Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/583

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and members. He was especially active in mission work among the Indians of the northwest, aiding in establishing missions among the Alaskans, Nez Perces, Puyallups, Umatillas, Spokanes and others. His pastorate continued for over eighteen years, and during this period he organized twenty-one churches and dedicated twenty-two, while the gifts of the church for all purposes amounted to over $240,000. His election to the chair of practical theology in the San Francisco Seminary, led to his resignation as pastor in November, 1886.

In January, 1886, the old church property was sold at public auction for $68,000, and the erection of a new church on the quarter block on the corner of Alder and Tenth streets, which had been purchased in 1883, was commenced. It is a fine stone structure, the total cost of which, including furnishings, cost about $125,000. Dr. Lindsley's resignation and removal to California left the church without a pastor, and so it continued until January, 1888, when a unani- mous call was extended to Rev. Arthur J. Brown of Oak Park, Illinois. Mr. Brown accepted the pastorate, and on May 9, 1888, was duly installed.

This church now (1890) numbers over 400 members, and is in a most flour- ishing condition. For many years it was the only Presbyterian church in Port- land and vicinity, but when it became apparent that other churches were neces- sary, some of its members withdrew for the purpose of forming new organiza- tions. Where recently but one Presbyterian church existed, eight are now doing effective work, and to this development the old church has been able to contribute to a considerable extent, in both membership and means. The Portland Sea- man's Friend Society, and the Bethany Mission, the latter organized in August, 1889, are also largely sustained by the First Presbyterian church. The officers of the church are as follows : Ruling elders — Royal K. Warren, William B. Gil- bert, Stephen P. Lee, Edward Quackenbush, Alfred Stowell. Trustees — Henry W. Corbett, Thomas N. Strong, William S. Ladd, Donald Maaleay and Dr. George M. Wells (1890).

Calvary Presbyterian church was organized in February, 1882, by some fifty members who withdrew from the First Presbyterian church, since which time it has been maintained independently of the parent church and the "board of home missions." The first officers elected were: George J. Ainsworth, H. C. Coleman, John Honeyman, Wesley Jackson, William Wadhams, and Dr. Curtis C. Strong, elders; and Henry J. Corbett, treasurer. On July i, 1882, Rev. Edward Trumbull L^e became pastor. Soon after Mr. Lee began his labors, a lot was purchased on the corner of Clay and Ninth strets, and on this site the cornerstone of the present church building was laid September 11, 1882, Dr. Lindsley of the First church delivering the address. The building was completed in about a year's time and cost $35,000. The seating capacity of the auditorium is 500, and the chapel 300. A little to the north of the church building is the church parsonage, which is owned by the church and occupied by the pastor. Mr. Lee resigned in 1887, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. H. Landon.

St. John's Presbyterian church in North Portland is the outgrowth of the mission labors of Rev. Robert J. Laughlin, who was sent to this field by the Presbyterian board of home missions in 1881. His labors, however, were largely sustained by the First Presbyterian congregations. A Sabbath school was first organized at the Couch engine room on G street about the middle of August, 1S83, while preaching services were held every Sabbath evening at Watson's hall, corner of Sixteenth and T streets. A short time after the mission was opened, two lots on the corner of Sixteenth and M streets were donated by Mrs. J. H. Couch, and upon them in 1884 the present church edifice was built. The congregation was organized in November, 1884, some thirteen of the members of the First church withdrawing from that body to complete the organization. Mr. Laughlin was succeeded as pastor in 1888 by Rev. L. V. Milligan. (Dur- ing his service to the church in Portland, Mr. Laughlin had also in charge two other missions, one at St. Johns, and one at Sellwood, both of which have grown into flourishing churches. But being attacked by an affection of the lungs was