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INTRODUCTION TO THE CHURCHES
It has been my privilege to seek out the history of the Grand Coulee Dam churches - a privilege which leaves me feeling both humble and grateful. The religious spirit is strong, the churches rich in tradition and devoted membership, versatile and diversified in Christian response.
We are all proud of our church homes - and rightly so - proud to say, "I am a Baptist; I am a Catholic; I am a Nazarene", etc. But underlying the denominational identity of all lies the common denominator, "I am a Christian". In the words of Samuel Longfellow:
"From hand to hand the greeting flows,It is impossible to thank all who gave of their time and effort to help -- to answer questions, verify facts, call friends for leads and information, who made me feel so welcome. i would like especially to mention the following: Clara Leahy, Anita Boll, Mrs. Walter Bozak, Reverend Ron Hunter, Sally Johnson, Mrs. Betty Yirak of Almira, Mrs. John Chandler, Evelyn Brice, John Blauer, Esther Myers, Mrs. Dan Neddo, reverend Carl Smith, Mrs. J. J. Lynch, and Winnifred Bottorff. Mentioned by name, or not, you were all appreciated very much. Thank you.
From eye to eye the signals run,
From heart to heart the bright hope glows,
The seekers of the Light are one."
Welthy M. Buchholz
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COULEE DAM COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sixth and Central Drive
Coulee Dam, Washington
Guy F. Atkinson (first contractors, MWAK) fostered the Mason City Interdenominational Community Church which began April 23, 1935. First Board members included his son, George Atkinson, Mr. W. E. Kier, a Mr. Goode, Mrs. R. E. Dycus, Mrs. J. E. Myers, and Mr. J. Hargrove. Reverend Champlin Parks was the first pastor; second was W. W. Sloan, who came in January 1936; third, a Dr. Hays, December, 1937; and fourth, Daniel E. Peterson, September, 1938. "First services were held in the primary school at Coulee Dam" (1958 community History, Columbia School, Engineers Town).
A frame building and a manse were erected in Mason City with volunteer labor and funds given by local people. In 1948, a wing was added to the church home and in 1951, it was moved facing Central Drive. On October 26, 1951, a cornerstone for the new church home at Sixth and Central Drive was placed by Alfin F. Darland, head, power field division, Grand Coulee Dam. The cornerstone was furnished gratis by Swanson Stone and Marble Company and contains memorabilia.
Plans for the new building were formulated by the architectural firm of Whitehouse and Price from Spokane; contractor for the foundation work, George Nolte and Company of Bellingham, Washington. Many rock-haul volunteer parties followed as more than 20,000 stones are included in the building. Of native granite chosen for their color, texture, and straightness, the stones vary in size, the largest weighing in at six hundred pounds. The walls also contain a sprinkling of stones from former homes of some of the members, a representation from most of the western states. One is from England, brought by Dan E. Peterson, son of the minister. It is identified by a white square cross and a brass plate with the inscription: "Above stone was part of pinnacle, east end of York Minister, England. Dated circa A. D. 1500. Sent by A. Crocker, York, 1953". (Article from the Spokesman-Review, October 13, 1957, Elsa K. Sandler).
From 1951 to 1955 many volunteers worked on the walls under the direction of master stone mason Hartley E. Hubbard. "The design of Christian church buildings has traditionally followed certain lines and details. The great cathedrals were cruciform in plan, i.e., like a cross. The Coulee Dam Community Church follows a modified cruciform plan. A restful quiet nave or main chapel is the principal room designed to seat 250 comfortably. At the front, right near the entrance is the bride's room." (Quote from C. E. Benjamin, Building Committee Chairman). A wing accommodates Christmas and Easter overflow crowds.
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Heat is in the floor (electric) and the entire building is rat and insect proof, resists temperature and humidity changes (low-cost maintenance). Incorporated in the structure are memorabilia such as: 1) the copper flashing to connect the stone walls to the roofing - taken from the old copper dome of the Tacoma City Library; 2) buttress reducers at the front entrance - from one of the old campus buildings at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington; and 3) bolts which hold the roof framing to the wall - out of steel salvaged from the dismantled Camp Ferry barge which was used as a bunkhouse by men clearing the Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake reservoir.
Hand carving over gables and lintels follows a grapevine design suggesting Jesus' words: "I am the true vine." They were done by C. E. Benjamin and/or A. F. Darland. Mr. Darland made the heavy doors of 170 pieces of oak and pine laid in herringbone pattern, painted Chinese red. He is also responsible for the cross above the sanctuary which is walnut, ornamented with gold plated bronze and edged with gold plated twisted aluminum wire. The bronze came from an old broken velocity meter which measured water speed at the base of Grand Coulee Dam until the current tore it loose.
Dedicated in 1956, and debt free, the stone edifice was valued at more than $80,000.
In October 1957, Reverend Peterson left and in November, 1958, the Reverend Ralph Smith became pastor.
The old frame building which had continued to be used for Sunday School and sundry extra church activities was razed in the fall of 1971 to make way for a social center of stone, paralleling the church in site and construction. Gratefully, Sunday School was continued during the construction period in space provided by St. Benedict's Catholic Church and Central Elementary School.
The annex was designed by Mr. Champ Sanford of Yakima, and the Case Brothers of Waterville, Ben and Claude, supervised volunteer labor and bought supplies. Jim Tillman did the excavation. Serving on the Building Committee were Tom Simms, Clell Vaughn, Mrs. Perry Dukes, Ray Seeley, Jim Minor, Pete Luiten, Tom Lloyd, Art Graff and John Vertrees. The names of all who helped, both men and women, cannot be given -- the list would be too long. Suffice to say, the church owes much gratitude to many loyal hearts and loving hands.
The Center was dedicated in June, 1974, and provides facilities for such community services as art classes, preschool groups, and counseling, to name but a few.
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Reverend Smith left in 1963, and the present minister, Reverend J. William Woodworth began his ministry on July 7, 1963.
Coulee Dam Community Church began as an interdenominational church, and it remains interdenominational. It was affiliated in 1938 under Reverend Peterson with the Washington State Council of Churches and Christian Education. Protestant in character, come of the ministers have been from the Presbyterian denomination.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Electric City, Washington
Four times over the years, this church has changed its name. It began as Union Church in 1943 "built by a Mr. and Mrs. Teeters (church history)." During the pastorate of a Reverend R. M. Lewis it "became an Independent Baptistic Church, incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, and its name was changed to Community Bible Church (church history)." Since Reverend Merle Wood became pastor in 1947, and the church had been without a pastor for a year and a half, this must have occurred about 1945.
In 1948, the church was reorganized, the present Constitution and Articles of Faith were drawn up, and the name changed to Community Baptist Church. A few years later, it assumed its present name, First Baptist Church.
In May, 1965, the membership voted to erect a new sanctuary with a basement for classrooms. Plans were drawn up by the late W. R. Ducette of Coulee Dam, and the work contracted to A. J. Gerard of Electric City. Much was accomplished with volunteer labor also. A mild summer made it possible to hold services in a large room separated from the construction by a canvas wall. Dedication and open house was held March 18, 19, and 20, 1966. Between 1968 and 1975, "the new auditorium was beautified with the addition of new pews, pulpit, and communion table, carpet, piano and organ (church history)."
Three affiliations have been made for the purpose of promoting evangelism in the State, the Nation and the World. They are: 1) an affiliation with the Conservative Baptist Association of Washington in February, 1959; 2) an affiliation with the Conservative Baptists of America Association in November, 1960, and 3) an affiliation with the National Association of evangelicals in
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July, 1967. These affiliations have no legal hold on the policies or property of the local church.
The fellowship of the First Baptist Church in Electric City is a body of Bible centered Christians who desire to grow in their relationship to Christ, and to reach their community for Christ. This "community" includes all, the state, the nation, and the world.
As part of this outreach, the church presently helps to support ten missionaries. One of these missionaries, Miss Marlene Geraud, teaches in a school on the Ivory Coast of Africa. Marlene grew up here and First Baptist Church is her church home. In addition, some support is given to the Judson Baptist College and to the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, both in Portland, Oregon.
Pastors who have served this church are: Reverend R. M. Lewis; 1947-1955, Merle Wood; 1955-1956, Galen Glassner; 1956-1960, James Bridge; 1961-1967, William T. Carr; 1968-1975, David Paine. The present pastor, Reverend Lynn Lloyd, came in June, 1976.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
308 Continental Heights
Grand Coulee, Washington
The Grand Coulee Dam area continues to act as a hub for communities roundabout, and that is perhaps the main reason why Francis Adams of Pateros, and his son, Don Adams of Almira, decided to establish a branch of the Church of Christ in Grand Coulee. It would cut the distance the membership would need to travel in order to reach a church home of their own.
The first service was held in the American Legion Hall on August 8, 1966. This was later changed to the Seventh Day Adventist building and in 1969, the congregation bought the old Church of the Nazarene. This continues to be their church home here in Grand Coulee.
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THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Corner of Continental Heights and Young Street,
Grand Coulee, Washington
A group of Seventh Day Adventists began meeting in private homes in Electric City as early as 1935. They were organized December 10, 1938, by two Elders from Spokane, a Mr. C. A. Screvin, and Mr. L. K. Reynolds. The thirteen original members included: Doctor Cora E. Alcorn, Tracy J. Olcott, Sr., Herbert J. Olcott, Lillian Olcott, Mark T. Olcott, Florence Fletcher, Lucy Stearman (Mrs. C. L.), Ben Grimm, Jess B. Turner, Winnifred Turner, Sister Barnhill, Arben E. Carpenter, and Anna Pflug. T. C. Olcott was elected as local elder and missionary leader. A church home was erected from salvage lumber on Federal Avenue where the Grand Coulee Center School is now located. The building was moved to its present site in 1952, and a full basement and foyer were added. Siding was also put on.
Members are now redecorating the interior with new paneling and stained glass windows and remodeling to add a Mother's Room for those with we ones. In the Mother's Room the ladies can hear the service and watch it while ministering to the needs of the infants.
Through the years, attendance and membership have fluctuated with the contracts on the dam. Communicants have come in from outlying hamlets -- Wilbur, Almira, Nespelem, etc. Mr. John Janssen of Wilbur became a deacon in the service of this church and served as President for many years. A native of Holland, he was presented with a trip to his homeland as a retirement gift from Llewellyn's for whom he worked for more than twenty-five years. He retired in March of 1975.
A number of doctors have been numbered among the members: 1935 - Dr. Cora E. Alcorn; 1954 - Dr. Herschel C. Lamp who came here from Omak and left for Nigeria and later, Beirut; 1956 - Dr. John Koning who went to Los Angeles in 1957 -- both Lamp and Koning served as Public Health Officers for the area; 1958 - Dr. Walter Bozak who came from Victoria and left in 1961 for Guam, Tokyo, and Malaysia, returning here in 1975, and leaving again in the fall of 1976; 1961 - Dr. Donald Weaver, here for two years; 1963 - Dr. Catalino Viscarra who came from the Philippines and went to California in 1972.
The Adventist Church ministers to the whole man with concentration of activity on schools and medical work. A Dorcas organization within the Church parallels the relief work of the red Cross over the world.
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Funds are solicited from all and given freely where there is a need. Working time is also donated. The local church will reactivate their Dorcas group this fall, 1976.
The present pastor, who serves both Ephrata and Grand Coulee, came here from Chelan, and grew up in the Colville area. His name is Dan Knapp.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY
807 Central Drive
Coulee Dam, Washington
As a recognized branch of the Christian Science Church, we are called a Society chiefly because we do not have a registered practitioner of Christian Science in our membership.
Our first service in the area was held in the home of Mrs. Lloyd (Vernilia) Baker in November, 1934, using a Singer Sewing machine for the Reader's Desk.
Following a notice published in the local paper, attendance increased, Wednesday evening testimonial meetings were begun and in May, 1935, the auditorium of Columbia School in "Engineers Town" became the established place of meeting.
In the fall of 1954 we leased from the government a demountable house at the corner of Central Drive and Civic Way in what had been Mason City. The building was remodeled by adding a foyer and a steeple and the landscape was improved. The first service at this location was held in February, 1955. In 1958 the membership purchased the building and lot and dedication services were held October 19, 1959, as all debts had been cleared. We are joyously grateful to dear friends in Wilbur for their generous help in the purchase of our organ.
A gift to the community from time to time has been a free public lecture on spiritual growth and Christian healing. Sponsored and paid for the the local church, the lecture is given by a member of the Board of Lecturship of The Mother Church, the First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts.
Our only pastors are the Bible and the Christian Science Textbook, Science and Health with Key the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. All local members who are also members of The Mother Church may occupy the position of First and/or Second Reader for services.
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Among our past members were Mrs. Theodora Banks Baird who passed on in September, 1975, and Mrs. Elsa K. Sandler, editor of the 1958 Community History. Mrs. Sandler died in November, 1971.
Welthy M. Buchholz
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
Corner of B and 4th Streets
Grand Coulee, Washington
Itinerant ministers served this area prior to 1940 when a Kingdom Hall (church home) was established at 2nd and B Streets in Grand Coulee. From 1943 to 1950, the work of the church was carried on in private homes. "In 1948, Lawrence L. Woodall came to establish a congregation of trained Bible preachers dedicated to reaching the people." (Quote from 1958 Community History) In 1950 the Odd Fellow's Hall in Grand Coulee was secured for a church home and a new building begun. This was occupied the first of April, 1958, and dedicated in October.
World headquarters for Jehovah's Witnesses is in New York City from which a representative is sent twice a year to each branch congregation to help, lift and train the members for their missionary work. A Thursday evening meeting is devoted to learning how to present the Bible. Children attend the services with their parents, and elders are appointed from among the membership. These are men who have matured in their understanding and knowledge of the Bible. Elders are given intensive training in workshops. The present congregation has three ordained ministers with Sam Wilson presiding for 1976.
Kingdom hall was remodeled in 1974, the podium enlarged and a room added for the literature distribution work. The circulation of Watch Tower, a bi-weekly publication, has reached 10,300,000.
A basic goal of all members is to train themselves and others to bring Bible scripture to everyone by house to house canvassing.
I am interested in working together. Take a look at what I have done and I'll do the same
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