Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
War is Finally Over
Servicemen were returning and the church was used for 42 weddings in 1946. The post-war period was also evidenced by a letter the King County Health Department sent the church urging everyone to get a small pox vaccination.
John McCrory and Glenn Johnson made a gift to the church of the lot immediately north of the church building on First Street. A house stood on the corner lot and the church owned the rest of the block. Kirkland's boom was over once again, but this time many families stayed in the area. The housing projects remained for several more years but were eventually sold and moved or torn down less than 10 years after they had been built as temporary housing. Rev. Widney's ministry at the project was closed but he and his wife remained members of the church.
Reverend Blish purchased a house on Newcastle Road so the parsonage was renovated and rented to the Paul Franks. Secretarial help is recorded for the first time in 1946 as Mrs. Gregory "was paid a moderate amount."
A new name appeared on the Board of Deacons in 1947, Charles W. Johnson, Jr. (Charlie to everyone) an attorney in town. Florence Wilkinson was secretary-treasurer of the Sunday School. There were 18 women SundaySchool teachers and seven men teachers. Some of the names you might recognize included Bob and Ruth Wiesen, Margaret Hjorth (Kennedy), Winifred and Mort Johnson, Florence and HerbWilkinson, Florence and Elton Gildow.
Jean Proudfoot was Women's Federation president.
The trustees reported putting protective bars on the third floor windows, a railing on the balcony and for further safety, double doors from the dining room to the narthex.
In July, Reverend Blish announced his resignation and asked the trustees whether he should read it from the pulpit or take the matter to the church council. When asked if it was his salary that was causing him to leave he replied that it was not the reason for his resignation. The board advised him to read his letter at church the following Sunday. They also suggested that he should plan to stay until his successor was selected. By December the pastoral committee which included Charlie Johnson, Tony Drain, Helen Shinstrom, Morton Johnson, Dr. Earl Taylor, Esther Smith and Eire Gregory with the assistance of Dr. Archie Hook, new Congregational Superintendent of the area, recommended Reverend Donald Mills of Wisconsin. He accepted the call but stated that he could not arrive until February.
Reverend Blish became executive secretary of the YMCA but agreed to fill the pulpit on Sundays until the new minister arrived.
The old parsonage was pressed into full service when Reverend Mills arrived with his wife Jane
and their five children.
Back to History Previous Gleaning Next Gleaning