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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2017)
Page 8C East Oregonian OFF PAGE ONE Saturday, April 15, 2017 Staff photo by E.J. Harris The St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Echo was dedicated in 1913 but now lies in disuse. CHURCHES: Echo Community United Methodist Church was built in 1886 hoped to ring the church’s bell 100 times during the 2007 centennial. However, increased attendance, the congregation the rope broke during the process — and dedicated a new structure April 3, 1922, that’s the last time it has sounded. on East Gladys Avenue. Expanding A highlight in the building is a number over the years to accommodate swelling of stained glass windows. Provided as congregations, the church continues to gifts and memorials, they add beauty to meet in that location. the sanctuary. For its centen- Of particular nial, “A History note is a large of a Church” one of Jesus that was compiled in was donated 2007 by Dave by the Ladies Hutchinson, Aid Society, the Dorothy Irish precursor to the and Lela Collier. United Methodist It described the Women’s, Hector church’s construc- said. tion as a labor of Aside from the love with most of building and its the carpentry and history, Hector said masonry work a more important performed by part of the church church members. is the people. A trained civil Attendance has engineer and dwindled over the architect, Henry years — regular John Ott provided Sunday services instrumental input shrank to around into its construc- 90 people 20 tion, son Walther years ago and now Ott said in a letter hovers around 45. about the church’s Despite the low Staff photo by E.J. Harris history. Ott numbers, Hector suggested design The stained glass window at the views the people of the chapel at the First United methods that end Methodist Church in Hermiston was as more important would be long- donated by the Ladies’ Aid Society. that the actual lasting and require structure. little maintenance. “At some point, Phil Hector, who has helped with the you cross over to the memories of the music program and finance committee, people and the pastors,” he said. “It’s an said the building remains in good condi- ongoing river of service and faith.” tion, considering its age. “It’s a struggle for the congregation to Echo keep it that way,” he said. “It’s old and The city of Echo is proud of its had demands.” heritage and history. The town makes Hutchinson said Rev. Syd Bell had it a priority to preserve and renovate its Continued from 1C Staff photo by Kathy Aney The Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church, west of Adams, was built in 1884 and is now a heritage site maintained by the Greasewood Finnish Heritage Society. historic buildings. St. Peter’s Catholic Church, de-conse- crated in 1996, and the Echo Community United Methodist Church were both added to the National Register of Historic Places Aug. 28, 1997. “For Echo as a whole, we as a commu- nity feel that our history and our heritage is represented by our historic buildings and sites,” said city administrator Diane Berry. “It’s what makes us special and unique.” St. Peter’s Catholic Church, constructed in 1913 in the Portuguese Colonial Revival style, features a distinc- tive stucco façade. The interior houses ornate statues and a faux marble altar. In 1996, it was donated by the Diocese of Baker to the Fort Henrietta Foundation. The building has received a new roof and some basic repairs, including replacement of some windows. The Echo Kiwanis have committed time and resources to help clean and repair Staff photo by E.J. Harris Echo Community Methodist Church in downtown Echo. the building, as well as heading up fundraisers to contribute to the ongoing renovation. The Echo Community United Methodist Church was originally built in 1886 on land donated by J.H. and Cynthia Koontz. A simple New England vernacular style, the church was expanded and transformed into the Gothic Revival style in 1910 when the Koontzes donated additional land. The congregation, according to a history written by Bennie Lee Tolar, originally met at “Spikes Grove,” a spot along the Umatilla River, located in a cottonwood tree grove south of town. Circuit rider ministers, who arrived by horseback, led the outdoor services. Families often camped along the river for a week or more while participating in worship services and communal meals. Greasewood Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church Located five miles west of Adams, the Greasewood Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church was built in 1884. It provided a place of worship for the Finnish Laesta- dian community, with services presented in their native language. According to “Pioneer Trails Volume 9,” Finnish immigrants were lured to Oregon from Michigan to claim free homesteads. Many came to the area, building homesteads and farming the land. “For one dollar, Peter and Josephine Enbysk donated one acre of land for the church in the center of the settlement,” the article states. Longtime Pendleton resident James W. Enbysk, who died July 2015, was among the descendants. He was proud of his heritage and often wrote articles for the Umatilla County Historical Society’s “Pioneer Trails.” Although services are no longer held at the building, which is surrounded by wheat fields, the fenced churchyard springs to life as the weather warms with colorful wildflowers. The property is maintained by the Greasewood Finnish Heritage Society. In addition, it has been a featured stop during Century Farm Tours presented by the Umatilla County Historical Society. ——— Contact Tammy Malgesini at tmal- gesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564- 4539.