A birthday is a very special occasion, particularly a one-hundredth birthday!.
It was in September one hundred years ago that construction began for our Center Church. On a quiet wooded hill a group of pioneers gathered to begin their work of Love and devotion. Little did they know that the beautiful country church with its beckoning bell tower and lovely gothic windows and doors, which they used their talents to build, would become truly a center of our Island for years to come.
The land for the Church was given by the W. T. Graham family. William Graham was the stone mason, assisted by James Cousins Sr., who mixed the mortar. Dan Barlow hauled the lumber on his father's schooner, the Henrietta. James Buchanan and Charles Kent did the carpenter work, completing their work in two months. It took almost two years, however, before the interior of the church was plastered William Lampard, assisted by James Cousins and Tom Upson. Later in June, 1889, it was painted by Mr. Cary and his son, Harry.
One can imagine that each one took great pride in their handiwork - - this little Church on the hilltop with it’s wonderful acoustical qualities.
Reverend T. J. Weeks dedicated Center Church on August 14, 1889. On this occasion a large crowd attended, many coming from San Juan and Orcas Islands. Among the guests were Captain and Mrs. Gelbert and his entire Coast Survey crew, who had camped at Shoal Bay on the old Humphrey Farm.
The first funeral was held in the Church before it was completely finished on February 24, 1888. It was for Mrs. Martin Phillips, the mother of Mrs. Edith Krieg, and officiated over by Rev. T. J. Weeks.
It was almost 15 years after time Church was built that a group of over thirty people met with the Rev. W. W. Scudder of the Congregational Home Missionary Society and Rev. Samuel Greene, Superintendent of Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society in order to discuss the organization of a Congregational Church. After a morning Church service and a basket dinner, those present voted in favor of this action, but with determination to carry on the work as requested and began by the Presbyterian Church.
There were eleven members who signed as Charter Members and the following were elected officers of this newly organized Congregational Church: Mrs. S. Kent, Clerk; V J. Bruns, deacon; Mrs. Reinmuth, treasurer. There was a Sunday School formed with 30 members. V. J. Bruns served as Superintendent of Sunday School until 1904. The Rev. Ireland was called to be the first permanent minister in 1903 and remained until 1908.
In December, 1916 an agreement was made between the Methodist Church and the Congregational Church to unite in order, to promote more harmony. A Methodist minister would serve for two years and the Congregational minister would serve for two years. Both Churches would contribute the same amount per annum, making the pastor's salary not less than $700. 00. In 1917 tine San Juan County Auditor presented a Letter stating that the transfer of the Center Church property had been transferred from the Presbyterian to the Congregational Board - this transfer having been made in New York the previous year of 1916.
In 1932 the Methodist Church withdrew from the field and left the Congregational Church in full charge. Down through tine years Church Services continued in Center Church until the second world war. At this time student ministers filled the pulpits at both San 4luan and Lopez Is lands. The minister flew over to Lopez after a morning service on San Juan, but at this time, in order to make it easier for the minister, the services wee transferred to the Lopez Community Church.
However, Center Church became a special place for both weddings and funerals, with many coming from off-Island for these special occasions.
Even in the earlier days Lopezians showed their independent spirit! They also had their disputes and misunderstandings even then, but usually with great dispatch and diplomacy kept everyone happy. One incident which took place March, 1924 proves this point.
A special meeting was held at Center Church, called by Mrs. M. Dwight, chairman. The purpose was to settle a dispute regarding tine sum of $48. 65 which the Ladies guild claimed the Cemetery Association owed them. It seemed the ladies gave this amount to the Association's treasurer, Mr. P. Towell to keep for them until they needed it. When the day came and they found a need, the money was not returned - or so they claimed.
Present at this meeting to dis cuss the return of the funds were Mrs. May Buchanan, Mrs. Kreig, Mrs. J. McCaully, Jim Cousins, Ed Blowers, Mr. L. Kreig, Jesse Coffelt, Frank Crawford, and Mrs. Dwight. Supposed to be present was former Secretary Ed Nelson since he was in office when the $48.65 was presented, but he failed to come. After both sides had presented their grievances, Mrs. Kreig made a motion that the Ladies Guild would accept on-half the sum to settle the matter. This accomplished, everyone left the meeting in a much happier mood with the Church still standing!
It was in 1959, the year Eva Higgins was elected trustee and chairman for the Cemetery Association Board, that discussion began far the consideration of purchasing Center Church by the Association. At this particular time, however, it was voted against acquiring the Church.
Time passed until 1965 when under the guidance of Eva Higgins and Malcolm MacLeod the Church accepted the Deed to the Church. Each year following saw improvements and preservation continue.
Eva Higgins resigned in 1971 and Frances McBarron was elected trustee and chairman of the Board. Howard Cole was elected trustee and secretary, and Hazel Lundy was elected trustee anal treasurer. Violet Norman and Romayne Ritchie were trustees to complete the Board.
It was only a short time later the Board of Trustees instructed Howard Cole as Secretary to apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an exempt status. It was also decided the Church needed, after so many years, a new carpet. After the carpeting was installed, a gift of a beautiful stained glass window was received from Robert and Charlotte Reese, and a new roof was installed by Paul Hayward.
In 1982 the Lopez Island Cookbook had its first printing. Funds from sales were to be used for expenses and preservation of Center Church and Union Cemetery, both held in trust for Lopez by the Lopez Cemetery Association. The cookbook was edited by Nikki Giard, Barbara Pickering and their committee.
1983 was a most eventful year with the drilling of a well, giving the Church running water for the very first time. This year also saw other changes. The “back room” was remodeled by the removal of the ancient stove and the tearing down of the very old brick chimney, including the Starling's nest. New cupboards were built by Gregg Abbott, and the old pump organ was donated to a community auction sale.
In 1985 some additional landscaping was added to the church yard. Frances McBarron planted a special cedar, Obtusa hinoki, in the memory of Eva Higgins, and Mary Ritchie planted three rhododendrons.
Once again, in 1986, the cookbook supplied the resources necessary for the refurbishing of the Church. Both Nikki Giard and Barbara Pickering coordinated the new color scheme, the original woodwork was restored, beautiful padded pews and new carpet to harmonize were installed.
Now Center Church glistens in pristine beauty - a lovely peaceful country church on a quiet hilltop.
(Taken from Gertrude Boede notes. One note states the following information was found among Willie Cousin's letters, although not in his handwriting. On another, card she states the information is taken from the Friday Harbor Journal dated 6/10/190 the clipping loaned to her by Nora Fagerhoim, March 1975.
Center Church’s foundation was laid in September 1887. William Graham, Gertrude’s grandfather was the mason, assisted by James Cousins (Willie's father) who mixed the mortar for him & helped him handle the rock.
Dan Barlow hawled the lumber on his father's (Capt. Arthur "Billy") schooner, the "Henrietta", in September or early October 1887.
Charles Kent and James Buchanan Sr. did the carpenter work, starting it In October 1887, and finishing in November.
The buIlding was plastered by William Lampard Sr. in Feb. 1889. James Cousins Sr. (Willie's father) mixed the mortar for him, with Tom Upston assisting. It was painted by Carl Cary and his son Harry in June 1889.
Center Church was dedicated August 4, 1889 by Rev. T.J. Weeks. (No relation to the Weeks family on Lopez.) Rev. T.J. Weeks lived at American Camp on San Juan Island and was the chaplin for the American soldIers. He was English and a Presbyterian. He came to Lopez to conduct funerals and weddings, before Lopez had any ministers. He preached on Lopez until May 1891.
Those from San Juan Island that Willie Cousins recognized were Alfred Douglas, JOhn W. Firth, John Wold, George Lawson, Albert Jensen, Frank Jensen, Mrs. G.B. Driggs, Mrs. Caines, and Miss Douglas. There were many from San Juan attending he did not know.
Orcas people also attended. Mr. & Mrs. Ed Kokow of Orcas were married that day by Rev. Eugene Stockwell who was the Methodist minister at Lopez (Village), at the Stookwell home near J.L. Davises. Hey. & Mrs. Stockwell were at the dedication also. They first came to Lopez about February lst, 1889.
Capt. & Mrs. Gilbert and many of his survey crew attended. They had their camp on School Bay on the old Humphrey farm. Capt. Peter Perry was also present. (He looked very much like E.M. Bartlet, Mrs. Wm. Gallenger’s father.)
August 23, 188(8?) a social was held at Center Church to raise money to buy the organ. It was used until the new one was purchased.