Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/605



The First Presbyterian church organized west of the Rocky mountains was the one at Clatsop Plains in Clatsop County, Oregon, looking directly out on the great Pacific ocean. This church was organized by Rev. Lewis Thompson, September 19, 1846.

Previous to the organization of the First Presbyterian church, Presbyterians upon their arrival in Portland found here no church home. The Congregational brethren had preceded them and established a house of worship. The two denominations are not so wide apart in their belief. It is therefore not surprising that Presbyterians affiliated with the Congregational church in Portland's early days.

We find, however, that Presbyterians assisted in the organization of this First Congregational church. The original records of the Congregational church are preserved and are now in the archives of the Oregon Historical Society.