The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-07-07
COMMUNITY CHURCH
WORK SUCCESSFUL

The continued growth of the River
side Community Church, after a trial
of lS months indicates that it is per-
manently established. The interest of
the congregation, uniting members
representing five former denomina-
tlons, and the expression of general
community pride in the church are
prophetic of its continued growth.
The new church draws not only from
the city, but residents from various
parts of the valley have been attracted
to the services. 1t has become the
general impression, gained perhaps
from complaints of pastors themselves.
that as the result of the call of the
open road and the allurement of mo-
toring schurch pews are often emptied
during the summer months. Such is
not the case in Hood River. Sunday
services of summer months draw just
as large crowds those of other sea-
sons. Lines of automobiles parked up
and down State street for blocks on
either side, however, indicate that
most of the worshippers travel by mo-
tor car.
That the local experiment is viewed
with keen interest in other parts of
the Northwest is plainly evidenced by
the urgent weekly appeals to the pas
tor, Rev. W. H.. Boldly, to reveal his
plans of organization. He is unable to
fill dates for addresses on the commun-
ity church idea.
Mr.. Boldly, formerly member of
the faculty of Reed College in Port
land, where he was a student also, be-
fore coming to Hood River was pastor
of a community church at Parkdale. |
He is an ordained Presbyterian minis
ter and moderator OF. the Eastern Ore
gon Presbytery. He has long been an
exponent of the community church for
rural communities. His personality |
and hiss earnest efforts in his cause
played substantial part in the sue
cess of the local church.
The Riverside Community church oc- /
cupies stone structure erected by the |
church. Two years
ago, discussion by various layman
resulted in the reorganization of the
church body and the formation of the
church. 1t was revealed
at the time that there. were many folk
)f Christian faith who were eager to
De united in church service but who
we're not willing to subscribe to the
reed or traditions of any particular
denomination.
An outstanding feature of the indie
pendent organization is that the pastor
nay be chosen without regard for de-
affilation. The benevol-
ences of the church are applied where
he greatest need is found, unless the
lifts are made for some particular
work.. Members are received as con-
essing: "The spiritual leadership of
esus Christ and of being in fellowship
With his purpose in the world"
From its inception the new idea in
workmanship has been popular in
iood River. The actual membership
as about doubled in the year and
af. The Sunday school has outgrown
he church and the trustees cOntem-
late an enlargement of their quarters.
The new church emphasizes COM
lunity service Under supervision of
ne Riverside Recreational committee
director of recreation for boys has
cen secured for the summer. A pro-
ram of directed play for all boys of Il
ne county has been instituted. The
is representative of the life
the city and is not confined to men,
ers of the community church itself.
he Sunday Evening Club. made a
eature of Sunday night meetings our
lg the winter months. has made a
wide appeal. The activity
the club is directed by the laymen
the church. 1t brings to Hood River L
)eakers of prominence who speak on
lbJects of general social interest.
everal musical concerts have been Il
ven under auspices of the Sunday h
vening Club. The church building is n
for four troops of Boy a
,outs, numbering about 200 members. a
ne young business and professional N
omen of the church have an organ d
alton called the "Tri Cs." They b
I've beautifully furnished room in d
e church building.
The independent church has not de.
eased the number of churches already n
re, although it has absorbed the
embers of two that were not in oper-
ion. Speaking on this matter. Mr..
Dddy said: n
We came not to destroy but to full n
|. We have built up large cOngre- X
tion of men and women who felt the
ed of church such as ours but, at
e same time, we have, | believe, n
mulated the work of every other u
lrch in the city. The relations be- j
cen Riverside church and other a
lrches of Hood River are most cor
Il"