fiunisoc.html

History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon.
Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF HOOD RIVER
Contributed by Mrs. W.M. Stewart.

It was organized under the leadership of Rev. W.G. Eliot, Jr., at the town hall in April 1902. The first officers of this church were as follows: Mr. T.J. Cunning, Pres. Mrs. W.M. Stewart, Sec. or Clerk, Mr. W.P. Friday, Treasurer.
Mr. Eliot came to this little company twice a month to preach to them and was greeted on these occasions with a goodly number of earnest listeners.
In November 1902, the Society was called to consider matters pertaining to the building of a church . Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Smith bought a beautiful lot on the corner of State and Ninth Sts. and presented to the Society for its building site.
An architect was called from Portland to consider the proper structure for the site. On account of lack of dry material and the approaching winter, it was decided to postpone the work of building until spring, February 1, 1903.
The building committee was composed of Dr. Watt, E.A. Franz, and Mr. F.P. Friday. The church was completed and ready for use in the fall of that year. Mr. Eliot made possible the completion of the church, with a slight indebtedness, by his generous offer of preaching for nine months without remuneration, or allowing his salary to be used for the church indebtedness.
During the Church life, covering fourteen years of service in this community, we have had the following ministers, who have served their people in the Society and Community unselfishly, and certainly broadened and strengthened all who attended their services a Rev. Akin Weil, Rev. O.J. Nelson, Rev. L.A. Baldridge, Rev. John Van Niece Bandy, Rev. Arthur Sargent and Rev. H.A. MacDonald. Dr. T.L. Eliot and Rev. W.G. Eliot filling in during these years with sermons of wonderful help and inspiration.
We can proudly say that no public undertaking in this community has been accomplished without the help and encouragement of the members of this liberal church faith who have no creed, but whose faith is this: The Fatherhood of God, The Brotherhood of Man, Salvation by Character, The Progress of Mankind upward and onward Forever.
Charter Members: F.P. Friday, E.D. Calkins, E.J. Boyle, Maud Boyle, H.M. Abbott, Nettie N. Abott, E.L. Smith, Georgianna Smith, J.L. Rand, Georgianna Rand, J.F. Watt, Jessie B. Watt, W.M. Stewart, Avis M. Stewart, Frank Chandler, Mary E. Chandler, Anne Conger Smith, C.L. Henderson, Iva Bryant, F.C. Bryant, E.A. Franz, Dora Franz, Lillian Luckey, Mrs. May Atterbury, Alida Shoemaker, Mrs. J.M. Shoemaker, Ella P. Jackson, Mary B. Jackson, Henry Hald, Harriet Hald, James Cunning, Thomas J. Cunning and Herbert Entrican.