By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford

The Church is Founded, Constitution is Adopted

It was in March of 1880 that the church was founded -- we are known now as the Kirkland Congregational Church---That is 118 years ago this month. Samuel Green wrote in the church register that day that Mrs. McGregor the Christian woman who had the dream of a church in this area had "since past from earth and we believe is now in heaven" --was having her prayers answered by the organization which was first known as the First Church of Christ of Pleasant Bay. The date was March 7, 1880. Rev. G. H. Atkinson, Supt. of the American Home Missionary Society of New York (then residing in Portland, Oregon) preached the sermon on John 1:1-9, "Christ the Light of the world."

Since two of the new members had not been baptized, Rev. Atkinson performed the rites for Lucy Tuttle, 15, and Louise Tuttle, 13 before the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Following the worship service they adopted by formal vote the constitution and Confession of Faith.

Samuel Green was chosen acting pastor and Caroline French was elected as church clerk. The following Sunday they elected officers and voted to apply for financial aid to the American Home Missionary Society.
The man the group had chosen to be their pastor was a dedicated Christian but was not an ordained minister. Therefore, the first order of business was to call a council of churches to examine his qualifications to judge whether he should be ordained. Congregational churches from Washington Territory (we did not become a state until November, 1889) were invited to meet at Plymouth church in Seattle (founded in 1870). Others included Olympia (1873), Mission (North Seattle), New Tacoma, Pilgrim (Fidalgo Island) and Union (Port Gamble).

Samuel Greene was required to "relate his Christian experiences and his views on the doctrine of the Bible." It was then voted unanimously that this man be ordained which the council did at an impressive ceremony that very evening. The local church approved the action of the council the very next week. "Brother Greene" was now Reverend Greene.

Reverend Greene was 44 years of age at this time. His father was a minister in Beacon Hill, Boston. It was a Congregational home and he was the fifth of 12 children. His father was secretary of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

Rev. Greene and his wife Sarah moved west to Washington Territory where his brother Roger was a judge on the territorial Supreme Court in Olympia. His brother helped him get a job as an assistant Indian agent in Neah Bay where he served from 1874-75.

They then moved to the area which is now Auburn where he farmed and helped organize a church.

Three years later they moved to Seattle and joined Plymouth Congregational Church. It had always been his desire to become a minister. During the next 20 years he left his mark on Congregationalism in Washington as he helped found over 90 churches and hundreds of Sunday Schools. The only pastorate he served as a minister was the first Church of Christ of Pleasant Bay. (Our church.)

The newly chartered church filed for incorporation by stating the name, place of business, membership, officers, meetings and object. This was done to abide by the laws of the Territory of Washington. The official document registering the corporation was signed and had the seal attached by S. Foster French, Justice of the Peace, Juanita Precinct, King County, Washington Territory.