First Congregational Church
of Bellingham

-A History


By the Reverend Donel McClellan

The first church building
         Our congregation was founded in July of 1883 by a few hardy souls who sought to bring the leaven of religion to a rather wild, Northwestern settlement of lumber workers and fishers. We weren't the only church to be founded that year. For some reason, in a churchless community, five congregations sprang into being in the span of a single year.

         The little congregation which became this church was incorporated as the Tabernacle Church of Washington. The handwritten articles of incorporation stated that: "The object and purpose of the Tabernacle Church is for the promotion of Religion and piety, and the advancement of the Christian Religion: and to hold and use such personal and real estate as may seem necessary to accomplish this purpose."

The church bell

          In a single year, the new congregation was able to erect their first building at F Street and Astor in what is now the parking lot of the Lighthouse Mission. At that time, I understand, the bay came a bit closer to town and, on the first anniversary of their founding, just as the new building was to be dedicated, a special gift arrived. It was a church bell, donated by a congregational woman in New England, and transported by ship around the horn to the Congregational headquarters in San Francisco. From there it was sent to the newest congregation in the Northwest. Many members struggled to carry the heavy bell by hand up the muddy hill from the bay and install it in the tower of our first church building to call the congregation to prayer. Our bell also served to gather the community to respond to disasters such as the fires in Seattle and Vancouver.
         That first building met the needs of the growing congregation for 17 years. In 1902 it was sold and a new church was built on H Street and Clinton. At that time the small congregation merged with the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven and changed its name to include that of its denomination.

         The First Congregational Church of Whatcom, soon changed again when the new community of Bellingham was created. That church was a wonderful, modern building with a huge furnace in the basement to keep it warm in the coldest winter and sloping floors so the members could see clearly what happened in the chancel. The newly popular theater style seating assured that the congregation was comfortable and that everyone could see and hear clearly. The acquisition and installation of a Kimball pipe organ, the first north of Seattle completed a setting for worship and community meetings which was outstanding.

More important, the church was built adjacent to the streetcar line which followed Clinton Street. It was easier to get to church in those days than it is today, and parking was no problem for those who took the streetcar. Former minister Dwight Smith recalls,
 

The church at H and Clinton Street.

         "In earlier years of the church the gully to the south had been filled with a wooden trestle carrying the trolley line from town beyond Whatcom Creek. . . . as an asset for funerals this was unmatched. When the service was ended, the casket could be carried up to the double doors, down the stairs and then to the walk where the funeral car stood waiting. The front section was the hearse, behind which sat rows of mourners. Then the funeral procession, all in one car, went along the trestle, over Whatcom Creek, through town and up to the cemetery gate.

         This portal to portal service added prestige and distinction to the Congregational Church for years."
 

The Rev. William O. Wark

          With a new building, the church was still struggling. It had seen seven pastors come and go in its first twenty years of life. In 1905 a creative and innovative minister was called to the church. The Rev. William O.Wark abounded with energy. He organized a boys club, the Knights of King Arthur which established the congregation as one concerned with children and families. He began the practice of printing bulletins each Sunday, and organized a new choir known as the harmony guild. It was so successful that the chancel was remodeled to accommodate them.

         On Good Friday, 1905, the choir of 60 voices sang Stainer's Crucifixion to a standing room only congregation. In June the choir found a larger venue for their production of Gaul's The Holy City in the American Theater.

         It is possible that Mr. Wark was a bit ahead of his time in his vision of ministry. His proposal that the church construct a gymnasium for youth in the community met with opposition on the church board and for a number of reasons, the church slipped away from the heights to which he brought it.

         He left in 1909 after five productive years of ministry. Five ministers succeeded him in the next 18 years.
         From 1915 until the mid-thirties the congregation experienced difficult times. The world war and the depression took their toll on the economy of the city. The streetcar line was removed and the church became less accessible. In addition, that part of town was no longer the desirable neighborhood it had been.

         The church was invaded by small, four-legged rodents who snuck up from the docks below to chew on the organ leathers. During the war, this congregation met with the First Presbyterian Church in their sanctuary with the Congregational minister, William Marshall in charge of the temporarily merged congregations.

         Our congregation had declined to a few hardy souls when a young, bright minister came to Bellingham with his wife. Dwight Smith helped us to move quickly to purchase property in a better part of town.

         This was almost a life and death struggle for the church. The congregation was not wholly in agreement. However, by 1938 they completed a small but most attractive Meeting House with a lovely parlor and kitchen. The wonderful organ came along, as did the old church bell, which sat on the front porch of the church for many years.
 

The meeting house

The Rev. Carl Calhoun

          The congregation grew under the ministry of Dwight Smith and even more so when his successor Carl Calhoun came to serve as its pastor.

         By the mid-forties, there was not enough room in the little sanctuary, so a building committee set to work to raise funds for a 'real' sanctuary. That fund drive was successful, raising $60,000 in 48 hours. More of the property on the church block was purchased, and a new sanctuary, social hall and kitchen were constructed.

         Then, a funny thing happened. After a few months, the new building became more and more full. Younger families with children joined the congregation and the church was forced to buy yet more lots on the block.

         With another effort to raise funds and the dedicated work of our membership, the Christian Education addition was completed in 1961.
 

The Rev. Vincent Crane
 

 

          Following the brief ministry of Don Lamka, The Rev. Vincent Crane was called in 1964 from Forest Grove, Oregon. Bringing great enthusiasm to his new parish, Vince Crane organized a visitation evangelism program which resulted in fifty-two new members being received at the Easter service in 1965. As the program of the church grew, the first part-time associate minister was called in 1966. Elmer Erickson served the congregation for ten years with a special emphasis on calling.
 

        A heart attack and surgery interrupted Vince Crane's ministry for a time in 1973, but he returned with energy and vision following a brief time of recuperation.

         Among his significant accomplishment was further strengthening of the church staff. In 1977, following Elmer Erickson's retirement, Joseph Newcomer was called as Associate Minister with special responsibility for the Christian Education and Youth program of the church.

         Failing health forced Vince Crane to retire earlier than he had expected. He left a strong and lively congregation with much appreciation for his faithful ministry. Joe Newcomer left his position at the same time.
         Following an interim period, Donel McClellan was called in 1981 from Woodland Hills, California. Since he is writing this review, let it simply be said that the church and the community were a welcome and delightful surprise to him. The congregation continued its emphasis on Christian Education, at first with a number of skilled and dedicated persons working a few hours per week. In 1985 the church hired Bobbi Virta as Christian Education Coordinator. Building upon the work of her predecessors, Bobbi made sure that every child in the congregation, from infants to high school students, knew that they were welcome, valued and an important part of our Family in Christ.

         Over the years we have watched growth in church school beginning originally in the lower grades and moving forward each year until confirmation classes and youth groups were large and lively.

         Over its long history, the First Congregational Church has been committed to service in our community and around the world. During Vince Crane's tenure, the congregation sponsored a Cambodian refugee family and more recently, two Bosnian refugee families.

         In 1981 the congregation was one of the founding members of the Interfaith Coalition. That agency has grown to be a major contributor of medical, dental and mental health care, and transitional housing in our community.

The Rev. Donel McClellan

In addition to financial support, the church provides an office and meeting rooms to the Interfaith coalition.

In 1987 a special offering was shared with the Plumtree congregation of the United Congregational Church of South Africa in Zimbabwe. The support helped complete a church building for that congregation and built friendships across the world.
 
         In 1986 the congregation called Cynthia Bauleke as half time Associate for Pastoral Care. Her portfolio included training the congregation and staff to provide caring and loving attention to all who face difficulty.

         Cindy's gifts were so abundant and so much appreciated that the church worked to increase her hours and compensation until she was full time. At that point, Donel and Cindy proposed a new concept of ministry. Comparing notes, they discovered that although the emphasis was different, each was active in all aspects of parish ministry. They suggested that the church consider them not a Senior and Associate Pastor, but a Pastoral Team.

          In that concept, there is no hierarchy - each is the pastor of the church. Donel emphasized preaching and worship in his time allocation and Cindy gave priority to pastoral care.
 

The Rev. Cynthia Bauleke
         Today in 1999, the congregation is approaching 600 members in size. The church building is cramped with the heavy use of an active program. Some effort is being expended to determine the direction which will continue the ministry of the First Congregation Church, United Church of Christ in its second century of life.

-Donel McClellan