Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship

By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford

Scouts Important Part of Church Life

There were 43 in Boy Scout Troop #452 in 1962. The Scoutmaster was Gerhard Dieckmann who led the troop for 13 years. The church sponsored the troop for over 30 years before it was disbanded in the late 1970's. Many of the men of the church served on the troop committee. Among those active in the 60's were Clare Crowe, Ernie Thormahlen, Paul Johnson, George Lindahl, Al Johnson, Ernie McKibben, Gordon Broderson, Merle Zigler and Elmer Jensen. After passing the test by camping out with the boys, they received the badge of the "skunk patrol" and the responsibilities and privileges that went with it. One duty included cooking pancakes for the annual winter outing at McKibben's cabin located in the Silver Springs area near Crystal Mountain.

Scout dinners and Eagle ceremonies were held in Fellowship Hall as well as the weekly troop meetings. The church received specific attention from boys earning the God and Country award as they worked with the minister. Scouts achieving this award in the Kirkland Congregational Church have been Ira Jensen, Charles Morgan, Travis Westland, David Eagon and Randy Crowe (Ethel's son--who now is resident manager of N-Sid-Sen).

At this time Jack Osborne was Cubmaster. Elmer and Rena Jensen were involved with the Cub Scout program that year and before they were through they had put in 25 years with the church sponsored Cub Scout Pack.

Progress continued to move steadily through the next few months. Pledge monies were being accumulated in six different savings accounts in order to keep the maximum insurable amount in each. In February Harold Hanson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, reported the best contract bid was from Don McDonald Construction Co. Other bids were award to Market Street Plumbing and Watts Electric.

Ground Broken for Sanctuary

On March 10, 1963, the church broke ground for the fourth church in its 83 years of existence. Louise Curds, 91, the oldest member in both age and tenure, turned the first shovelful of earth. Participating in the symbolic ceremony accompanied by trumpets were George Schoen, of the first planning committee, Ron Richardson, of the final building committee, Sid Hammond treasurer of the building fund and the minister, Reverend George Helliwell. All others who wished took a turn on the shovel.

While construction went on life in the church saw new boards forming. Assuming duties that year were V. J. Berth, Harriet Jasper, Joan McGrew, Marjory Stonefelt, Helen Chamberlain, Everly Cox, Rod Anderson, Bill Elgin, Sarah Sharp, Pat Hicks, Merl Zigler, Vera Becker, Dee Pierce, George Lindahl, Roy Abrams, Helen Hopkins, and Meredith Gaskill. Hazel Berth was church clerk and Jerry Marsh was Enlistment Chair.

The property immediately east of sanctuary on 6th Avenue was purchased and the small house became a rental. It later became the church Pea-Patch and still later was sold where homes now exist.

A special honor came to Ed and Margaret Hjorth (now Kennedy) in May when they received the first Community Brotherhood Award for Kirkland. The award was sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The Hjorths were cited for their contribution to young people from all over the world by hosting them in their home.

The couple had served local youth as well for many years, Margaret in Camp Fire Girls and Ed in the Boy Scout program for over 25 years. At that time they were also advisors to a very active high school Pilgrim Fellowship group in the church.

July 14, 1963 was a memorable Sunday called a service of Communion Thanksgiving and Farewell to the existing church building (which is now the Christian Education Center, office, Chapel, Helliwell Room, & Fellowship Hall). For the remainder of the summer church services were held next door at the American Legion Hall. In September church and Sunday School were held at nearby Kirkland Junior High (which is no longer in existence.)

The pipe organ was stored at the Creative Arts Building (Peter Kirk Building). All pews, furniture and equipment were stored in Fellowship Hall. Shrubbery was removed for storage on the Earl Kinyon property in Juanita.

Several weeks earlier a letter had been sent to the congregations saying that anyone who wanted one of the stained glass windows should write a letter of request. Interest in stained glass was low at the time. The only families showing a desire were the Gaskills, Gildows, Thormahlens, Winsemiuses and Schoens.

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