Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/576

412 form and sang splendidly. The last hymn was in the old "Plymouth Hymn Book.":

One of the ministers with Mr. Chamberlain pronounced the benediction, and as he extended his hands, said: "May that choir sing in heaven!" This was "too much" for many of the choir and congregation, and handkerchiefs were soon in evidence. And so ends Mr. Hime's account of the musicians.

The progress of the churches by consecutive pastorates is given only down to 1890; for the reason that the present church authorities seemed unwilling to furnish any information for this work. A circular letter was sent to all the churches requesting information, and but one of them (the Presbyterian) made any response to it.

Reviewing the progress of the Portland churches from their several foundations down to 1890, Mr. Scott in the first history of Portland (1890), says: "The Taylor Street church is the strongest, both in members and means, among the Methodist churches in Oregon. It has over 500 members, and is the largest contributor to benevolent objects and mission works in the Oregon conference. The following ministers have served this church from the beginning of its history to the present time: J. H. Wilbut, 1848-9; J. L. Parrish, 1849-50; J. H. Wilbur, 1 850- 1; C. S. Kingsley, 1851-52; H. K. Himes, 1853; P. G. Buchanan, 1854; Wm. Roberts, 1855-6; D. Rutledge, 1857; W. S. Lewis, 1858-9; I. Dillon, 1 860- 1; D. Rutledge, 1862-4; B. C. Lippincott, 1865; C. C. Stratton, 1866-7; J. H. White, 1868; Wm. Roberts, 1869-70; George W, Izer, 1871-3; Robert Bentley, 1874-5; C. V. Anthony, 1876-7; J. H. Acton, 1878-80; George W. Izer, 1881-83; G. W. Chandler, 1884-5; W. M. Mullinix, 1886; J. W. Alderman, 1886. The present pastor, Rev. Alfred Kummer, came in September, 1887.

St. Paul's M. E. church was organized in 1869. The first pastor was Rev. A. C. Fairchild. The house of worship used by the congregation of this church is located on the corner of Hall and Sixth streets. The present membership is one hundred and twenty. The pastors who have officiated in this church in order of service have been A. C. Fairchild, Wm. Roberts, T. F. Royal, W. C. Catlin, John F. Flynn, M. Judy, H. K. Himes, G. M. Pierce, J. W. Klepper and the present pastor, C. E. Cline.

The Centenary M. E. church of East Portland was organized in 1867, and has a membership of two hundred and thirty-eight persons. The first pastor was Rev. J. N. Dennison. Rev. J. W. Bushong is the present pastor.

Grace M. E. church was organized in April, 1884, at which time several members withdrew from the Taylor Street Church to perfect the organization. Rev. E. W. Caswell was assigned to the new society, under whose labors a neat chapel was built at the corner of Eleventh and Taylor streets. The society grew rapidly and soon numbered among its members many of the most prominent citizens of Portland. The quarters first erected soon became too small for the large congregations which gathered at the chapel, and the erection of the present church edifice on the corner of Tenth and Taylor streets was begun, and was completed at a cost of $55,000 and dedicated on December 15, 1889.

The German M. E. church was organized in 1880. A church edifice has since been erected at the comer of North Eighth and D streets, where services are conducted in the German language. Rev. Frederick Bohn was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Sinclair. Rev. Frederick Bohn again be-