Richmond Beach Church Hits Century Mark

Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 1512 N.W. 129th, celebrated its centennial last weekend with the performance of a play on the church's history and a special 100-minute service.

Church members spent weeks preparing for the celebration. The sanctuary, narthex and Pilgrim Hall all received a new coat of paint, thanks to many volunteers.

Highlighted during the weekend was the church's rich history.

The church began when the Rev. O.L. Fowler of Edmonds gathered a Sunday School of 50 people in a grove at Richmond Beach in July 1890. When fall came, they met in the upper story of a store.

Nearly a year later, seven people presented themselves for membership following services. Formal organization took place after a prayer meeting March 4, 1891.

From these beginnings, the Richmond Beach Congregational Church has grown to 409 members, has been housed in three churches and has become a community center.

Over the past 100 years, the church has endured financial problems, discord and fire. Many things have changed in the community and in the way people approach their faith.

In 1908, it was decided that the church could not be used for entertainment that did not benefit it directly or indirectly. Today, the church has about 15 community meetings each month, an annual bazaar, political meetings and a day-care center.

During the Depression, the congregation could not meet the pastor's salary. The Rev. Aaron Ferch and his family lived on what was left after the church bills were paid. By October 1932 the church treasury had a balance of 8 cents, fuel bills were being paid in installments and an insurance policy had lapsed. With a missionary grant of $200, the doors were kept open.

The first church building was completed in 1907 on two donated lots at Northwest 197th Street and 23rd Avenue Northwest. Tragedy struck on a Sunday morning in September 1923 when the church burned. Only the pulpit, piano and bell were saved. The following Sunday, services were held in the school.

After the school building burned in December 1923, construction of the new building was rushed to completion, and the school moved into the church.

The current church, at 15th Avenue Northwest and Richmond Beach Road, was dedicated Nov. 26, 1961, on a 2-acre site purchased in 1955.

Over the years, the church has been served by 25 ministers, from the Rev. O.L. Fowler to Dr. Stephen Hanning, who has been leading the church since June 1983.

This rich history was celebrated Saturday with the performance of ``The Halloway Story'' by member Nancy Smuck.

The play was set in the hotel operated by the Halloways, pioneer residents of Richmond Beach, who arrived by train from Illinois in February 1889. Later they operated the hotel and ran the post office from the building.

During a special 100-minute afternoon service Sunday, the Rev. Bob Bradbury, former pastor, recalled the changes during the 1960s that reached into the church, allowing women to take a more active role and ushers serving communion on boards.

The church was filled with friends and members, both past and present, in the special service. Marge Unruh, who spearheaded the celebration, was honored, as was longtime member Wayne Smuck, now deceased.

Hanning once said in a sermon, ``We choose our destiny by setting a course and going for it.'' The Richmond Beach Congregational Church set its course 100 years ago and went for it. Happy 100th birthday.

Judy Van Deen's column on Shoreline people and places appears each month in North Life.