Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Pruitt Family Fills Parsonage
A new man with fresh ideas came to serve the church in the fall of 1937. The congregation sought a younger person who could motivate the work of the church after the troubled times of the depression period. In Reverend Robert Pruitt the found these qualities and called him to serve as their pastor. In November he moved from Bryn Mawr near Renton to Kirkland with his wife and five children, Roberta, Paul, Kenneth, Robert and Betty. He was offered a salary of $75 per month and $15 a month for house. His son, Paul went on to become a minister and was one of our special guests at our 120th outdoor anniversary celebration in August.
The following March the church had increased in membership and the finances were improving. Many in the congregation wanted a fitting memorial for Rev. C. E. Newberry who served the church for so many years. A suggestion was made to build a new church. A committee of 15 was appointed to research the matter. In April the committee, chaired by Clayton Shinstrom formed a caravan to drive to Bellingham to look over the Congregational church in that city.
The Pruitt family needed a larger house. The Bell house, originally built by James Bell and his wife, Marie Kirk Bell, was for sale. It was next door to the church and a special fund drive raised $1100 to make the purchase. Extensive renovation was needed and several church members in a series of work sessions made the needed repairs to that the family could move in on November 1, 1938.
This year the Sunday School superintendent was Mr. Shannon and the Beginners class was taught by Winifred Johnson. Her husband Morton was the long-time Superintendent of the Lake Washington School District. Sunday School treasurer was Paul Johnston.
The Ladies Aid had increased in size and a division was made by ages. Christian Endeavor was called Youth Pilgrim Fellowship and the leader was Paul Pruitt, who later became a minister like his father.
Choir robes were needed so the 16 member choir under the direction of Luella Wilstie gave two special concerts to raise funds.
In January, 1939, just two years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Newberry died. She was affectionately called "Aunt Amelia" by many who had known her as their Camp Fire leader.
The primary building was leaking badly. The Board of Trustees passed a motion "that the Sunday School board assume the obligation of re-roofing." The job needed to be done immediately to save the piano from further damage.
Membership numbered 119 families in the fall of 1939. An addition of 17 new members included a number of young people. Enid Nelson, later to become Mrs. Paul Johnston, was one of these.
A two page bulletin commercially printed on glossy paper was used on Sunday's bulletin. In addition to the order of worship and several inspirational paragraphs it included other items of interest. Stragglers Club for Junior and Senior High Students met Sunday evenings and Pilgrim Fellowship met Wednesday evening outdoors when the weather permitted.
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