs. Eliza Ains- worth, Mrs. M. Jane Hensill, Mrs. Frances Sophia Law, Mrs. Sarah J. Mead, Miss Lenora Blossom, James McKeown, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Blossom, A. H. Bell, Mrs. Jerusha Hedges, Mrs. Caroline Couch, Mrs. C. A. Ladd, Mrs. Polono Clark, and Mrs. Agnes Grooms.
THE WORK OF DR. A. L. LINDSLEY.
Passing over the intermediate period of the history of the Presbyterians, if is found that the first decisive impulse given to the propaganda of this religious denomination at this point, came in with the advent of Rev. Aaron Ladner Lind- sley. By the usual routine of church business, Dr. Lindsley, who had been preaching to a congregation at South Salem in the state of New York, was called to the First Presbyterian church of this city in July, 1868. The same time he was offered the pastorate of churches at San Francisco and other inviting positions, but concluded to accept the call to Portland as a field that would give a great opportunity to his ambition to do missionary work. Dr. Lindsley seemed to be providentially selected for this great field of religious and intellectual effort. It appealed to him in every way. Here had come Lee, Whitman, Blanchet, and De Smet, all of them heroes and devoted soldiers of the cross. Here around about the outskirts of civilization was a vast population of native children of the forest, appealing by their very weakness to- the sympathies of the large hearted apostles of Christianity. And here too were the reckless innocent, the inexperi- enced youth, and the vicious from all lands, to be restrained, to be taught, to be warned and to be saved from their thoughtlessness, their excesses and their vices. The position demanded a leader with courage, force and talent. No knight of the cross ever entered the lists in the service of His master with keener zest to work and conquer. He came to Portland at the age of fifty-one years, and found a church with 87 members. And after eighteen years' service he parted with his congregation to take the chair of practical theology in the San Francisco The- ological seminary, leaving a united and vigorous church, to which 745 new mem- bers had been added during his pastorate.
But his work and influence was not limited to his own congregation. As a pulpit orator he was without a peer on the Pacific coast, and his services were in demand over a wide field. For twelve years he was chairman of an executive committee to which was committed the superintendence of missions in the north- west. He himself organized twenty-one churches, and dedicated twenty-two. The amount of traveling, correspondence, care and labor involved in this work ​
was enormous. When he came to Oregon he found one Presbytery and four- teen ministers, and saw the work grow into three Presbyteries, 52 ministers and 63 churches, before he quit his chosen field. And to this work he had not only given largely of his own labor, but his own congregation had contributed the sum of $240,000 to aid new churches and other church work. He was truly em- phatically the Presbyterian bishop of the northwest.
But great as this evangelistic work was to his own people, and his own race, his mission to the poor benighted heathen sitting in darkness, was even vastly greater. And it was this work that most touched his heart, inspired his greatest sacrifices, and fixed his zeal to the utmost limit of service and activity. He vis- ited the Indian reservations and his heart was stirred within him as he saw their destitution and degradation. He preached and prayed and labored with them until missions were firmly established among the Nez Perces, Puyallups, Uma- tillas and Spokanes, and earning from them the title — "Father of the Indian."
But this was not all. Soon after the United States acquired the great terri- tory of Alaska, Dr. Lindsley met William H. Seward, the great statesman of Lin- coln's cabinet, who had purchased Alaska from Russia, and conferred with him about missionary operations in that region. Secretary Seward assured Dr. Lind- sley of his hearty support in carrying out his cherished plan of Christianizing the Indians. And thereupon Dr. Lindsley at once actively entered upon the mission- ary work in Alaska. And after failing to enlist the support of the missionary boards of the eastern states impatient of their inactivity, he began the work in Alaska at his own expense, and that of his congregation. He sent J. C. Malloy the first missionary to Alaska. He sent .Mrs. McFarland, one of his members to Alaska as the first teacher to that region. He went up in person and or- ganized the first church there (other than the Greek church at Sitka, founded by the Russians.) He made the personal acquaintance of the Indian chiefs of that region, and so impressed them with the beneficent influences of Christianity, that a chief of the Stahkeen tribe adopted him as a son, made him a chief and con- ferred upon him the name of "Tenatac" (The Priceless Name) the highest honor the Alaskans could think of, and the only white man ever receiving from them, such a distinction.
And yet notwithstanding this record, others have sought to give to another — Rev. Sheldon Jackson — the honor of introducing missions in Alaska. The whole question has been fully and impartially investigated by leading teachers and min- isters of the church who have reported without personal bias in any way, that :
"Dr. Lindsley began the Alaskan mission work. He carried it on his heart for years before the east realized its importance. He sustained it for a time out of his own purse, and sent the first laborers at his own expense. To the First Presbyterian church of Portland, Oregon, and its pastors, and not to another are to be traced the beginning of that splendid work in the far north which is now the admiration of the church throughout the land."
While Dr. Lindsley possessed marked talents as a poet, and great talents as a pulpit and platform orator, he possessed more than these. He had great native energy, industry, and untiring persistence. By years of hard work he accumu- lated resources for still larger tasks. At the age of fifty-one he commenced the real battle of his life as a father of his church in the great northwest. At the age of sixty he had made his position, as the pastor of a church in a city of 30,000 people, more prominent and influential than the best pulpit in New York or Chi- cago. At the age of seventy, he had created out of unorganized and incoherent materials, scattered over a territory greater than New England, a Presbyterian province greater than any New England state. His name and career is one that will honor the city of Portland when all its millionaires are forgotten.
But Dr. Lindsley's activities and influence was not wholly confined to the boundaries of the church. He took an active and discriminating part in moulding public opinion in favor of higher standards in politics, and for the purest and
(Improve this image)
AARON LADNER LINDSLEY, D. D. ​tract, from an address delivered in this city on the life and character of Daniel Webster. Speaking of the unscrupulous methods of conducting presidential elections, Dr. Lindsley, says:
"This stupenduous system of fraud and corruption may not be countenanced by the prominent aspirants for office, and are not approved by the great body of patriotic citizens, but we are all in some degree responsible for them when we do not protest against them, and do nothing to prevent them.
It is a fact that seekers for the presidency seldom gain the great office. It is a melancholy experience in political life that ambition for office is a consuming ambition from town constable upward. To win, when it becomes a passion, makes the man miserable who is not continually climbing up on the shoulders of his opponents. The disappointment of the great majority of the aspirants does not cool their ardor. It is like gambling and gold hunting, and diving after pearls. There are many blanks to a single prize; and the prize falls to him who does not seek it."
Dr. Lindsley was one of the first, if not the very first, to agitate the question of reforming juvenile delinquents; and in the light of his work on this subject he might well be considered the father of both the state reform school and the juvenile court. As long ago as the year 1876, he commenced to talk, write and speak in public on the great importance of active and permanent measures to save the boys from the demoralization and vices of city life. On January i, 1876, Dr. Lindsley and Dr. T. L. Elliot issued a circular letter to leading citizens throughout the state, and procured from officers of reform schools in other states copies of laws and regulations for such schools, in order to secure concerted and intelligent action on the subject. And from that movement, the Oregon State Reform School was secured through legislative action; and later on, following up the same line of reform, came the juvenile court and the detention home.
Dr. Lindsley was born at Troy, New York, March 4, 181 7. His father was an architect, losing his life by falling from a building when the son was but seven years old. By this misfortune, the boy was forced to enter the battle of fife at an early age. For some time he worked as a printer, and at the age of twenty-two became associate editor of the Troy Whig newspaper. He entered a scientific school and graduated as a civil engineer; and later on entered Union college at Schenectady, from which he graduated. Here he was converted, gave up the profession of engineer, entered a theological seminary, from which he graduated in 1845, went west and preached as a missionary at Waukaska, Wisconsin, for six years.
No estimate can be made of the value and influence of such a man, and such a life, in such a city as Portland, and a new country like Oregon. It is beyond all estimation, above all praise, and immeasurable. Such men never die.
There is no death to him who leaves behind Memorial pillars, institutes and schools; That fashion morals, elevate the mind. Holding the soul to heaven's eternal rules, The builder may depart to higher spheres. The work remains thro time's applauding years.
THE WORK OF THE HEBREWS.
No notice of the religious and ethical development of city life in Portland can fail to observe the great work done by the Hebrew congregations. Proceeding in a modest and unpretentious way, the Jews (to use the common name) have accomplished, and are accomplishing a great work for the welfare of the city. And so quietly and successfully does their work gather force and attract strength that few people know anything about it until they look for the cause ​
after seeing the results. Their plans of helping the poor and controlling the boys and girls by the "neighborhood house" have accomplished great good wherever established. Thoroughly loyal to American institutions, they are the most enthusiastic and liberal supporters, not only of the public school system, but also of sectarian schools organized by the churches that have always more or less proscribed if not openly persecuted the Jews. Such generosity as this is hard to find in human nature, yet the school records in the city shows it to be the fact.
It used to be taken for granted that the Jews could have nothing to do with and would have no religious associations with the so-called Christians ; yet we find in this city hundreds of Jewish ladies freely giving their time, co-operation and money to maintain and enlarge charitable work started by Protestant and Catholic influences. Fifty years ago a Protestant church would no more have thought of inviting a Jew to lay the cornerstone of a church building than they would have ventured to offer a prayer to his Satanic majesty. Yet within the last year Joseph Simon, mayor of the city, and a Jew from one of the highest seats of the Sanhedreim, has laid the cornerstone of a great charity established by a Presbyterian of Presbyterians, and laid the cornerstone of a Methodist church, a Protestant of all the Protestants.
This is not mentioned to be excepted to, but to show that Portland, Oregon, is not only one of the most liberal, religious and enlightened cities in the world in this year of 1910, but it is also to be ranked as the place where religious work and worth must be rated for what it really does for humanity, rather than what it professed to do.
And as of old, the Hebrews are producing great orators and teachers. Rabbi Stephen Wise, who preached for years to a Portland congregation, and is now preaching to one of the largest congregations of New York city, was not only a great preacher of righteousness, but a popular, instructive and talented lecturer on public and educational topics, whose services were sought by all classes of religious thought and expression. Young men like Rabbi Wise, devoting their lives to the reformation of society and the welfare of their fellow man without regard to creed or color, are hard to find. Instead of devoting his life to a profession, where wealth and political preferment would be the easy reward of such talents as his, he conscientiously devotes his life to the moral and spiritual welfare, as well as the bodily welfare of the great human brotherhood.
OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES.
The notice given to the oldest and most prominent churches and preachers by no means include all worthy of notice, and which would be fully reviewed if space would permit. All the denominations here sent their ablest and most efii- cient men to this field. And Oregon and Portland has been so distinguished by its men and its laws and institutions, that it is difficult to select or to find a stopping place short of a whole book.
And the same activity that has already secured such great results^ and at- tracted the attention of the whole country, is now more active and efficient than ever, and especially is this the case in the matter of churches and schools. The following review has recently been made by the Oregonian :
"That Portland is a church city has never been emphasized more strongly than during the past year. Although supplied with many beautiful and imposing houses of worship, the rapid increase in population and the extension of the residence districts have necessitated new structures and the various congrega- tions have given liberally for this purpose.
Construction of new churches in Portland during the past year, including those which have recently been completed, and others now under way, repre- sents an outlay of more than $700,000. The greater part of this amount isgoing for the construction of attractive and modern edifices in the newer residence ​
sections. The older west side has only three or four new church projects, but on the east side fully twenty-five church buildings are now under way, or have been completed within the past few months.
Portland has always been known as a church city. All the leading denomina- tions are represented by flourishing congregations, and most of the smaller sects also have societies here. Among the clergymen of Portland are a number who have a national reputation. Most of the large city churches help maintain branches in the suburban districts, which, as the population of each particular section increases, become self-supporting and often grow into large and thriv- ing congregations. Besides the heavy expense of supporting their own organ- izations, Portland churches always contribute largely to home and foreign mis- sions.
Strangers in Portland invariably express their admiration of the finest churches in the central west side residence district. Among the most beautiful are the First Baptist, better known as the White Temple, the First Congrega- tional, the First Presbyterian, and Trinity Episcopal, while many others would be considered attractive ornaments in any city.
One of the most beautiful churches under construction is that of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, which is being erected at 19th and Everett streets at a cost of approximately $100,000. This building, which is to seat twelve hun- dred people, will probably be ready for occupancy by Christmas day. Another $100,000 church, which will be completed this year at East Pine and East Eleventh streets, and the pastor of which is Rev. Father J. H. Black.
The Methodists, south, completed several months ago, a beautiful stone edifice located at Union avenue and Multnomah street, and its pastor is Rev. E. J. Mowre. Its cost, furnished, was $75,000. Both the Methodists and Congrega- tionalists are building churches in Sunnyside, and the two structures will be among the most attractive east side edifices. The Congregationalists are build- ing at East Taylor and East Thirty-second streets, at a cost of $30,000. The pastor is Rev. J. J. Staub. A Methodist church is going up at East Yamhill and East Thirty-fifth streets. The cost will be $26,000, and the pastor is Rev. T. W. Euster. Both of these buildings will be completed this year.
In addition to these buildings, a very handsome edifice is that of the Central Christian church. East 20th and East Salmon streets. This building, which is to cost $75,000 and seat seventeen hundred people, is being erected under the direction of Rev. J. F. Ghormley, and will be finished this year.
Other Portland church buildings now in course of construction or just com- pleted are as follows :
First United Presbyterian church, which was dedicated in October at Sixth and Montgomery streets. The pastor is Rev. Frank D. Findley, and the cost was $13,000.
Mt. Tabor Methodist, Base Line road, cost $15,000; Rev. J. W. McDougall, pastor. Will be finished this year.
Mt. Tabor Presbyterian, Belmont and E. 55th streets, cost $12,000; Rev. E. M. Sharp, pastor. Construction soon to begin.
Trinity Methodist, Ladd Addition; cost $25,000; Rev. F. L. Smith, pastor. Will be completed this year.
Greek Church, E. 7th and Clinton streets; cost $15,000; just completed.
Pilgrim Congregational church. Shaver street and Missouri avenue; cost $15,000; Rev. Guy L. Dick, pastor; recently dedicated.
Epworth Methodist, Twenty-sixth and Savier; cost $10,000; Rev. Chas. P. McPherson, pastor ; dedicated early last year.
Central Methodist, Vancouver avenue and Fargo street; cost $12,000; Rev. L. C. Hamilton, pastor; completed.
First United Evangelical, Ladd's Addition; cost $15,000; Rev. H. A. Deck, pastor; finished th ​is year.
First English Evangelical, East 6th and E. Market streets ; cost $10,000 ; Rev. Frank B. Culver, pastor; completed this year.
German Methodist, Rodney avenue and Stanton street; cost $7,500; nearly completed.
Highland Baptist, Alberta and East 7th streets; cost $7,500; Rev. E. A. Leon- ard, pastor. Just completed.
Danish Lutheran, Vancouver avenue and Skidmore street; cost $15,000; fin- ished.
United Evangelical, Willamette boulevard and Denver avenue; cost $8,000; Rev. J. Bowersox, pastor.
Ascension CathoHc, Montavilla; cost $15,000; pastor, Rev. J. P. Fitzpatrick.
St. Stevens Episcopal, East Taylor and East 44th streets, cost $15,000; fin- ished.
St. Andrew's Episcopal, Highland; cost $10,000; finished.
Rose City Park Presbyterian; cost $10,000; completed this year.
Third United Brethren, South Mt. Tabor; cost $2,500; finished.
First Universalist, East Twenty-fourth and Broadway; cost $15,000; Rev. J. D. Corby, pastor; cornerstone was laid by President Taft on recent western trip.