Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/581



wood Rev. C. R. Bonnell assumed charge of the congregation in 1872, and re- mained about a year. For a time Rev. James R. W. Sellwood officiated. He was followed in 1874 by Rev. Arthur W. Wrixon, who continued rector for seven years, when Rev. J. W. Sellwood took charge of the work. The church numbers one hundred and eighty-five communicants, and is m a prosperous con- dition.

THE BAPTISTS.

The first Baptist church on the Pacific coast was organized at West Union Washington county, Oregon, May 25, 1844. Two years later the .^rst Baptist meeting house was built at this point. From 1844 to 1848, Rev Vincent Snell- ing Elders Hezekiah Johnson, Ezra Fisher and Porter ministered to the congre- gation. In 1848 the Willamette Baptist Association was organized, at which time there were six churches in the state. . u • id 4.

In i8so the first steps toward the organization of a Baptist church in Port- land were taken. In this year Hezekiah Johnson secured from Stephen Coffin he donation of a half block, corner of Fourth and Alder streets, upon which the First Baptist church was erected, and where the Honeyman Hardware store now stands. Five years later a church organization was perfected with ten members. Rev. W. F. Boyakin was chosen pastor and Josiah Failing deacon. The church was unfortunate in the choice of a pastor, and in i860 only three members remained. With the hope of reviving the church, the Willamette As- sociation appealed to the American Baptist Mission Society to p ace a mission- ary in the field. In response to this request. Rev. Samuel Cornelius, D. D was sent "o labor in Portland. He arrived in June, i860, and on the firs Sunday in Mv preached in the Methodist church. A public hall on First street was after- ward secured where regular meetings were held until January, 1862, when the basement of the present church was so far completed as to be used for religious

'^'"in'september, 1864, Dr. Cornelius returned to the east, leaving a member- ship of fSty-nin; persins. During the next two years the church was withou a pastor! December 27, 1866, Rev. E. C. Anderson arrived to take charge of

'^"MTrch^, 1867, the society was incorporated, and in January, 1870, the church edifice was completed and dedicated. Mr. Anderson completed his labors De- cember, 1870, after which a pastoral vacancy of nearly eighteen months oc-

'""On the second Sunday in June, 1872, Rev. Henry Ledbury began his pas- torate The church soon after became self-supporting, and under Mr xMed Ws' guidance he first mission work of the church was begun. A Sunday burys gumance, y"^ ^ ' Portland- land purchased there for a church, and

?re::L:rseTv1S we e fo ome le mainlaLed by Rev, Addison Jones. The ^Tsston fchool in Stephen's addition, and the Chinese m.ss.on were soon after

^-^'-fhe'f St Baptist congregation is now 8^)^ne of the^agest in^the city, within or near the vicinity of Portland, nas oeen