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Port Angeles UMC History |
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Click on a year to jump ahead: A few townsfolk formed a Sunday School. 50 - 60 children attended. Rev. A. J. McNamee, pastor of the Dungeness Circuit including Port Angeles, visited the community infrequently. The Dungeness Circuit was 40 miles long and traveled by foot. In the spring of 1890, Mrs. Emma Malloy Barrett conducted a revival meeting in the town. The Rev. W.R. Warren officially organized the First Methodist Church out of the Sunday School and the converts of the revival. That year, Bishop John P. Newman of Omaha, Nebraska, appointed Rev. Warren to Port Angeles at the Puget Sound Conference. Nine members were received in the church on probation, being given full membership a year later. Rev. Warren found no church building, no members and no place to reside. Weekly prayer meetings were held in the barn of A. H. Nottage and parsonage accommodations were supplied in the Nottage home. The Town Council Chambers in the Opera House near First & Laurel Streets was the meeting place for church services. Fifty cents per Sunday was the rent paid. In 1891, a frame church was erected at the southeast corner of First and Peabody Streets. It was valued at $900. The membership totaled 28, with six children and seven adults baptized during the year. The steeple and belfry were added to the building. The building was also enlarged and served the congregation until 1930. The first Methodist parsonage was bought, located at Sixth and Chase Streets, and was used from 1909 to 1930. The church purchased lots at the southeast corner of Seventh and Laurel Streets and even in the midst of the Great Depression in 1929, pledged financial support for and built most of the present structure. The old church was sold to the Central Labor Council and is presently the Carpenters Hall. The new church is a building of old California mission-type architecture. The Great Depression of the 1930's set in and created many problems for the financing of the debt. The May 4, 1930 church bulletin for the dedication ceremony gives the church name as, The First Methodist Episcopal Church and Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church. In 1924, a division occurred in the First Congregational Church and some members formed the Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church. They united with the First Methodist Church in service and worship maintaining their denominational identity in their missionary support, but agreeing to the Methodist leadership, policy and program. During the Depression years the Methodist Church Sunday School enrollment was 300 with an average attendance of 200. The 1933 Church membership was 145. The church celebrated it's golden jubilee with a membership of nearly 400. During 1941-42, U.S. soldiers were sent to the Olympic Peninsula before camps and barracks were ready. Using the Methodist Church social hall over a period of three months, many soldiers were provided for in makeshift quarters. In 1952, the church was finally free of debt and there was a dinner and mortgage burning ceremony to celebrate. Membership at that time was: Congregational, 30; Methodist, 773. Also in 1952, the organ chimes unit was installed and dedicated in memory of Orville L. Harris. The Sarah E. Brown Trust Fund was announced and dedicated to be used for educational help for worthy church youth. The fund is still providing help today. In 1953, a new parsonage at 217 W. 13th was purchased. In 1955, a church building fund was established. The Women's Society annual rummage sale became an annual bazaar, an event looked forward to every year by the entire community. In 1961, a new educational unit with offices and a parlor-chapel was erected. Completion of the second floor was done in stages as funds were available. It was completed in 1967 as a memorial to Henry H. Jenson. In 1968, the union of the Evangelical United Brethren with the Methodist Church was consummated and the name, The United Methodist Church, resulted. The Port Angeles Church then became The First United Methodist and Congregational Church. In 1969, the Cleon C. Bemis memorial library was dedicated. The church celebrated its 85th anniversary in September of 1975. A new parsonage was purchased on Apple Lane. In 1977, the Lamon Lounge was furnished as a memorial for Gaylen and Edith Lamon. In 1978, the sanctuary, which previously faced east, was remodeled so it faced west with the addition of a parking lot on the east side of the building. The sign at the north door on Seventh Street was carved from first growth clear cedar that came from the Forks area. Ward Coburn carved the sign. In 1984, the church exchanged pastors with a church in New Zealand. Rev. Ivan Clucas and his wife Lois came to us, while Rev. Kenneth Dooley and his wife Vivian served a church in Rotorua. In 1983, United Methodist Productions began. This intergenerational ministry combines music, drama and dance and provides the church and community with very special entertainment. In the late 1980's, the UMW opened the "Clothes Closet". It's purpose is to provide quality clothing to the 'working poor'. Originally meant to clothe women, the Clothes Closet now provides men's and children's clothing as well. It is entirely staffed by volunteers and funded by donations. The Church's centennial was celebrated with a variety of events. Members were encouraged to wear vintage clothing. Celebratory banners were hung in the sanctuary and a banquet was held. Former members and current members exchanged memories of their 'church family' experiences in Port Angeles. The membership was listed as numbering 800. In 1992, as another means of community outreach the Friendship Dinners were started. Every Friday a dinner is offered to the community with no offering or donation asked for. In the beginning about 30 people were fed each week. Now, over a hundred are fed on Friday nights. It has become an ecumenical project, with other churches and some civic organizations participating regularly. In 1999, plans were presented and work began on refurbishing the interior of the church. The sanctuary was turned to face east again and the decor returned more closely to its original "mission style". The social hall, restrooms, Lamon lounge, parlor and pastor's offices have all been refinished and refurbished. The membership rolls were examined and current membership is 586. |
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Our Mission Statement To be a community of believers, glorifying God by reaching out and touching others with the knowledge, love, and teachings of Jesus Christ, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. |
Rev. W. R. Warren
Current Sanctuary
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