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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2017)
LIFESTYLES WEEKEND, APRIL 15-16, 2017 Staff photo by E.J. Harris The cornerstone of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer was placed in May 1875, making it the oldest house of worship in Pendleton currently in use. By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian and rich history elsewhere in Umatilla County. According to a 1976 booklet created by the West End Ministerial Association, Rev. William Deweese of Echo’s Methodist Episcopal Church began holding religious gatherings in the Hermiston home of Col. and Mrs. Horace G. Newport. Beginning in August 1906, they are believed to be the first religious services held in the town. As pioneers moved westward across the United States, many brought with them a strong faith in God. It wasn’t long before people began to assemble based on common beliefs. Many early gatherings took place in public buildings or people’s homes. Referred to as “circuit riders,” traveling Episcopal Church of the Redeemer ministers would come into town and The cornerstone of Pendleton’s Epis- preach. As their numbers increased, copal church was laid in groups of believers set out to construct church “It’s nice to see our May 1875. Nearly 120 years later, the building buildings to worship in. In Pendleton, a pair church lasted more remains. In addition, it holds the distinction of early churches were than 100 years. as the oldest church being built in the late building in Pendleton 1800s within a stone’s It ties us to the still being used as a throw of each other on people that came place of worship by its what is now Southeast original congregation. Second Street. An before us.” “It’s nice to see our informal race was on between the Episcopa- — Rev. Charlotte Wells, church lasted more than 100 years,” Wells said. lians and the Methodists current pastor of Episcopal “It ties us to the people to complete their Church of the Redeemer that came before us.” building first. Historian Mildred Rev. Charlotte Wells, the current pastor of Episcopal Church Searcy chronicled the history of the of the Redeemer, said Episcopalian church during its centennial in a booklet pioneers focused on the exterior portion called “The Little Brown Jug.” The of the building, while just down the church was called by that name by the road, the Methodists concentrated on the husbands of the pioneer women who were instrumental in starting the church. interior. Wells said if it weren’t for the perse- “We finished our building first,” Wells said. “But they were able to have their verance of the nearly two dozen women, the church might not have been orga- service first.” The Methodists also have a long nized. Rev. Lemuel Wells (not related Staff photo by E.J. Harris The First United Methodist Church circa 1922 in Hermiston. Staff photo by E.J. Harris The ambry in the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is used to store sacraments used for communion. to the current pastor), a circuit riding minister from Walla Walla, came into town. Stopping by the saloons, he invited men to Episcopal services to be held the next day in the courthouse. Women and children were in atten- dance but the men were more interested in drinking and gambling on a Sunday horse race. Wells said he’d hold a special service on Monday for the men. However, as the story goes, the men lost money and didn’t want to show up to a church service with empty pockets. Charlotte Wells said people enjoy the beauty of the church’s interior, which features a marble-clad altar, intricate wood carvings, a blue-paneled ceiling over the altar, wood paneling and vivid stained glass windows, including what is believed to be an original Tiffany & Co. A large window just off the main altar commemorates the pioneer women of the church. A highlight, Wells said, is one depicting the “Ascension of Christ” at the back of the chapel. “Even if there’s no light on inside, it still glows,” Wells said. “It’s stunning.” Regular attendance is 60-70 people, with High Holy Days reaching 100-120, Wells said. The Episcopal church, she said, is very tradition-minded. However, since the human race isn’t the same as it was 2,000 years ago, Wells said the church changes with the times. “We want to honor tradition, but we don’t want to be so bound by tradition that we don’t change,” she said. First United Methodist Church By the summer of 1907, shortly after Hermiston was incorporated, the Meth- odist church was formally organized in the town. “During Hermiston’s centennial, it also was our centennial,” said Judi Mason, a former church secretary. “It was impressive to me that the church has lasted that long.” Referred to as the “Bungalow Church,” the first building was constructed in 1908. Located on North- east Third Street, it was used from 1909- 1922, later becoming a parsonage. With See CHURCHES/8C