A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE

SUNNYSIDE-CENTENARY

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

PORTLAND, OREGON

Created by Dr. Mark K. Reed

Sunnyside Methodist Episcopal Church was organized July 6, 1890 in a shoe factory building at East 36^th and Main Streets in Portland, during the ministry of the Rev. G.M. Pierce. The first pastor appointed to the congregation was the Revered Burton E. Case, who came to the congregation in September 1890. The first wooden building, seating 200, was erected on the site of the present church, and was dedicated in July, 1891.

The church grew rapidly, and the first part of the present building was completed in 1911. In 1922, the "Community House Annex" was built. It contained a swimming pool in the basement, and a gymnasium on the top floor.  After a disastrous fire in 1948, the sanctuary was rebuilt with the inclusion of new youth rooms. It was dedicated in 1949. There was community support for the funding effort. There were mortgage burnings in 1943 and 1953. In the 1940's and 1950's the congregation sponsored boy’s basketball teams in the gym. The Sunnyside school and the church had fairs together during this time.  Two Boy Scout groups were active and led by church members until the 1960's when they moved to different locations.

In 1978, the 88^th year of the congregation, many community groups such as the Portland Mime Theater, and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association used the building regularly.  Between 1969-1972, there were many ministries to the local community. Some of those included an after school "Latch Key" program by children attending Sunnyside School, use of the gym for various groups, support for East Cap Low Cost Housing Program, and support for FISH.

The year 2002 will mark 70 years of continuous ministry to persons in the neighborhood and area with the "Golden Wedding Celebration." This annual event, held each October, honors couples who have been married over 50 years.

A Community Reachout program had their office in the church to coordinate volunteer help for seniors and others needing help in shopping, transportation to doctors, and yard or household help -- a much needed and appreciated service. The building has been used by the community as a voting place. VOTE HERE was a familiar sign until precincts were combined.

Released Time religious education for children attending Sunnyside school was a program at the church. Children's attendance was based on their parents’ request. Head Start programs were operated in the church in the 1960's and 1970's. The congregation performed extensive remodeling to accommodate the programs. The activities were later moved to Sunnyside School. In 1979, a second Head Start program was set up in the church in cooperation with the Albina Ministerial Alliance to meet the needs of other children. A monthly health checkup known as a Well Baby Clinic, was held in the years around 1970.

During the years between 1978 and 1984, the Urban Indian Council of Portland established a youth center which utilized the gym and adjacent meeting areas. We hosted a "Chin Up Club," a Christmas dinner and party for the physically impaired. In order to facilitate this, ramps were installed. This ministry was in existence in the 1970's and 1980's.

The Loaves and Fishes and Meals on Wheels programs came to Sunnyside from Glencoe Baptist and Lincoln Street United Methodist in 1973 and continued until 1985 when they merged with the Hinson Baptist program due to budget constraints. Other programs housed at Sunnyside during the 1970's include Oregon Fair Share, Men's Resource Center, Pacific New School, and the Saturday Market Board of Directors. We also worked with EAST-CAP and Church World Service.

In the 1980's, the congregation began new ministries, one of which came in the form of a homeless family shelter. After several adjustments through the years, the shelter has taken its present form of an accommodation for up to nine homeless persons (in families) during the cold weather months.

* Originally written for presentation to the Portland City Council, March 1, 2000.