First Christian Church (Springfield)

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First Christian Church

Building Description
Style	Georgian
Construction	September 19, 1948
Destruction
Architect	Percy D. Bentlay
Original Owner
Initial Use	Church
Square Footage
Height
Location
City	Springfield
Area	Washburne
Address	4th and North A streets
Zip Code	97477
Historical Importance Distinctions
Early historical church

History

Foundation to 1904

Springfield Christian Church dates to the 1860s. It is affiliated with the Pioneer Cemetery, which was formally established in 1866, even though a grave stone dated 1848 indicates the burial site may have been used much earlier.

Old church rolls of the Springfield First Christian indicate that a congregation was formed sometime before 1872. The old church roll shows that Mary Ann Spencer and P.M. McPhearson were members of the congregation before their marriage in that year. Dates on the tombstones in the old church yard indicate the cemetery was in use as early as the death of James Mackey in 1848. Three of the six names which are given as forming the cemetery association in October 1866, appear on the earliest church roll. In 1873 the denomination ran a school (Murphy 1873:254). Records show there was an election of officers and re-organization on December 31, 1879.

The Christian Church was erected near the Pioneer Cemetery on Willamette Heights in 1880 (Graham 1878c). None of these early church buildings have survived. The first church building was located on the hill south of the old railroad tracks, on land donated by Isaac Briggs, founder of Springfield. This building was completed in 1880 according to records by P.J. McPherson, clerk at the time.

1905 to 1924

On lot 4 of block 41, the First Christian Church was built and remained there until approximately 1905 when it moved to it's present street location at 4th and North A streets. It was remodeled and an addition was made in 1907. That structure burned in 1922 and the congregation met upstairs in a building at the corner od 3rd Street and Main Street until 1924 when the new building was completed.

1924 to 1981

This building burned the last Sunday in December, 1945.

The cornerstone was laid for the new buildings on Sunday March 23, 1947 at 3:00 P.M. at 4th anf North "A" Streets. Percy D. Bentlay was the architect and W.H. Shields was the contractor. It is a fire-proof building, constructed of masonry blocks. The sanctuary is simple, yet beautiful in its design. The church was dedicated on September 19, 1948.

The Springfield Christian Church was chosen to be shown in model and picture at the International Convention of Christian Churches in 1948 at San Francisco, California. It was the model church of the year because of its harmonious styling anf its modern functional design.

In 1972 it became necessary to expand this building again. The mortgage was burned on January 11, 1976.

The Springfield Church has grown to its present participating membership of 414. During the pastoral leadership of James Fraley, the church provided leadership and financial assistance for the establishment of the Northwood Christian Church of Springfield in 1962.

Members of the church have actively served on the Regional Board and its committees and commissions. During his ministey at Springfield, Earl Gibbs served as President of the Christian Church in Oregon in 1970; Marjorie Moshier served as State Chairman for Children's Work; Rae Nell directed the C.W.F. Retreat at Menucha in 1971; Zola Ehlers chaired the C.W.F. 1976 Dall Retreats; and Sharon Warner is vice president of the Christian Church in Oregon for 1976 to 1977. Some have served at Northwest Christian College; Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Moon and Hattie Mitchell were missionaries in the Belgian Congo, and the present pastor, Ed McIndoo was president of the Turner Christian Convention for 1977. Mr. McIndoo began his ministry at the Springfield Church on January 15, 1975.

In November, 1977 Arlene Peightal became the Associate Pastor of the Church with special assignments in areas of Christian education. In April, 1980 she was elected president of the Christian Church in Oregon.