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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 21, 1935, page 1

BAPTIST CHURCH WILL CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Many Preachers Serve
Series Of Services To Be Given To Observe Golden Anniversary;
Visitors Expected For Occasion

The First Baptist Church of Goldendale was organized in 1885 and has functioned continuously since the date of its inception. The history of the church has been varied. There have been times of prosperity and other times of depression. About six or seven years ago the work was revitalize by State Sec'y Rev. Fred Wightman, and Colporter Missionary Rev. John McAllister, and the following pastors have served the church as pastor since that date. Rev. Conrad Owen; Rev. W.H. Muston; Rev. Hugh P. Andrews; and the present pastor, Rev. C.C. Hanes.
Thus after 50 years of service the church has decided to celebrate with a "Golden Jubilee" on Sunday Nov. 24 which at this season of Thanksgiving with naturally call for the thoughts of praise and Thanksgiving to God for his goodness and blessings to the Church.
As an outside speakers the Church has secured the services of Rev. W.A. Shank, D.D., executive sec'y, of the Washington Baptist State Convention to preached the sermon at 11:00 a.m. At noon the church will go in a body to the Grange Hall for a fellowship basket dinner. In the afternoon a service of the Reminiscence of God's blessings during the years will be held. It is hoped that at least some of the former pastors may be present to speak and that letters may be had from all the absentees which may be read in the afternoon session. Then the day will be brought to a close by one of the long time members of the church, John R. McEwen leading the B.Y.P.U. meeting at 6:30 p.m. and a sermon by one of the former pastors or by the present pastor of the church at 7:30 p.m.
All the services of the day are open to the friends as well as to the members of the church. And it is expected that this will be a great day in the history of the church.
On Monday evening the Rev. and Mrs. Ray Osterhouse, evangelistic party of Chicago, Illinois, are to begin a series of Evangelistic services which are to be held from Nov. 25 to Dec. 8 inclusive. These young people come to us well recommended and after having held meetings in many of our churches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. They are now conducting a meeting in Caldwell, Idaho, from which place they come to Goldendale to hold a two week's campaign in the First Baptist Church.
The Rev. and Mrs. Osterhouse are musical artists with special music features as follows: solos, duet, musical glasses, trombone, piano, accordian, guitar, musical saw, chorses and congregational singing.
Mr. Osterhouse says of his services: "I do not guarantee to fill the church night after night. I do guarantee to preach the word."
Another feature of the meetings is to be a special children's program every afternoon, after school with a service for boys and girls on Friday evenings. The services are to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and 7:30 p.m. for the evening services. "There is a welcome here."

The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., November 21, 1935, page 12

LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
1885 Is Year of Local Organization; Outside Speaker to Present A Message at Service Sunday;
"Golden Jubilee" To be Followed by Two-Weeks Revival.

After 50 years of continuous service to the community, members of the Goldendale Baptist Church congregation, led by Rev. C.E. Hanes, pastor, have decided to conduct a "Golden Jubilee" celebration Sunday at which time several instructive speakers and other numbers have been prepared.
The First Baptist church was organized in 1885 and has functioned continuously since that date. The history of the church has been varied depressing seasons and seasons of prosperity following one another. About six or seven years ago the work was recitalized by the State Secretary Rev. Fred Wightman and Colporter Missionary Rev. John McAlister.
The following pastors have served the church since: Rev. Conrad Owen, Rev. W.H. Muston, Rev. H.P. Andrews and the present pastor, Rev. C.E. Hanes.
Thus after 50 years of service, the church decides to celebrate with a "Golden Jubilee" Sunday, November 24, which at this season of Thanksgiving with naturally call forth thoughts of praise and Thanksgiving to God for His goodness to the local church.
Rev. W.A. Shank, D.D., executive secretary of the Washington Baptist state convention, will preach the morning service. At noon the church will go in a body to the grange hall for a fellowship basket dinner. In the afternoon, a service of reminiscence of God's Blessing during the years will be held. It is hoped that some of the former pastors may be present for the day.
The day will be concluded with the B.Y.P.U. service, led by J.R. McEwen, a long-time member, and the evening service which is hoped to feature a sermon by a former pastor.
All of the services of the day are open to the friends as well as the members and it is expected that the day will prove a great period in the history of the church.
Then on Monday evening, the local church starts a series of revival meetings which will extend over a two-week period. Rev. and Mrs. Ray Osterhouse, comprising the Osterhouse Evangelistical party, will conduct the meetings.
Both Rev. and Mrs. Osterhouse are talented musicians and will present many special numbers and feature instrumental numbers during the meetings.
A special children's program will be conducted each afternoon and a special meeting for boys and girls Friday evenings. The revival meetings will start at 7:30 each evening.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 1, 1954
Diamond Anniversary Edition, page 1
Includes photograph.

LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY DETAILED FROM PIONEER TIMES

Local Baptist history dates back to the coming of the pioneers to Washington Territory. Their need for fellowship, concern for spiritual life, and love for their fellowman, coupled with the hardships and problems which they all faced, caused many to be concerned about religious services.
They became a community centers for most of their activities. This not only included school activities but recreation, dinners, funeral and religious services. Revival and camp meetings were frequently held and largely attended. As a result many attempts were made to organize churches. Often the small groups held together for some time, but became inactive in a few years.
Small Baptist Churches were organized at Grand Dalles (now Dallesport), Hartland, Appleton, Glenwood, Lyle, Horseshoe Bend, Cedar Valley, Dor, New Missouri, Bickleton and and perhaps other places.
In 1880 a Baptist church was organized in Goldendale. This church lacked leadership and soon became inactive.
In 1884 Eldred T.J. Harper held a meeting at Spring Creek and organized the Spring Creek Baptist Church. Elder Harper was an outstanding worker and organized one of the first Missionary Baptist Churches in Washington Territory at Grand Mound, Washington.
In May, 1886, under leadership of Elder Harper, the Liberty Baptist Church was organized at Fairview, about halfway between Goldendale and Centerville. It had eleven charter members. They were Mr. and Mrs. Levi Clanton, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Putman, Elbert and Mrs. T.V. Harper, Leva Clanton, John R. Clymer, and John C. Harper. This church is perhaps the oldest in Central Washington, and many of the descendants of the charter members still live in this community.
Elder Harper was called as their first Pastor. The New York Board of the Home Missions allotted three hundred dollars a year to help establish and maintain a church. As they had no church building, they used the schoolhouses at the Allen District, the Cross Roads, and Spring Creek for the next two years. Finding it difficult to hold together under these circumstances, the New York Board of Missions again appealed for further aid. In the meantime, lots 7 and 8 in Block 19, Goldendale, Washington, were purchased and a church building was started on these lots just east of the Keith McKee residence. The New York Board of Missions declared the building to small and rejected the appeal for funds. The church building was then changed into a parsonage, and plans were made to find a new location for a church building. They changed their name to First Baptist Church of Goldendale.

Building Approved

In December, 1888, the lots where the Goldendale Baptist Church now stands were purchased from Mr. Crooks for two hundred dollars. On January 11, 1889, the New York Board of Home Missions granted a loan of four hundred dollars. The local men helped build the building. Three of these younger men, T.D. Adams, Andrew Hollett, and Charles Mesecher (who still lives within a block of the church), hauled the rocks for the foundation in the fall of 1888. As the building near completion, two thousand feet of the finishing lumber was needed. The problem was solved by borrowing it from a local Brother and merchant, D.D. Hopper to be repaid in kind the next year. They ordered a Church bell at the cost of $90, Church pews at $152, center chandalier and side lamps (both kerosene burning) at $36.25, hoping to have them here by the time the building was finished. The building was completed at a total cost of nearly nineteen hundred dollars, and dedicated on April 20, 1889, only three months after work started. The final six hundred dollars was pledged by members and friends for future payment at that time.
Without a permanent leader, much of the time the churches were served by local men who were true "circuit riders", giving perhaps one or two services each month to each group. Some of these men were ordained and became "Elders", as they were then called instead of of Pastors.
The first four leaders, Elders Harper, Lynch, Cheyne, and Lewis each served short periods of time. In 1891, the church was fortunate to have a Goldendale School Principal, Elder Gage, serve them for the year in which he was in Goldendale. At this time, there were thirty-three active members and an enrollment of fifty-nine since establishing the church.
About this time William Mesecher (father of Charles Mesecher) of Cedar Valley wrote a letter which was published in the American Baptist Flag at St. Louis, Missouri, telling of the opportunities in the far-west and of the easy homestead laws in Washington Territory. This letter started the migration of several Baptist families who settled in Cedar Valley. These families included Jacroux, Meredith, Hooper, Higdon, Knox, Alexander, Denny, S. Haley and John Myers. Shortly afterward in 1893, the Cedar Valley Church was organized and Eldred C.A. McIlroy (father of Chester McIlroy) became their first Pastor.
In 1889 Deacon J.R. Putnam was ordained and served as supply Pastor at both Goldendale and Hartland.
In 1896 Deacon J.E. Adams was ordained and served as Pastor at Spring Creek until his death in 1919. He also held services at Horseshoe Bend and Cedar Valley, and served as supply Pastor in the Goldendale Church. Elders McIlroy, Clanton, Jacroux, J.C. Baker and the late George Darland, (father of William and Lee Darland) also supplied the small churches and made many trips, mostly at their own expense to do so.
In 1898 Elder Wilburn was called and served as Pastor two years. He was followed followed by R.Y Blalock (1902) and Elder Rhine (1903), who each served only a short time because of ill health.
By this time, the parsonage was in such need of repairs that the church felt fortunate to trade it "lock, stock and barrel" for enough lumber to build a new parsonage by the side of the church. The present parsonage was then built, the construction starting on September 1, 1902. Again they were able to borrow lumber to complete the building. This time they borrowed from George House and J.E. Chappell.
The struggle to secure a permanent Pastor was a very large problem to the small group of workers. At this time, Mrs. Isabelle Haley, the church clerk, wrote in the church records: "We now have four Elders in all (all men who must work for a living) and nary a one to preach for us next Sunday".
In 1904 the church was happy to secure Elder F.W. Carstens for one school year, as he was the Principal of the Goldendale school. After he left in 1905, the church was again without a full-time leader.
The Young People's Union organized their work and papered and painted the church and parsonage, laid sidewalks, purchased more song books, installed new electric lights (at a total cost of $20), bought carpets and purchased another organ.
From 1907 to 1908, Elder Kesterson served as Pastor. During his stay, the church continued to build up, especially among the younger group. Sunday School, prayer meeting, and the Baptist Young People's Union and Ladies Aid were held regularly.

New Pastor Comes

From 1909 to 1912 W.N. Knox was Pastor. He worked in the Abstract Office while ministering to the church. He resigned after the death of his wife in 1912.
In 1913 a Joint Assembly of Church was formed for one year. The Adventist, Baptist and Christian churches united under the leadership of Dr. E.A. Eaton. At the end of the year, the Joint Assembly of Churches disbanded and became individual churches again.
From 1916 to 1929 the church was without a Pastor. Many moved away, others were taken by death, still others became active in other Churches. Sunday School and Prayer Services were held every week. John McEwen did much to encourage and helped in many ways -- as did the few who were left. They included Mr. and Mrs. J. Higdon, Celesta Higdon, Mrs. I. Haley, Mrs. Fouts, Charles Clary and A.C. Chapman, father of Mrs. John McEwen, who, although not a member, attended and was an inspiration to all who knew him.
In the autumn of 1929 John McAllister (a local shepherd-Evangelist) made a survey of those interested and held a series of meetings at Crofton Prairie and Goldendale. In December, 1929, the church with five active members received a eleven new members. On January 12, 1930, they called Reverend Conrad Owen to be their Pastor for an indefinite time. After seven months he resigned, and William Muston was called as Pastor. By this time, more teachers, room, repairs, and money were needed. A balcony was built, making more room for Sunday School classes. Again the Pastor resigned because of ill health.
In November, 1931, Rev. Hugh Andrews was called as Pastor. He interested many of the young people in the Church, as well as attempting to revive Church groups at Hartland, Goodnoe Hills and Spring Creek. The membership grew. Rev. Andrews was mindful of the need of many people - often buying groceries and medicine from personal resources. He placed emphasis on Missions, telling a Missionary story every Sunday. He urged the church to pledge $5 per month to missions. When the Church did not reach that goal, he did the janitor work himself and gave the five dollars he received to Missions.
From 1934 to 1941, Rev. C.E. Hanes was Pastor. The need for additional room was pressing at this time, as part of the parsonage, and even the Church grounds, were used for classes when weather permitted. Our membership and Sunday School attendance continued to grow. A meeting was called to discuss the remodeling of the church, or perhaps building a new one. As no funds were available for that purpose, we felt it almost useless to try. Then someone dropped a penny on the floor, and it rolled out in plain sight of everyone. Mrs. George Klatt pointed to it and laughingly said: "There! That is the start of our Building Fund." Someone picked it up and passed the hat, and we had a start of ten dollars on our new fund. Under the leadership of Reverend Hanes, the Church Annex was built, supplying the needed recreation, dining hall, fireplace, and Sunday School rooms. The garage and woodshed were rebuilt and enlarged. The buildings where repainted. The Church attendance and membership grew. The sudden death of Reverend Hanes in 1941 was mourned by all.
In 1941 Rev. Glen Garner was called as Pastor. The church kept growing and Rev. Garner showed his great love for his Church by making it beautiful. He refinished the sanctuary, rebuilt the front entrance, built storage cabinets and modernized the Parsonage. In spite of much illness in his family group, he was an active and good leader.
In February, 1946, Rev. Walter Smith was called as Pastor. He was a veteran of two wars, and had a deep understanding of the Veteran's problems and was greatly loved and honored by the local Louis Leidl Post No. 116 of the American Legion. Our church continued to grow and again we needed additional space. Work was done to improve the Sunday School rooms, new and better lights were installed in the sanctuary, a new basement was started, a new floor laid in the Annex, and a memorial organ was dedicated in memory of our late beloved leader, John McEwen. The young people's group purchased a movie projector. An amplifier was installed in the church tower.
In 1952 Rev. Albert Heard was called to be the Pastor. He has been very active in many ways. He calls our Church the Friendly Church, and lives up to it. He has landscaped the Church grounds, planted many shrubs and flowers, has pushed ahead in the completion and use of the new basement as Sunday School rooms. The church now has a membership of the 229, including both active and inactive members. With church services drawing capacity crowds most Sunday mornings, we look and wonder if we won't soon be planning to enlarge our building again. Frankly we hope so!

By -- Mrs. Grace Crevling,
Church Clerk and
Rev. Robert Heard, Pastor.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 17, 1966, page 1
Includes portrait.

BAPTIST CHURCH TO HOLD 80TH ANNIVERSARY HERE

The First Baptist Church in Goldendale will observe it its 80th anniversary Sunday with two former pastors participating in the morning and evening service.
The Rev. P. Glenn Garner, most recent former pastor, will give the sermon at the 11 a.m. service. He is presently serving as a minister in Astoria, Ore.
A fellowship dinner will be held at 1 p.m. in the fireside room of the church and will be followed by a short program to be highlighted with organ selections by Reuben Asuink of Lynden, former organist here.
An evening service will conclude the day's activities. The Rev. Hugh P. Andrews of Portland, another former pastor, will speak at this service which will start at 7:30p.m.
The First Baptist Church, originally called Liberty Baptist Church, was organized in June, 1886, in the Fairview school house, midway between Goldendale and Centerville. There were 13 charter members in the congregation when it was organized. They were Mr. and Mrs. John Harper, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Clanton, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Higdon, Mrs. Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Mesecher, Elder Thomas J. Harper and John Clymer.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 15, 1976, page 3
Includes photograph.

BAPTIST MINISTRY A PICTURE OF GROWTH

Although the original Baptist church group was organized in 1880, the First Baptist Church was formed in Goldendale in 1888.
The First Baptist Church is located at 400 W. Broadway in Goldendale. H. Thomas Beck is pastor.
The church has a wide variety of programs throughout the week and holds regular Sunday School, morning and evening services and more.
The Klickitat Valley pioneers were, on the whole, a God fearing a lot and several groups were organized for holding gospel services at both outdoor and home meetings.
No record is available of any denomination or church mission board sponsoring the first camp meetings but, according to pioneers who attended, they were planned months in advance.
Hugh Adams, a Yakima Indian War veteran, came from the Willamette Valley in 1873 and located at Spring Creek. His son, Ed Adams, was a pioneer day Baptist minister in that locality for many years.
The first Baptist church organized in 1880 failed for lack of leadership.
In 1884, however, Eldred T.J. Harper held a meeting at Spring Creek and organized the Spring Creek Baptist Church. In May, 1886, the Liberty Baptist Church was organized at Fairview, about half-way between Goldendale and Centerville.
The lots where Goldendale First Baptist Church now stands were deeded by John J. Golden, founder of the city, in December of 1887.
Since it was impossible to obtain a regular pastor, some of the early religious pioneers within the Baptist organization were ordained as elders and took turns conducting the services.
1902 saw witness to construction of a new parsonage alongside the church.
In 1913 a joint religious assembly was formed in Goldendale. This lasted one year and included the Adventist, Baptist and christian churches. Members returned to their original churches at the end of the year.
From 1916 to 1929 the First Baptist Church in Goldendale was again without a pastor. The only services were Sunday School and prayer meetings, which were held weekly.
Various periods of growth and efforts to accommodate for needs into the future were accomplished throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
In 1946, additional space was again needed as the church continued to grow. The Sunday School rooms were improved and new lights were installed in the sanctuary. A new basement was completed, new floor made in the annex and an organ was dedicated.
In the fifties, the grounds were landscaped, shrubs and flowers were planted, the basement was completed, a new tri-level parsonage was built and more was done.
The longest term of service by any part pastor at the First Baptist Church was that of the Rev. M.B. Ketcham, from 1959 until his death in 1970.
Through the years and into the future, the First Baptist Church in Goldendale continues to grow and spread its ministry both in Goldendale and across Klickitat County.