The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-04-12

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An anti-type of the religion Of Je-
sus Christ upon which 1t Is founded
and in the name of whom 1t is main
tanned, a power for good in the COM
munity, the growth in membership
and in strength In every way of the
Presbyterian church in North Yak
ina is thing that delights not only
the earnest, enthusiastic and Cody
man who presides over this church
and the members of the congregation
but everyone in the city who well
comes efforts toward advanced CIV
ilization and good citizenship. From
a little band o. six who first formed
the congregation in 1885, to one of
the largest church organizations in
the city is its history, and now, when
it has reached the highest point on
It's career, and the pastor and con-
gregation are bending every effort
to secure still greater results, Is a
timely occasion for few facts in
regard to its past history.
There were in 1885 but few pro-
Tossing Christian people in North
Yakima who were adherents to the
Presbyterian form of worship. On
March 20 of that year-just little
more than eighteen years ago-Mr.
and Mrs. Hugh X. Sinclair, Mr. and
Mrs. John McPhee, Mrs. Lizzie Stan
ton and ]. M. Lowrie met and were
organized into the Presbyterian
church, an incorporated body which
was known by this name until about
two years ago, when the articles of
incorporation were amended to
change the name to the First Pres
byterian church of North Yakima.
Hugh X. Sinclair was elected the
first elder of the church. 1t is inter-
esting to note t.laL he Is still serv
ing in the capacity of elder, and has
done so continuously since the
church was established. The organi-
cation was effected by Rev. John r.
Thompson, who enlisted and was
made chaplain of one Of the regi-
ments from this state in the war with
Spain, and who died in the Philip
pines during that war.
For many years the church here
was served by supply. Its growth
was slow, and the movement of it's
people was in and out, nearly as
many being dismissed as were re-
ceived. Four years ago the total
membership was 1873, and the place
of worship was in the small frame
building now an annex to the mag
nificent stone structure that stands
on the corner of Third and A streets.
This annex is now used for church
parlor purposes and as Sunday
school room for the primary class.
Rev. Hayden, upon assuming the
pastorate of the congregation found
the small church ample for the at
tendance at that time. Within three
months, however, it was necessary
to enlarge, rearrange and reseat the
building, and within a year or less
it was apparent that more room must
be provided and new church built
at once. The following year the mat
ter of building took form, the neces-
sary money was subscribed and the
building begun, and it was completed
just eighteen months after the COM
ing of DR.. Hayden to the city, at a
cost of about $12,500. 1t is one of
the most beautiful and best designed
churches in the state, it's size and ap-
pOintments being considered.
The last regular pastor in charge
OF the church before the incumbent
was Rev. COndit. Up to the time of
his coming the church had drawn
continuously from the home mission
funds, but with his assuming con-
troll became self-supportlng in all re-
spects, including the pastors salary.
The aggregate amount of contribu-
tons at that time to all causes was
about $1400 a year. Last year there
was raised in this manner about
$500, $4,000 a year ago and the
year before that $4,000.
The church has now an active To-
cal membership of 342. Like the
church, the Sunday school had
moderate growth up to year ago.
Good work in this line has been done,
as is shown by the fact that during
the past three or four years nearly
all members who have arrived at the
age at which they were capable of
decision have become members of
the church. about forty being re-
ceived last year on confession and
twenty this year. There are several
adult classes in the school which in
clude in their membership many OF
the business men and large number
of the women OF North Yakima. Elk
CelieHl WOTk Is DelnS UOne IN these
classes by the teachers, among whom
are II. X. Sinclair, w. S. Earles, J.
w. Young, J. o. Gull and Prof. N p.
Hull. Mrs. Watt, primary superin-
tendent for years, still holds this i'm
portant place, and is widely known as
one Of the best primary instructors
In the state. The prayer meeting, al
ways an index of and aid to spiritual
life, has grown through the years I'M
til the attendance is often from so
to 100. Its leading feature is bible
instruction.
The new church. a good likeness
of which is here given, was presumed
at the time 1t was built to be large
enough to accommodate the congre-
cation for years to come, but even
now the attendance is frequently so
large that the church parlors are
called into use. The necessity for
charging the building is already be-
ing seriously considered. The plan,
when carried into execution. will dis
place the present frame part of the
hnildtnu with addition th OF