Mukilteo, Washington - The City Of "Firsts" - Scene Of Indian Treaty - M. H (part 14 of 14)

First Methodist Episcopal Church

The First Methodist Episcopal Church began its work in the home of the wellknown pioneer of Everett - George W. Swalwell, who was a local preacher of much ability. So zealous were these early Methodists of Everett that this first meeting was held while the house was yet under construction, and those who attended worship were seated on planks which were raised from the floor on blocks of wood. This was in 1892, which was the date of the organization of the congregation. For some time meetings were held in W. G. Swalwell's office, and as interest increased the need of a church building became apparent. A _ building which cost $600 was erected on a lot which had been donated, on Maple Street, between Hewitt and California, and it was dedicated as a place of worship and named Wesley Hall. The formal organization of the church was the work of Rev. A. H. Marsh, and there were but nine members. On December 2, 1892, the church was incorporated by the following persons: G. W. Swalwell, W. G. Swalwell, J. B. Snyder, W. E. Sherfey, F. H. Mitchell, James Hambley, Alexander Watson, W. W. Black, and M. Swartout. The membership of this church increased rapidly and by 1900 it had entirely outgrown its first cramped quarters. A location was secured on the corner of Broadway and Wall and the work of building the present church edifice was begun. This congregation now numbers approximately nine hundred, and it is in a most prosperous condition. The church work is thoroughly systematized, with a working body of fourteen departments, all of which have recently cooperated in the erection of an educational hall adjoining the church building, which was dedicated June 25, 1926, and which represents a cost of about $8,000. A mission is also conducted on North Broadway. Much progress has been made by this church under the leadership of Dr. Robert J. Reid, who has been the pastor since 1921.

First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church was brought into existence by the interest and through the efforts of E. V. Judd. The first service was held in a public school room at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Maple Street, on January 1, 1893, with Rev. A. M. Starr of Oakland, Calif., officiating. Later a hall was secured as a meeting place, and on March 13, 1893, at the close of a morning service, Reverend Starr announced-that the time was ripe for the organization of a Congregational Church in Everett. The following gave their names for affiliation with the new congregation: E. V. Judd, J. P. Caithness, Mrs. J. P. Caithness, Jeanne Caithness, H. B. Smith, Mrs. H. B. Smith, M. B. McAuley, Mrs. Mary McAuley, Miss S. E. Judd, Walter Baptie, Emma Yule, Carl McAuley, Mrs. Jane Greene, Lyman B. Boynton, Mrs. Mattie Gode, Mrs. Martha Graham, Mrs. Della Boynton. Rev. T. W. Butler was the first pastor, and before the end of the year, 1893, the first permanent church was erected on Cedar Street, south of Hewitt. It was a small church, but at that time it was considered the finest in Everett. The church edifice' now used was dedicated in 1906, and is a fine structure on the corner of Everett and Rockefeller. Rev. W. H. L. Marshall is pastor, and the church now has approximately three hundred members and is in a most healthy condition.

Central Christian Church

The Central Christian Church followed the example of other organizations and utilized a public schoolhouse as its first place of meeting in 1893. This schoolhouse was on Broadway and is now known as the Broadway Hotel. The organization came about largely through the efforts of Rev. W. M. Cowden of Tacoma. Mrs. Dorothy Gillespie, Mrs. Zelda Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Newton Porter, Mr. and Mrs. Haggard, Mrs. McCoy, and Hattie McElrey were the charter members. The church organization, however, really grew out of the Sunday School which was instituted by Mrs. McCoy and Mrs. Dorothy Gillespie and which met in the homes of members of this faith. For a time meetings were held in various halls, and finally a church was erected at 2935 Oakes Avenue, which building was later sold and is now used as the Scottish Rite Temple. The fine new church at Twentysixth and Hoyt was built in 1923. Rev. O. D. Harris is the present efficient pastor of this zealous and enthusiastic congregation.

First Norwegian-Danish Methodist Episcopal Church

The first church in Everett which used other than the English language in its services was the First Norwegian-Danish Methodist Episcopal Church, which was incorporated in 1893, with the following trustees: Ole Lindland, Edvin Narum.

M. W. Eriksen, A. Thorsvik, P. M. Elefsen, and twelve members. Rev. P. M. Elefsen was the first pastor of this congregation, and its church building was erected on the corner of Everett and Rockefeller in 1895. Two of the charter members, P. M. Elefsen and M. W. Eriksen, are still active in the work of this church. Rev. Hagbarth Elvigen is the present pastor of this organization which has now maintained itself successfully for more than thirty-three years.

First United Presbyterian Church

In order of organization the First United Presbyterian Church comes next in Everett's history. It was first served by Rev. K. L. Lanning, who was sent to Everett by the Board of Home Missions of the United Presbyterian Denomination in September, 1900. His work must have been difficult and discouraging, for there were but few people present when he held the first services in a hall which he had rented for the purpose, and among those present Mrs. Elizabeth Loria was the only one who had been a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Nothing daunted, however, Reverend Lanning pursued his work and on March 19, 1901, he was able to organize a congregation with twenty-seven members. Of the charter members the following are still active: Mrs. Allie B. Hager, Clyde Hager, Mrs. Klizabeth Loria, Mrs. Marie Otto, Hager Redfearn, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Wherry, and Mrs. May Green Husby. Rev. Lanning was pastor of this church until 1912, and saw it grow from this very small beginning into a strong and faithful organization. The present location was purchased for $2,500 and the building erected on the corner of Everett and Colby. Rev. Howard M. Jamieson has been the pastor of this congregation since 1921, and F. W. Mansfield is the clerk of the session. This congregation, while not one of the largest in the city, is known for its earnestness and zeal.

Zion Swedish-Lutheran Church

The first church of the great creed first formulated by Martin Luther was organized by the Swedish Lutherans of Everett at the home of Alfred Swenson, corner of Kromer and Wall, on November 3, 1900. At this meeting an organization was founded to be known as the Swedish Lutheran Society of Everett, its purpose being to organize a congregation. Meetings were held the last Saturday of each month at the homes of the various members. Among these early members were L. J. Berg, Nils A. Lindblad, Alfred Swenson, J. T. Jedin, Frank Anderson, Amil Johnson, and Peter Anderson. It was not until nearly a year later, August 13, 1901, that the society felt itself strong enough to organize a congregation. Rev. M. L. Larson presided at this meeting, and a congregation was formed with twenty-two adults and twenty-seven children as members. The first church was located at 3017 Oakes Avenue, and the present Evangelical Zion Church was erected in 1908, on the corner of Twenty-fourth and Wetmore. There are now 200 communicants. Rev. C. G. H. Ahnquist is the present pastor, and the church officers are as follows: Oscar Holst, secretary; Arvid Johnson, treasurer; Hubert Carlson, Sunday School superintendent; Philip Hillstrom, choir director and soloist; and Miss Ebba Jadin, organist. This flourishing congregation celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary during August, 1926, with elaborate ceremonies and a homecoming, which lasted for several days.

First Swedish Baptist Church

There were just fourteen members when the First Swedish Baptist Church was organized on August 19, 1901, and of these fourteen but three now reside within the State of Washington. They are Charles Larson of Snohomish, Mrs. M. O. Clineberg of Everett, and Mrs. Betty Larson of Riverton. The meeting at which this church was organized was held in a tent on the Y. M. C. A. lot. Under the guidance of Rev. G. A. Osbrink, the first pastor, a humble church was erected with a seating capacity of not more than 150, in 1902. This building, later moved to Twenty-fifth and Oakes, is now used by the worshippers of the Church of Nazareth. The neat building which is now the home of the Swedish Baptist Church was erected in 1913, on a choice location on the corner of Hoyt and Everett Avenue, and has a seating capacity of 600. Rev. K. A. Lundin is pastor and P. K. Ahlquist secretary of this flourishing church of 125 members.

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Twenty-five years ago, in 1901, Emanuel Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. C. H. Eberling. Meetings were first held in the old Norwegian Lutheran Church building on Lombard Street, but during the stay of Rev. H. G. Schmelzer, the first resident pastor, the present church building, at Twenty-sixth and Lombard, was erected and dedicated December 4, 1904. But three of the charter members, R. Krentz, L. Kuhblank and C. E. Ogrosky, are still active in the work of the church. For twenty years this church has maintained a well-organized Sunday School, of which H. B. Mantey is now superintendent, while the efficient pastor is Rev. Martin Engel.

Grace Methodist Episcopal Church

Everett boasts two organizations of the great Methodist Episcopal Church, the Protestant organization which has the largest membership in America. Grace Methodist Church grew out of a Sunday School organized by W. W. Miller in 1902. For two years meetings were carried on at Mr. Miller's home at 2303 Summit Avenue, he being assisted in the good work by John Spencer, W. W. Soper and A. Robertson. It was not until 1905 that courage was found to undertake the building of a little chapel on lots located at 3418 Twenty-fourth Street, one lot being donated by W. F. Swalwell. There has been no jealous rivalry between the two Methodist churches of Everett; in fact, for the next three years of its existence Grace Church continued its work under the direction and with the aid of the First Methodist congregation. In 1908 the first regular pastor, Reverend Stevens, was appointed and Grace Church started life on an independent basis. The organization prospered and in 1920, under the regime of Reverend Jergensen an additional lot was secured and a new church building was planned. These plans ripened slowly, but in 1923 a vigorous campaign for the necessary funds was inaugurated with the result that one of the most attractive places of worship in the city was erected at Summit and Twenty-fourth streets at a cost of $17,000; moreover, the church is now almost out of debt. The membership of this church has reached 140, and the average Sunday School attendance 1s about two hundred. Following the rule of all Methodist churches, the work is thoroughly organized in every department and

First Friends Church

On the evening of May 10, 1904, Rev. George Harvey invited the few Everett members of this sect to meet at his home, 2220 Rockefeller Avenue, to consider the organization of a church of Friends. These earnest people felt the need of a church home of their own, but they had little money although their zeal was great. Their first move as a church was to secure a room above a store on the corner of Colby and 19th Street. They remained here but a short time, moving, in June, 1904, to a store building which they bought, on the corner of 23rd and Wetmore Avenue. They continued to use this building until 1910, when it was removed to make way for the present much more suitable and comfortable church. There were eleven charter members of this organization as follows: George Harvey, Ellen Harvey, Mary Hallek, William Philpott, Mrs. Younger, Catherine Younger, Nicholas Younger, G. H. Paschke, Blanche Osborne and Frank Younger. Of these but two are now members of the congregation - William Philpott and Grace Hallek Philpott - but there are now seventy-nine active and thirty-seven associate members. The first minister of this church was Rev. Replegle and the minister in 1926 is Rev. Frederic E. Carter, who is receiving the enthusiastic support of the congregation.

Immaculate Conception Church, Catholic

By 1904, the Catholic congregation on Riverside had completely outgrown its church accommodations and the Bishop of the Diocese instructed Rev. Father H. P. Saindon, who had been serving the Riverside church as assistant priest, to establish a new parish on Bayside, of the city. For some six months, the store on the corner of California and Hoyt was used by this congregation, some of the first members of which were: Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Gowen, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. John Curran, Mrs. James E. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. John Flynn, Mr. and Mrs. William Costello, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. W..W. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Moriarity, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cole, Mr. and Mrs. John B. McCann, and Mr. M. Donovan. The committee in charge of organization was composed of James E. Gowen, Charles Cole and John Curran, and a church costing in the neighborhood of $25,000 was at once erected at the corner of 25th and Hoyt. Rev. Father Saindon remained in charge of this parish tor nineteen years, and saw it grow from a weakling into one of the strongest and most successful of congregations. He was greatly beloved by his parishioners and by the people generally, and was a potent factor in the affairs of the city. In 1923, the church authorities decided that a new school building should be added to the church property, and as he was advanced in years, Rev. Father Saindon felt that he could not accept the responsibility of this added burden. He, therefore, resigned from the parish and was transferred to Marymount, a boys' school near Tacoma. His departure was regretted by the entire city. He was succeeded, however, by Rev. Father Francis Jones, who has already endeared himself to the people of his parish, and successfully carried through the building operation, the fine brick building being completed in 1924. The entire church property is now valued at $175,000. This includes the church, school, residence of the priest and the home for the Ursuline Nuns, who are in charge of the school. The congregation numbers more than 300 families and the church accommodations have again become so crowded, that relief must soon be sought in the erection of a new church building.

United Lutheran Church In America

One of the several Lutheran churches of Everett known as the United Lutheran Church in America was established in 1904, two of the early members being Mrs. A. M. Crawford and R. W. Frolich. Rev. T. A. Schoenberg was the first pastor, and for many years the congregation was forced to content itself with holding services in various places rented for the purpose. It was not until 1922 that the present comfortable and attractive church was erected, following the architectural designs furnished by Rev. Gold of Seattle which included plans for a parish hall and a parish house, which it is the hope of the congregation to complete at a later date. Rev. William Holl was pastor at the time this church was erected, and he was succeeded in 1924 by Rev. D. D. Kistler, who has proven himself most popular and efficient. The church is governed by a council of seven, the present membership of which includes H. H. Petershagen, H. J. Frolich, C. Hempler, Wm. Cuchblank, E. W. Ramstad, C. Petersen, and Fred Hanich. The church property is valued at about $20,000. The congregation numbers approximately 140, and it maintains a flourishing Sunday School.

Central Lutheran Church

In the year 1905, seventeen faithful members of the Lutheran Church foregathered to organize what they named the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, but which is now known as the Central Lutheran. The first pastor, Rev. A. J. Haugen, remained with the church for something over a year, being succeeded, in 1907, by Rev. O. J. Edwards who was the pastor until 1913. The congregation was small and the church was in an unorganized condition for the next five years, or until it united with the Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1918, occupying a frame structure on Everett Avenue. With stronger forces and larger membership, the united churches next planned a large brick and concrete structure facing Rockefeller Avenue. The building was started in 1920 and the basement was completed and fitted for the holding of services, and in 1922, the faithful pastor, Rev. O. J. Edwards returned to the church. In 1925, the name was changed to that of "The Central Lutheran Church" in preparation for the great, united effort which should make their dreams of a handsome and stately church home come true. During the year 1926 these plans were carried out and the new church was formally dedicated on October 17, 1926. A very fine painting of "Christ in the Garden" stands behind the altar of the new church, and it is doubly dear to the members in that it is the work, as well as the gift, of their beloved pastor. This church now has a membership of four hundred active members, six of whom were among the charter members of the organization. The chairman of the board of trustees is August Erickson, and of the board of deacons, T. N. Wold. Few churches in Everett have made more sacrifices or have shown a more determined spirit and it 1s to be congratulated upon the beautiful building which it now enjoys as the fruit of these years of effort.

First Evangelical Church

Another church which had its beginning in 1905 was the First Evangelical. This held its initial meetings in a room on Colby Avenue, near California, but in 1906 the foundations were laid for the present church building, on 25th and Wetmore Avenue. Rev. E. D. Hornscheuch helped to organize this church and the two senior members in 1926 are Mrs. Matzke and Mrs. Lillian White. While not among the largest, it is among the most earnest and enthusiastic churches in the city and is making sure progress, both spiritually and materially, under the management of Rev. William S. Plowman, as pastor, E. T. Harland as chairman of the board of trustees and M. A. Schoolcraft as treasurer.

First Church Of Christ, Scientist

Organized with but six members, in 1910, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, now numbers more than one hundred. As yet it occupies a modest church home on the corner of 33rd Street and Colby Avenue; a most desirable location. Reading rooms are open to the public, daily, in the Bank of Commerce building on Hewitt Avenue. Mrs. I. P. Hewitt is clerk of this organization.

Holland Christian Reformed Church

One of the quietly prosperous churches of the city is the Holland Christian Reformed Church which was organized in 1911, with twelve families, by Rev. K. Propper. This congregation was satisfied with a modest church home for the first eleven years of its existence, but in 1922 a structure costing $6,500 was erected, making the present value of the church property about $14,000, including the handsome location at 2229 Wetmore Avenue. The charter members were Mrs. John Estie, Mrs. R. Kester, Mr. and Mrs. Klapp, Mr. and Mrs. Zan Zwol and H. Estie. The church has been under the charge of Rev. Jacob Mulder, as pastor, for the past year and its progress is shown by the fact that in 1926 there are seventy-two families on its membership roll.

Our Savior'S Lutheran Church

One of the more recent churches organized in Everett is Our Savior's Lutheran. In a way this was not a new church, as it was formed by a union of members from two old, established congregations: the First Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran and the Ebenezer Lutheran. The First Scandinavian Lutheran dates back to the summer of 1892 when its first church building was erected at 25th and Harrison. This building was moved, the same year, to 2930 Lombard Avenue. When Our Savior's Church was organized this property was sold and a new site secured at 24th Street and Hoyt Avenue, where a handsome edifice, costing $40,000, was erected in 1924.

The charter members of the First Scandinavian Church, now living, are T. T. Enger, John Brue, Mrs. Iver Johnson, and Mrs. Peter Jackson. Rev. Carl H. Norgard, who was pastor of the First Scandinavian, became pastor of the new organization, which is one of the strongest in the city, having a membership of approximately five hundred. Operating through six departments this church is doing exceptional work and is an influential factor in the religious life of the city.

Church Of God

The Church of God had its beginning in the city of Everett in 1904, cottage prayer meetings being conducted by Mrs. S. P. Hibbard and others. The first pastor, Rev. George Cain, took charge in 1907, serving until 1912. Other pastors have been Rev. O. A. Chapman, 1914-17; Rev. C. E. Orr, 1917-23; Rev. O. T. Ring, 1923-26; Rev. George S. Murphy, 1926. A church was built in 1915 at 2807 Cedar street, and in the early part of 1926 two lots were purchased on Virginia and 26th Streets for the construction of a new chapel and parsonage. The church was incorporated in 1925, the trustees being Peter Burgerson, M. L. Dawson, W. Krogue, T. Romerdohl and Mr. Kerr. The state camp-meeting of this church was held at Edmonds, in October, 1926. The church is prosperous and the Sunday School has an enrollment of 135. Rev. George S. Murphy, pastor in 1926, resides at 3627 Rockefeller Avenue.

As early as 1901, the negro residents of Everett, who were followers of the Baptist faith, felt the need of a church home of their own. Mr. and Mrs. Luten Sullivan and Mrs. Nellie Donaldson were among the prime movers of this enterprise, and a congregation was formed and a church built on Rainier Street in 1901. This was the church home until 1922 when a new and more commodious structure was erected on California and Virginia streets. Rev. S. G. Wilson was the first pastor and Rev. J. L. Murray is now in charge. The church has a membership of twenty-five with a Sunday School of larger proportion. The trustees are Mrs. Fillmore Taylor and Charles Isom, and other organizations of the church are the D. Y. T. U., Brother and Auxiliary.

Christian Missionary Alliance

A tent served for the holding of church services when the Christian Missionary Alliance was organized in September, 1906, by Rev. A. D. Eddy, the first pastor. Meetings were held later at the home of Mrs. Adamson, and the church at 1609 22nd Street was completed in May, 1909. Rev. H. H. Hubbell is the pastor of this organization, which numbers about eighty-five members, and which maintains a well attended Sunday School.

There are many other church organizations and religious societies in the city each serving acceptably the different groups they represent and each having an influence for good. Among these organizations are the following: