The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-15

/ w. P. Winans, clerk of the session
has written history of the First Cum
berland Presbyterian church of this
city which will prove of interest to all
church people. 1t follows:
Walla Walla. Wash, Feb. IA.
The First Cumberland Presbyterian
church was organized January 5, 1873,
by Rev. H. w. Eagan in the old court
house. which stood where Betz brew
cry now stands. with seven members.
viz
J. NJ. Reed, j. ID. Reed. Joel Har-
grove, Martha Hargrove. DIR. w. 3.
SimontOn, Mary Coulter and Elizabeth
A. Egan. Of whom Joel Hargrove, J. NJ.
Reed and DR.. w. B. Simonton, were
chosen and ordained elders
All of these have gone to their re-
ward.
During the first year of the organiza-
ton 1878, IL others united with the
church. Among them were John F.
Mclean, Mrs. Martha Lowell, n. F.
Butler and DR.. n. G. Blalock. who are
still hOnored members of our church
Bro. Eagan and H. E. Johnson who is
now honored member of another de-
nomination in this city served the
church until January l. 1882 nine years
when the church regretfully accepted
his resignation.
During the nine years he was pastor
he received 202 persons into the
church. and also organized congreGa-
tons at Weston, Blue Mountains and
Dixie
1t might be we'll in this place to say
that Father EaCan preached in the old
court house until his congregation out
grew the building. then they rented in
February 1874 Stahls opera house on
| Main street the ground is now Oc-
cupied by the skating rink until they
| built the church on the corner of Third
and Popular streets, in 1876, at the
cost of $1,000, the money being contrib
uted by all classes of people, regard
less of profession or occupations. The
question of tainted money was not
under discussion in those days.
Father Eagan lived in this commune
ty until his 10Th year dying in 1898
universally loved and respected. En-
Gov. Moore, when told of his death said
for more than a quarter of a century
Father Eagan has been a familiar fig
ure on the streets of Walla Walla, al
ways cheerful. always with a kindly
word for the unfortunate. He was the
peoples favorite, no one will be more
sincerely mourned.'
During 1882, following Father Eagan's
passionate we had no settled pastor
Chaplain Wills of the L. S. Army
preached for the congregation. for a
few months. the Rev J. c. Van Patten
for a short time, then Rev. Neal
Chetham and Rev. A. w. Sweeney and
| Rev. P. &. Chamberlain. In the spring
Of 1888, Rev j. G. Crawford was called
as pastor. He stayed for about six
months then resigned, very much to
our regret and went to California
where he is now doing good work for
| the master
Then Rev. J. c. Van Patten came to
our relief, and held the organization
together, and preached for about year.
assisting us in securing another pastor.
/ Bro Van Patten has been our constant
adviser, helper and friend for more
than % years, although his home was
| in another city. He was always
ready to come in our time OF need. TO
| n
| courage. | do not know where our
| church would have been without him.
We all have a warm place in our heart
for Bro. Van Patten. In the winter OF
1885. Rev. J. C. Crisman preached for
us and the church increased in number,
some 46 additions during the SIX
months he was with us.
The amount paid preachers then was
not very large Our record shows 1or
January $4,000. for February $500,
for March $3.50 for April 1900. for
May $3.50, for June $4,000. an increas-
| ing scale.
II NAV not be generally known. that
| Rev. Nj. Gum, pastor of the Presbyter-
! ian church preached in our church LOT
several months in 1885, to both congfe-
! cations. So this is not the first tenta-
! tive union.
In April 1886. Rev. w. w. Beck was
called to the pastorate and preached
about IS months, during which time
some so Joined the church. lie re-
signed and went to Seattle. where ne
NOW resides Union evangelist services
under Dixson G. Williams were held
during Rev Beck's pastorate. In Oc-
tober 1887. Rev. f. G. Mclean loon
charge of our congregation and stayed
with us for five years, during winch
time he went east and his Alma Mater
made him a d. D. and our general as
spmb}v elected him moderator HOW
much Walla Walla climate had 10 40
! with it | cant tell. but the result was
| that the church at Evansville, lnd'
, diversified our pile and we with regrets
1.,,-n him IN about 100 additions 10 our