Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrated
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the First Congregational Church of Kirkland was observed in October, 1944.
Church members felt the need for a unifying world organization and joined the covenant for the Congregational Christian Compact for World Order which had been proposed nationally. It read in part "We pray that our nation shall help to establish an international organization for the better ordering of interdependent life of nations, the preservation of peace with justice and the furtherance of the general good of all peoples."
In 1945 Morton Johnson was elected as a deacon. "Mort" as he was fondly called by all was Superintendent of the newly formed Lake Washington School District which consolidated all of the area surrounding Kirkland and Redmond.
Apparently, some of the congregation were objecting to the amount of time the minister was spending away from the church. Reverend Blish was involved in several civic organizations and war-time boards. In his annual report, he indicated these activities were part of his duty in view of the manpower shortage. Other events mentioned at this time was that the trustees decided to ask the city about the possibility of paving Fifth Avenue on the south side of the church. At that time, it was the front of the church. (No mention at this time as to when the project was to be done.) Dr. J. Earl Taylor was appointed to fill the unexpired term as trustee of Dr. H. H. Sherwood who had died in the spring.
Tom Simmons was upset when he reported that the Sunday School was bursting at the seams having twice as many pupils in the space as it was originally designed to accommodate. A planning committee was set up with the trustees and John Nelson (now 85 years of age). The Memorial Building Fund had been growing and now was nearly $5000 so $250 was authorized for Fred Lockman to draw up plans for the new addition.
An Easter Sunrise Service was held at Stewart Heights and was attended by 380 people. A breakfast was held in the cafeteria following the service. The choir presented a concert of Russian music, "the first in a series of concerts featuring the music of our Allies." A printed brochure complete with photographs was prepared by the deacons as a handout titled, "A Church With a Warm Welcome to all People."
Reverend Widney's work in the housing projects was increasing, but there was "competition from the tabernacle across the street." He further remarked, "there are enough people to crowd the facilities of both if people were going to church as they should."
As the war years came to a close in 1945 the Congregational Crusade was inaugurated. It was a
plan for post-war reconstruction period both in this country and in the world to increase the impact
of the churches upon the lives of the communities in which they serve. $4300 was suggested for
our church. The projects included were new buildings for University, Magnolia and Pullman
churches, a chapel for N-Sid-Sen conference grounds, and a variety of service projects to aid war
victims and missions throughout the world. A special offering in Kirkland had already collected
over $1000. With its own upcoming building project the trustees decided to make the Crusade 1/3
of their annual benevolence budget over 3 year period.
Back to History Previous Gleaning Next Gleaning