THE BEGINNINGS
[A transcription of an 18 page history of the early churches in Yamhill, Oregon, entitled: The Beginnings, by Phyllis Helen Withycombe Stump, privately published, 1973. Evelyn Crumrine, who typed the manuscript, was the secretary at the Elementary School. The history of Yamhill, Oregon and the history of the churches of Yamhill, Oregon were written between 1969 and 1973. They were self-published and were bound at the Trappist Abbey in 1973. The first bound copy of her book was given to the her while the author was in the old hospital in McMinnville, Oregon two days before her death. Bound copies were mostly distributed among family members. The author was educated and received her degree in Physics and worked as a teacher. Published on the web by permission. In addition, links to other pages on this site and elsewhere have been added.]
THE BEGINNINGS
dedicated to
Frances (Aunt Fanny) McKern
written by
Phyllis Helen (Withycombe) Stump
typed and stenciled by
Evelyn L. Crumrine
1973
THE BEGINNINGS
As news of the Oregon Country reached the peoples of the United States, religious groups in the Eastern States became interested in missionary work among the Indians of the Pacific Slope. Among the denominations planning this missionary work were the Methodists, the Episcopalians, the Baptists, the Presbyterians and the Christians.
History seems to agree that the first of the missionaries was Jason Lee, a Methodist. He and his followers established their mission on land near what is now Salem.
The first and only mission to my knowledge to be established in the Yamhill area was started by Bishop Richmond, an Episcopal minister and missionary. He and his wife came to the new country in 1842 and secured a section of land north and west of Yamhill. On a level place part way up their mountain they built a log cabin. Here they established a school for Indian children. Some of the children lived with their parents in an Indian camp established along the creek below the cabin. The Richmond's only child, a girl, became ill, died and was buried back of the cabin. The loss of their daughter and discouragement at the lack of results from their efforts forced the Richmonds to return to their home in Rhode Island in 1852. Their mission and other possessions were left in charge of a friend. In 1854 the section of land and the cabin were sold to Jeduthan Torrance, my great grandfather.
The Indians, under the leadership of Wyonoshut, their chief, nicknamed McKay, pronounced McKie, came back periodically to their campground. Due to the influence of the early missionaries, the Indians were a peaceable group and gave no trouble to the settlers.
All that remains at the present time of this Mission is the name of the mountain, Mt. Richmond. Even the girl's grave can no longer be located.
In order to reach the widely separated settlers throughout the territory each church and mission sent preachers called circuit riders to the various settlements. Among some of the most famous and remembered names are Joab Powell, William Roberts, Nehemiah Doane and Vincent Snelling.
From the book, Joab Powell - Homespun Missionary comes the following quotation:
"As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do show the Lord's death till he comes! These words were uttered at the First Baptist Service which was held in Oregon on May 25, 1844. The Reverend Vincent Snelling who was the pioneer of pioneers in the Baptist denomination spoke them at the little West Union Baptist Church of seven members situated six miles north of Hillsboro. From this small beginning at West Union other churches were added in the following order:
1st ... LaCreole and Yamhill in 1846
2nd ... Oregon City in 1847, etc."
This was the beginning of the Baptist Church in Yamhill and as near as I can determine the first church in Yamhill.
In 1849, September the 5th, the Methodists at Salem held a meeting which led to the formation of several conferences in the Willamette Valley. The Yamhill Circuit was one of these. William Roberts as pastor, John McKinney and C. O. Hosford to supply were appointed.
The earliest reference I can find of the presence and work of the Christian Missionaries is 1846. There was no reference as to the location of their appearance. However, it stated their number grew and spread through out the territory.
The circuit riders held their services any place they found people. They might meet in a home, in a church or under a tree. The place meant nothing. The services and the people were the important ingredients.
In "Mattoon's Baptist Annals of Oregon", a quotation in the book Joab Powell-Homespun Missionary describes the great interest that was felt in the early gatherings. It presents a vivid picture of the early life of the Circuit Rider and his people:
"At Salem, not much of a town then, the brethren stopped until nearly sundown, but Brother Snelling said he knew a place three or four miles out where we could stop. So we rode out in hopes, but on reaching our expected stopping place the folks were all away from home, and we had to go on. It was night, and the road was over hills, through brush and trees with only a trail, but Brother Snelling assured us that he knew the way, and that the road was well blazed and could be easily found, as it was a bright moonlight night.
So we rode on, but the brethren would not hurry for the brush and trees were thick, and the trail dim, and at times difficult to find. The actual distance we traveled after night was about seven or eight miles but it was a strange road and I was impatient and if when we stopped, anyone had called it 20 miles I would not have disputed his veracity. At last we saw a light and drawing up to a small dwelling, Brother Snelling said:
'Light, light, we're going to stop here.' 'Perhaps we can't get to stay,' said I. 'Get down, I tell you we're going to stop here. We'll not go any further tonight,' said Brother Snelling. So we hitched our horses and went in. What a sight. There was a room perhaps 16 feet square, with a huge fireplace at one end, and a small bedroom or two partitioned off at the other end, and judging from the oder of provisions being cooked, what I supposed to be a kitchen at the back. But the room was literally full, men, women, children. It looked as if all had been crowded in that was possible and then more added.
I said to Brother Snelling, 'We can't stop here, they're full already.'
'Yes, we are going to stop here, stop your noise!' said he. Just then Brother Cornelius, at whose house we were, hearing the last remark, replied,
'Of course you're going to stop here' and his boys went to take care of our horses.
I suppose he would have asked us to sit down, but that was out of the question, because first there were no unoccupied seats, and secondly, there was no place for seats if we had them, all seats being given to the aged and infirm and to the ladies.
I had never seen the like, being just from the Buckeye State, where usually we had plenty of room and the most of the arrangements were in order. I was somewhat astonished, but the brethren took it all as a matter of course. What puzzled me, where were we to sleep? We could eat a few at a time, but the sleeping, how was that to be managed?
I could contrive no way. All were talking on various subjects, but I gave little or no attention, I was too busy watching and wondering. Finally, someone proposed that we retire. So after a short religious service, the men and boys started for the door. Seeing the others gathering their blankets, I got mine and we went to the barn. Barn! That was what they called it. It consisted of forked poles set in the ground, with a roof and some poles fastened to the sides to keep out the animals.
Inside some fresh grass or hay had been spread, and we rolled up in our blankets to sleep on this. Not much sleep for me! Two or three of the brethren had become intensely interested in some knotty point of theology, or something else. I don't remember what nor desire to, and not having satisfied themselves in the house, concluded to finish the pros and cons after retiring.
I was too timid to ask them to postpone the discussion until morning, and the other brethren did not care, judging from the noise. In a few minutes one-half of them were apparently snoring for a prize! I do not know that anyone got it, but several certainly deserved it! And I could only lie there and think, and think, and think!
At length the brethren finished their discussion, or I supposed they did, for they quieted down and I was just beginning to doze a little, when some of those who had been asleep, awoke, and doubtless thinking that it was their turn, moved a reconsideration, which I regarded as very much out of order.
But my raging, not being openly expressed, was unheeded and others roused up until by the time that it was fairly light we were all wide awake, getting up. But before I left that barn I had the curiosity to count how many of us slept there. Only 61, as for the women and small children, I do not know how they fared. I am satisfied the floor was well covered, but the house was not crowded in the morning. We had plenty of sitting room, on the fence! The weather was pleasant and the men collected in little groups,discussing the prospects and probable business of the Association, until we had our breakfast, then we were off to the place of meeting two miles distant. At about half this distance we passed Father Hunsaker's where we found fully as large a crowd as our own. In fact, Brethren Cornelius and Hunsaker nearly kept the Association. The other members of the church living so far distant as to get very few guests. And with slight variations, the other nights until the close of the association were but repetitions of the first. I showed this manuscript to Rev. A. J. Hunsaker.
'Don't exaggerate,' said I. 'How many stopped at your house during the Association?'
'Oh, a good many.'
'But, how many? You were a boy then and I know you counted them.'
At length he faintly whispered, 'I believe that mother cooked for 93 that night.'
My mother, Elsie Mary Perry Withycombe, has told us many times of driving down the old Tillamook Trail toward Yamhill in a wagon driven by her father. They were on their way for a Sunday visit with her grandmother and grandfather. The Tillamook Trail at this time wound along a short distance from the Yamhill River, entered the old site of North Yamhill on 3rd Street and on to Lafayette. Just before they entered Yamhill and on the edge of the Tom Davis place they encountered a group of people who had been attending church in a building, not the house, on the Davis place. This was in 1874. She often spoke of the fact that when they did move to Yamhill in 1877 this meeting place was too far for the Perry children to walk to church.
During this period, Aaron Payne, a Circuit Rider, made his rounds through the territory. According to Robert Kuykendall, Aaron Payne's first home in the new territory was a donation land claim in "Putty Gulch" west of Yamhill. His house stood below and south of the first Herbert Mehlhoff home. It was a two story house with low ceilings, facing east. He preached to the brethren in Yamhill and later often stayed in their homes. Lawrence Kuykendall once told me Aaron Payne often stayed in their home, that he was a kindly old gentleman and a most welcome guest. He also visited with my Grandfather and Grandmother Perry. Mother has told me of the wonderful stories he related to the children.
In the scap book of Kate Burton Lake, I found the following item cut from the local paper:
"Uncle Aaron Payne died Friday night May 18th, 1883. He was buried Sunday at 2:00 o'clock at North Yamhill Cemetery. It was his request to have no funeral, only prayers at the grave, which was done by Rev. H. C. Morgan. He was 98 years, 4 months and 19 days old. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, a straight forward upright Christian gentleman. A large procession followed his remains to the grave."
What a wonderful tribute to a great man was found in the last sentences.
After the new town school was built on the knoll north of the village of North Yamhill, the citizens of the community decided to build a new road to connect them with Lafayette, the county seat. They discussed using higher ground so that they would be away from the wet muggy land of the old trail. They settled on starting at what was then known as Castle Hill, went straight past the school house, bridged streams and continued east until they came to the Stag Hollow School. This road is with us today and is known as Main Street or the Newberg Highway. Homes were built along this road and business houses gradually moved along its sides.
In July of 1877, the North Yamhill Christian Church was organized. About this time the four leading church denominations decided to unite and build a Union Church. In 1881 Thomas Davis donated land along the new road and the Union Church became a reality. Each denomination had its meeting Sunday of each month with their own minister and services. Members of other denominations were welcome at any or all services. Revivals were arranged by the consent of all.
Among my mother's possessions I found a card dated April 13, 1884. It was printed by the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia, Pa. and was the lesson for the services for this day. The Golden Text was Acts 19:18 "And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds." The lesson was No. 11 and was Paul at Ephesus. The Lesson Hymn was "Near the Cross." With the card was a small Booklet No. 83 bearing the name "Once it might have been." It was the story of a sick woman who refused to seek her Savior. There was a second old card with the Ninth Commandment, and a picture but the date or the denomination was not given.
In Mother's diary 1886, Thursday April 8, Mother speaks of attending church services with her brother Rob. Each day thereafter she writes of the family attending church services in the evening until April 12 when Mrs. Keen was Sanctified. This must have been the end of the "protracted" meetings as revivals were called in those days.
On Friday, March 31, 1893 the North Yamhill Leader printed the following schedule for Religious Services both in North Yamhill and at the Pike Church:
"There will be preaching at the Union Church at North Yamhill at 11 o'clock, a.m., by Rev. Mr. Louther, Methodist Episcopal, on the second Sunday of each month. On the third Sunday, by Rev. H. C. Morgan, Wesleyan Methodist, and on the fourth Sunday by Rev. McFadden of the Christian denomination.
The Christian Endeavor will meet every Sunday evening at 6:30.
Prayer meeting next Wednesday evening at Rev. H. C. Morgan's residence at 7:30 p.m.
Elder B. F. Bonnell of the Christian Church will preach at the Union Church, North Yamhill on Saturday evening, April 1st, at 7:30 and on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Pike Church at 3 p.m. and again at Yamhill at 7:30 p.m. A full attendance is desired. All will be welcome."
The above schedules would indicate that the Baptists and Presbyterians as denominations were no longer a part of the Union Church.
Another item in the same Yamhill Leader refers to the funeral of Mrs. Rachel Rhude, which was conducted by Rev. Parker. Rev. Parker was not an ordained minister according to his daughter, Ruth Parker Bony, but served in this capacity whenever his services were needed.
Also in an article from the scrapbook of Kate Lake's, I found the following information:
"On Monday last, Elder Wood of the Christian Church baptized five persons, Viz. Mr. and Mrs. Tollman, Mrs. Tidd, Mrs. Kesterson and Miss Anna Cooper."
Kate Lake's scrapbook was the source of a most interesting Christmas Party in 1895. A copy of the article follows:
"Christmas Gaities 1895. A large crowd gathered at the church Christmas Eve to enjoy a program prepared by the Junior Endeavor Society and witness the distribution of presents presided over by the bald-headed bachelors of our city. A. C. Goodrich having more hair on his head than the others, was selected to give the opening address and with his "dome" well greased and shining like a full moon, stepped to the front and with his face wreathed in sweet smiles, he proceeded to tell the audience "how it all happened." Following this, prayer was offered by Rev. Parker. The program consisted of appropriate recitations interspersed with sweet music, and was well rendered and highly appreciated. Everybody was "dressed" in their holiday humor and excellent order was maintained. At the close of the exercises a collection was taken up by Elsie Hoffstatter and Pearl Smith on behalf of the Junior Endeavor, toward liquidating their pledge to the Eugene Divinity School, the collection amounting to $2.30, after which good "Old Santa Claus" appeared in his snowy white robe and made considerable fun for both young and old. The revolving "Christmas Wheel" was beautifully decorated with presents and the decorations about the walls were both novel and pretty. The Stars and Stripes and the pictures of Lincoln and Cleveland were prominent features. The outside of the building was decorated with two rows of Chinese lanterns strung from the belfry to the gate. The whole affair was a pronounced success and the participants have had bestowed upon them many words of praise."
In 1897 the Union Church again had its community Christmas Tree and Program. This tree was one of my first memories. My father carried me almost a mile to the service. This I do not remember. As we entered the church I had my first view of the enormous Christmas tree placed in the south-west corner of the church and extending almost to the ceiling. It was covered with strings of popcorn, a few ornaments, lighted real candles, presents and small red mosquito netting socks filled with candy and nuts. The rostrum in the center was a stage. I do not remember much of the program for the tree was the center of my attention. After a while a woman came and took me from my father's lap and led me behind a curtain in the southeast corner of the building. Here they put on my white flannel nightgown and then we peeked through a small opening between the sheets acting as the curtain. Suddenly from the back of the room came a "HO! HO! HO! and a HA! HA! HA!" and there was Santa Claus coming up the aisle. When Santa walked up on the stage, they set me up there also and told me to run to him. I was not one bit afraid of him for I knew all the time it was Uncle Jap McKern and I liked him. He picked me up and after talking to the sea of faces in front of us, he took me over to the tree, reached up, took a red sock off the tree and gave it to me. The people clapped and clapped. This was my first stage appearance. When I arrived home I found a much prized orange in the sock along with the candy and nuts. Fresh oranges were rare in those days.
In 1898 the Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the corner of First and Laurel Streets. Around the same time the Wesleyan Methodist Church was established along Main Street. This left the Christian Church the sole occupant of the Union Church.
Again from the scrapbook of Kate Lake comes the information that Rev. J. A. Campbell was the minister at the Christian Church in October 1897. He and his family moved here and lived for sometime. I can not find just when they did leave, but they were here long enough for his daughter, Bessie, to marry a local boy.
In 1899 I remember well two incidents. The first was an invitation to a Ladies Aid of the Christian Church quilting party at "Grandma" Tallman's, sometimes spelled Tollman. Mother, with her thimble in her pocket and we children in tow, walked the short distance to the gathering. The quilt was set up in the living room. The room was so small that with the full sized quilt there was no place for the children but under the quilt. The ladies' dresses were long and covered their "limbs" to the ankle but their shoes did show. I can still see in my memory the different kinds of shoes. Some were low heeled or without heels and round toed. These were the kind the shoemaker made to fit the wearers feet. Others were higher heeled and real pointed, the kind one bought ready made. They were all high topped and mostly buttoned. As the afternoon progressed, the quilt grew smaller and we children had room to sit or play around the edges of the room. Towards evening "Grandma" Tallman served cookies and I suppose either tea or coffee. For the afternoon's work on the quilt, "Grandma" paid the church $1.00 and completed that part of the quilt which was not finished in the afternoon.
The second big event was the starting of a Sunday School by the Christian Church. Mother and we children were out for an evening's walk when we met "Aunt" Fanny McKern. We all loved Aunt Fanny as we did her husband, Uncle Jap. She stopped to talk to us and told mother they were starting a Sunday School and could we children come. Mother said it would depend on whether we could get there and how. As I have said before it was about a mile from our home to the church and my folks did not own a horse and buggy. Shortly after this the Tallmans and the Tidds changed places. As long as the Tidds lived close, Molly Tidd came each Sunday, weather permitting, and walked my sister and myself to Sunday School. We loved the singing. We were in Aunt Fanny's class which met in one corner of the room. Each Sunday we attended we were given a small card. When we had saved five of these we took them back to class with us and were allowed to select a larger picture to keep. These pictures were our pride and joy. Molly moved back to the farm and we did not get to Sunday School for a while.
Around the turn of the century, the Ladies Aid of the Christian Church gave a fall ice cream social. Our parents took us to this social so that we could have our first taste of ice cream. The place was crowded and it seemed as if every one was talking at once. My mind was on the ice cream, but I have a hazy recollection of a bazaar along with this social. Times were very hard. Money was scarce and the ladies were hoping to raise enough to help with church expenses. One of the Kuykendall girls brought us our dish of ice cream which completed my evening.
From the North Yamhill Record, March 6, 1902, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Weidner comes the following information:
"The Spiritual Welfare of our people was cared for through the Advent Christian Church by W. B. Smith, Pastor, Wesleyan Methodist by Rev. J. E. Whiting, Christian Church by Elder J. Wagoner, Pastor and Methodist Episcopal by Rev. D. H. Leech."
My sister and I were old enough by this time to attend Sunday School by ourselves. I graduated from Aunt Fanny's class to Aunt Mary Harris'. This class met in the opposite corner of the room. We continued to receive the cards as before. A big event of each year was Children's Day with its program and promotions. During each Sunday service before the classes assembled, Aunt Fanny had us sing songs and recite in unison the Lord's Prayer, the 23rd Psalm and other passages from the Bible. Every visitor who came to our Sunday School remarked on our excellent singing and on our memory verses. We were very proud.
Occasionally we were allowed to stay for church. I can not remember too much about the services, but I do remember that the unleavened bread was prepared by the ladies of the church and the at the Elders, Uncle Perry Morgan and Charles Kuykendall Sr. passed the loaf and the chalice. The organ was played mostly by Aunt Mary Harris. On cold days the building was heated by a large pot bellied stove situated about one-third the way up the center row of seats. I do not remember who preached the services, nor can I find any information as to the ministers of the church up until 1907. I do know that ministers did at times come and preach, for on several occasions they stayed in our home.
Sometime between 1902 and 1907 the members of the Christian Church bought the little Wesleyan Methodist Church on the north side of Main Street and moved to this location. The Union Church was deserted for a number of years.
Around this time Rev. E. S. Muckley was hired to be the Pastor of the Christian Church. He served in this capacity on every other Sunday until 1916 when a student minister from the Eugene Bible College was hired to come every Sunday.
During the winter of 1909, Rev. Muckley and the congregation called Rev. Stivers to come and hold a revival meeting. The meeting was a very successful one. Many new names were added to the membership of the church, among them Lou and Lizzie Reimers, Bill and Iva Reimers and Etta Tatro.
Aunt Fanny continued to be Sunday School Superintendent. We continued with our singing and our Bible verses. Sections of the church were divided off by curtains on wires to make individual class rooms when the curtains were drawn. They would be pulled back against the walls for church services. The rostrum, facing south occupied the center of the north end of the church. The piano and choir, the corner to the right. The rest of the church was occupied with pews, with aisles, one down the center to the front door and entry and one leading to the Sunday School room built on the east side of the main room and when opened increasing the size of the auditorium. The church was heated by a stove in the Sunday School room.
The church, under the leadership of Rev. Muckley and Rev. Fagan had another revival in 1912 or 1913. The membership of the church was again increased. The Sunday School worked toward an attendance of 100. The church also established a cradle roll under the leadership of Etta Tatro.
During the summer and fall of 1912, Rev. Muckley organized the first Standard Teacher Training Course recommended by the Oregon State Sunday School Association. The class met every other Saturday evening for ten evenings and was of course taught by Rev. Muckley. The attendance was good and the course was interesting as well as instructive. At the end of the course we were given an examination and those who passed received a diploma. I remember how proud I was when I received my diploma from the International Sunday School Association of North America, Department of Education, dated the 5th day of February, 1913, signed by the various officers and sealed with their official seal. As a result of this work I was given the High School Claws to teach when our teacher Mrs. Trullinger died, a position I kept until I entered college in the fall of 1914. At this time John McFadden took over my class which had an average attendance of around 24. Being small there was no room to entertain in the church. Parties were held in the homes. Members of the class took turns in opening their homes for the parties. If for some reason we had no place to meet, Aunt Fanny always opened her home for our use.
Children's Day, Rally Day and Christmas continued to be celebrated by a program at our church. We always looked forward to these programs and church was packed on such occasions.
The great increase in attendance at both Sunday School and Church filled the little church building to overflowing. The Church Board felt the need for expansion. They worked toward and succeeded in gaining possession of the Union Church building and grounds. They moved the little church and added it onto the larger building on the west side and sold the land on which the small church stood to my father, Phillips Withycombe.
In the fall of 1914 I entered the University of Oregon. From this time until I came back to Yamhill in 1927 I could only attend church here during vacations. After I started teaching I often spent my vacations away at summer school. The following information is gleaned from letters from friends I have saved and from the Yamhill Record with an occasional memory of mine.
In a letter from Etta Tatro, Feb 28, 1915 she wrote:
"We moved into the new church last Sunday. There were 178 present."
From a letter from father, Nov. 24, 1915:
"The Christian Church has been holding Revival meetings for sometime."
In 1916 Rev. Muckley wished to be excused from his services to the Christian Church in Yamhill. The members wished to have a minister to serve them each Sunday so they decided to call Clyde Thurston, a student at Eugene Bible School to fill the pulpit. This way he could continue with his studies and serve the church at the same time. During the summer of 1917 he worked for my father in the tile factory and ministered to the church in the evenings and on Sundays. On Sunday afternoons he walked either to the Hutchcroft District or the Woodland District and preached to the people assembled in the school houses as well as his services in Yamhill.
A paragraph from the letter of Rose Page, Nov. 13, 1917 follows:
"I went to S. S. this morning. A meeting followed Church. I didn't stay but Mrs. Tal Elliott told me Mr. Thurston had been appointed and that every one had praised him highly."
A sentence from my sister Jean's letter March 28, 1918:
"Rev. Muckley, former pastor of the Christian Church of this city lectured here Sunday evening."
At the end of the school year 1917-1918, Rev. Thurston asked to be relieved and Rev. George Wayne Baney took his place as minister to the Christian Church. When Rev. Baney left for graduate work at Harvard, the Church Board secured the services of either Rev. Morgan or Rev. Gottlieb Schmitt. I was not able to determine which one was here first. Rev. Gottlieb Schmitt was a resident minister. He lived in Yamhill with his wife and small children until he was later called to a church in Bend. According to friends, Rev. B. L. Hicks, another resident minister was next. He in turn was replaced by Rev. Williams. Then came Rev. J. Earl Ladd, a student minister. While Rev. Ladd was here he conducted a daytime class in the Bible for grade school children. In the beginning of the year 1925 Rev. Ladd was replaced by Rev. Robert Johnston. The following schedule in the Yamhill Record March 5, 1925 shows the times for the Sunday Services:
"Church of Christ Bible School 10:00 a.m. Miss Doris Pointer, Superintendent. Everyone welcome, 'We exist to serve'. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Breaking of Bread. Sermon 'The Lord's Supper' Christian Endeavor 6:30 p.m. ... Special Music. Sermon subject: 'The Love Story of Ruth and Naomi' There will be a great gathering present. Come and enjoy yourself with us. S. Robert Johnston."
While in Yamhill Rev. Johnston married one of his church members, Grace Page.
In 1926 Rev. Claude Sabin, at first a student minister and then on graduation, a resident minister came to the Yamhill Christian Church. From this time on the names of the ministers and the work of the church can be found in the records of the church.
In 1926 Aunt Fanny McKern was again elected Sunday School Superintendent. Except for the one year, 1925, Aunt Fanny was the Superintendent of the Sunday School from its beginning until she became too ill to longer serve in this capacity. What an inspiring life of service.
In closing, I wish to say I have tried to record the beginnings of the early churches in Yamhill. Naturally, I know more of the early history of my church, the Christian Church. I wish to thank every one who has helped me with this history.
P. Helen Stump
