Our History: Beech Street Methodist Episcopal Church

   Beech Street was organized as the Swedish Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church on November 19, 1890  In the beginning, the meetings were held in homes.  In the Spring of 1893, the church moved to a new location at Mississippi and Beech.  The Sunday School was organized, with M. L. Swenson as Superintendant.

     In the Fall of 1893, a chapel was built and the congregation moved into their own building.  The pastor was John A. Anderson.  An Epworth League and Ladies Aid were organized in 1895 under the pastorate of the Rev. C. A. Anderson.

     In 1897, property at Beech and Borthwick was purchased.  The chapel was moved to this location and was used until the new church was built.  The cornerstone was laid May 14, 1900 by Bishop Earl Cranton.

     Reverend K. O. Berglund became pastor at that time, remaining for four years, during which time a parsonage was built.  The membership was now 43, with 66 persons enrolled in Sunday School.

     In 1926, the church was remodeled to accommodate a larger membership and Sunday School.

     The Swedish Methodist Conference was disolved in 1932 and the congregation was transferred into the Oregon Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  At that time the name of the congregation became Beech Street Methodist Episcopal Church.  The pastor was J. M. Burdell.

     The first English speaking pastor was the Rev. Meredith Groves, who was appointed in 1935.  This brought a definite change in the program of the congregation.  Because of restricted immigration, fewer foreign speaking people came, which resulted in a reduced attendance.  With the change to an all English service, there was a definite upward trend in attendance and the congregation found opportunities for expanded ministry.

     For many years, the church continued its program at this location.  Then, as the ethnicity of the community began to change, the congregation was again faced with declining attendance.  After months of conversations, the membership finally voted to merge with the Woodlawn Methodist Church.  Official merger took place June 3, 1956.

     Following is a list of pastors who served the Beech Street Church: