History of St. John's
St. John's Episcopal Church, Milwaukie, has much historical value
in the formation of the Oregon Country. If it could speak, it would
tell us many interesting things that were never recorded. Its original
structure (now located in Oaks Pioneer Park), is one of the oldest
church buildings in Oregon, and is standing in nearly its original
form.
Early Missionaries and the Organization of St. John's Church
The history of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Milwaukie
begins with the coming of missionaries to the Oregon Territory in
the mid-eighteen hundreds. Messrs. Fackler and Richmond organized
St. John's congregation on December 10, 1851.
William Richmond was appointed Missionary to Oregon and set sail
from New York City in March of 1851. In the "Letter of Instructions"
from the Missions Board, he was directed to begin missions in several
villages of which Milwaukie was one.
Excerpts, from some of Mr. Richmond's letters, include the following
information pertaining to St. John's, Milwaukie.
"On Wednesday (December 10, 1851), at Milwaukie, Mr. Fackler
read prayers, and I preached in the evening. We had conversed with
several persons before the service, and by their advice I gave notice
of the organization of a Protestant Episcopal congregation, after
the conclusion of public worship. Accordingly, we chose two wardens
and eight vestrymen, and called the church St. John's. The town
is pleasantly situated on the Willamette River, about half way from
Portland to Oregon City, seven miles from Portland. A call was made
on Mr. Lot Whitcomb, proprietor of the town, and he readily consented
to give our vestry, as trustees, until incorporated two eligible
lots, and a building that has cost him about $1000, for an Episcopal
Church. Thus, at last, we have one Episcopal Church in Oregon. It
will be ready for our services on the first or second Sunday in
January."
The Coming of the Bishop to Oregon and the Consecration of St. John's
On January 8, 1854, the Rev. Thomas Fielding Scott was consecrated
as Bishop of the Missionary Jurisdiction of Oregon and Washington
Territories in Savannah, Georgia. He arrived in Portland on April
22, 1854.
The Bishop reports that, "There are, so far as I have ascertained,
but three organized congregations of our Church in these Territories.
...Our only church edifice is a small one at Milwaukie, which has
never been finished, and has been used for various purposes of public
meeting. I trust we may be able soon to have it completed and consecrated,
and used for public worship."
In Bishop Scott's address to the Convocation of 1855 he reports that, "On Sunday, 18th February, assisted by Rev. Mr. Fackler, I consecrated St. John's Church, Milwaukie. The ground was given by Capt. Whitcomb, and with it the small building to which I alluded a year ago. The house was turned so as to front towards the river, ten feet were added to its length, and the whole ceiled with cedar. It is complete in its arrangements, including a bell (also the gift of Capt. Whitcomb,) and will seat about a hundred persons. The population of the village is small, but the attendance upon the service as always been quite encouraging."
Spencer Hall and St. John's First Move
In 1861, the first diocesan school for girls was organized and housed in what was formerly the Veranda Hotel. This new school was known as Spencer Hall for Girls, and was the forerunner of St. Helen's Hall. St. John's Church served as the chapel for the school.
The "city" of Milwaukie at that time was much like other pioneer centers in the Pacific Northwest. Streets were nothing more than stump-studded wagon tracks plowing through deep mud in fall, winter and spring, and dust in summer. Hogs wallowed in deeper puddles, cows and horses wandered at will. Citizens seldom ventured out at night, and when they did they carried kerosene lanterns to find their way through total darkness.
On December 4, 1862 the little church was moved to its present location
at 21st and Jefferson Street, and set down upon brick pilasters.
With winter winds racing beneath the floor, the wood stove at the
rear of the church often worked overtime to maintain a comfortable
temperature.
Bishop Scott stated in the January 1863 issue of The Oregon Churchman:
"The little church which was consecrated in 1855 and stood
a little out of the village, has recently been moved to a central
and convenient location near the main street. The citizens generally
turned out, putting their shoulders to the wheel and making the
removal a common work. ...When the removal was complete one of the
oldest proposed 'three cheers for the Church,' which were heartily
given. 'After which, another proposed, 'three cheers for the Bishop,'
which were heartily given, accompanied by the ringing of the bell.
...Those engaged in the removal spent the Tuesday evening, 23rd
December, sociably at Spencer Hall."
The Sellwood Era 1864-1892
In South Carolina, the brothers, John and James R.W. Sellwood,
received the call to come to Oregon. With funds raised by the churches
of North and South Carolina and Georgia, they left on the steamer
"Illinois" for Oregon, April 5, 1856. At Panama the party
was attacked, massacred and plundered. The Reverend John Sellwood
was beaten, shot in the chest, robbed of the missionary funds entrusted
to him and left for dead. James who lost only his missionary funds,
proceeded to Portland with his family. John regained enough strength
in about two weeks to follow him to Portland.
In a letter, published in the September 1856 issue of the Spirit
of Missions, the Rev. John Sellwood states, "...my Master,
in his own good time and way, provided all things needful for me.
He furnished me, while in the hospital, with all necessary medical
attendance, nursing, food and clothing; and before I left, put it
into the heart of a resident of the place to give me a little money….Thus
far, therefore, the Lord has provided me; and having preserved my
life, so wondrously, I indulge the hope that He has got work for
me to do in Oregon."
Young John W. Sellwood, son of James R.W. Sellwood, assisted at
St. John's, Milwaukie shortly after he was ordained a Deacon in
1862. According to a memorial article in the April 1894 Oregon Churchman,
Rev. James R.W. Sellwood remained at St. Paul's until 1865, "when
he purchased a farm, near the then village of Milwaukie, taking
occasional services at St. John's."
The Rev. John Sellwood continued the services, until his death in
1892 at the age of eighty-six.
After his death, the work was carried on by his nephew, Thomas R.A.
Sellwood. Thomas Sellwood, son of James R.W. Sellwood, served as
lay reader and kept the church open when no minister was assigned
the place, which happened frequently during his forty years residence
in Milwaukie. He was the superintendent of the Sunday School and
the organizer of the Women's Guild.
Growing in the Faith
In 1868, the Rev. Benjamin Wistar Morris of St. Luke's Church, Germantown
Pennsylvania was elected as Bishop of Oregon and Washington Territory.
Bishop Morris came in June, 1869. For a time the new Bishop and his family resided at Spencer Hall, so that they were in close touch with St. John's. In his first Convention address in September he states; "The interior of St. John's has been greatly improved by the enlargement of the chancel, new carpets, chairs, painting, and the purchasing of a cabinet organ." Mr. Michael Oatfield donated an altar which is still in use in the chapel. This was one of many attempts to improve the Church's appearance. The cabinet organ is presently housed in the Guild room at St. John's.
Because Portland and Oregon City controlled the trade necessary to the advancement of Milwaukie, the town which Lot Whitcomb had wished to see head of commercial enterprises on the Willamette River, decreased in population. This resulted in a decrease in church membership.
The records of the Annual Convocation of 1883 indicate that St. John's, Milwaukie had began a gradual increase in attendance, and it became necessary to make additional improvements to the Church structure.
In 1888, Thomas Sellwood, with the help of the women and some generous men of the community, organized the repairs of the building. The old frame work was found to be solid and good. A new roof and siding were put on outside and wainscoting of fir put on diagonally inside. The old square windows were replaced with Gothic style windows. A stained glass chancel window was installed, it being the gift of the 1889 Bible class. The vestibule and a tower surmounted with a spire and cross were added. The tiny balcony which had held the organ was removed providing more floor space.
On March 31st, 1889, services were resumed in the reconditioned Church. Bishop B. Wistar Morris presided at the first service, assisted by Rev. John Sellwood, then 83 years old.
Little information is recorded about St. John's Milwaukie for several years. Services were held when missionaries from nearby churches were available. The Rev. William Powell, of Portland, officiated from 1895 to 1901 and the Rev. P.K. Hammond, from Oregon City, provided services at 3 o'clock in the afternoon during the years 1901 to 1908.
In the 1909 December issue of The Oregon Churchman, the Rev. F.T. Bowen writes, "St. John's Parish, Milwaukie, has awakened to a new life, and gives promise of growth... Services are being held every Sunday and are well attended... Mr. T.R. Sellwood, who through the long period of depression never lost faith in the ultimate prosperity of the parish, is faithful in attendance, and foremost in efforts for the good work. A Sunday School has been started and is making satisfactory progress with Miss Gould as superintendent."
Sanctuary in the original building of St. John's Episcopal Church after the remodeling of 1889.
The Oregon Churchman in 1913, reports that the "Rector of St.
Paul's, Oregon City, has volunteered to take charge of St. John's
Milwaukie... The Rector of St. Paul's is now the only priest in
the County of Clackamas, a territory one and one-half times larger
than the State of Rhode Island... St. John's is called the only
English Church in Milwaukie. In view of the larger German population
this in an important incentive to its preservation." In 1915 it is reported that a women's guild was organized at the home of Mrs. Richard Scott. New steps were added to the front entrance and a walk placed at the front of the property. All of this work has been "under the supervision of Messrs. A.P. Wilson and T.R.A. Sellwood, who have contributed liberally of money as well as time... While few in numbers, the congregation of St. John's excel inefficiency and loyalty, and every missionary and other obligation has been promptly met by them."
Late 1917, St. John's received a gift of a Service Book from T.R.A. Sellwood, its Senior Warden and Lay Reader. The Oregon Churchman states "Probably no layman in the diocese has attended more of the diocean conventions than Mr. Sellwood, and although he has passed his seventieth year, his interest in the Church was never greater, and he is rendering most valuable personal service."
In 1928, with the permission of Bishop Walter Taylor Sumner and a gift from him, of $100.00, the Church was moved across the street. The move was made so a basement could be added. This provided much needed space and included a small kitchen and lavatory.
A reed organ, Estey make, was presented to the church in 1935 by Mrs. J.H. Willman, daughter of Richard Scoff, a long time parishioner. In 1937 a new Altar was purchased and dedicated on September 5th.
The celebration commemorating the ninetieth anniversary of St. John's was held December 10, 1941.
Among the gifts presented to the church on this occasion was a plaque
commemorating it's founding. Two myrtlewood offering plates were
given in memory of Mrs. Dorothy M. Winters along with a new church
flag, a gift from the Sunday School class of 1941. For many years, the inside of the Church was heated by an old wood-burning pot bellied stove that stood in the back. Since it had no automatic heat control, it caused the interior of the Church to become occasionally uncomfortably warm and at other times just the opposite. A new furnace was purchased on December 9, 1946. Sanctuary for the new building of St. John's Church, constructed in 1948.
The Building of a New Sanctuary
In the course of time Milwaukie and its surrounding countryside, like communities throughout the nation, "grew like Topsy". The little pioneer church that had seen the beginning of so much history, had in fact been part of that history, was outgrown. In 1945, St. John's had 100 communicants and a seating capacity to accommodate 60.A new church was needed. Not because the old one was worn out, but because it was too small for the congregation. Plans were made to have the old building turned over to the Oregon Historical society and moved. The Church was described in the Oregon City Enterprise: "...as, an early specimen of Oregon architecture. The Church is nearly the same as when it was first built 94 years ago. Very little repair work has been necessary and the major part of the structure is the original building. It was built without the aid of modern materials and the main structure is held together with wooden pegs."
Bishop Dagwell, in 1948, persuaded his old friend, the Rev. Frederick Clayton, to forsake his retirement in Omaha and come to St. John's as vicar. Besides his normal ministerial duties Dr. Clayton was charged with planning a new church building, organizing its financing, and undertaking its actual construction." A bequest of $10,000 by the late Rosalie S. Willman, long a member of St. John's, became the foundation of a fund for the building of new church.
Dr. Clayton plunged into his task with unbounded enthusiasm. First, he made friends with the merchants and townspeople, inviting them to the church services and enlisting their good will and support. During the noon hour he was often seen on the high school campus, 'rapping' with the students and encouraging them to come to church services. To keep them interested he devised several programs, all designed to develop potential leaders and workers in the church.
As a result of these efforts, coupled with a great ability as a
dynamic preacher, the congregation grew in size and effectiveness.
A new Church, which was designed to incorporate the existing old Church structure, was finished in October, 1948. Bishop Dagwell, assisted by the Vicar, Rev. Frederick Clayton and other clergy of the Diocese, consecrated it on October 31, 1948.
The old church was retained as a chapel, parish hall and Sunday School annex. For a few years a Quonset hut adjoined the old church and provided more adequate parish hall facilities.
From Mission to Parish
In 1954, with the Rev. Rob Roy Hardin as rector, St. John's became
a parish. The Enterprise Courier reported in it's March 10, 1954
issue, "Last Sunday night members of St. John's Episcopal church,
Milwaukie, assembled to adopt the prescribed constitution of Parishes
and to make a formal organization. ... Following the formal adoption
of the constitution the members present signed it, making it a valuable
document to be treasured in the archives of the Episcopal church
in Oregon. ...The parish, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist,
has some 500 baptized members and approximately 350 communicants
in good standing." In 1955 the 'little red house' sitting just to the west of the church was purchased to provide additional growing space.
Now the little church stood on the corner it was to occupy until 1961. It was still little unchanged from the original 'unfurnished building,' although the profile had been slightly [altered] by the addition of a simple belfry accommodating the ship's bell donated by Whitcomb.
St. John's original building prior to it's move to Oaks Pioneer Park in 1961.
St. John's "On The Move"
As the community and parish grew, it became apparent that the original church structure was no longer adequate for the needs of the Parish hall , office space, and the Sunday School. In 1961 a new modern three story education center was planned to replace the 109 year old church edifice.On Saturday May 11, 1961. Ormond Bean of the Portland City Council saw a news item in the Oregonian concerning the old Episcopal Church. If all local efforts to save it failed, the historic structure would go under the wrecker's hammer. Mr. and Mrs. Bean drove to the site where preparations for ring were already under way. Mr. Bean was told by the contractor in charge that a reprieve would be granted with expiration date the following Wednesday.
Mr. Bean then went into vigorous action. Parks Superintendent Harry Buckley was very much interested in the then infant Oaks Pioneer Park to be established near the end of the Sellwood Bridge and encompassing the old Oaks Amusement Park. Mr. Buckley agreed that the pioneer church surely would grace the entrance to the park. Then things moved fast.
A barge was floated up the Willamette River to a point just below the church. Already placed on rollers, the building was eased down the hill and onto the barge. The way was through midtown Milwaukie, holding up all busy traffic, but there were no protests. At the site the church was hauled up the steep hill. St. John the Evangelist's original structure now stands at entrance of Oaks Pioneer Park in Portland near the Sellwood Bridge. Weddings are held there almost every weekend, and the parish of St. John's worships there one Sunday each summer.
Continuing to Grow in Faith
With the original church now in place in Sellwood Park, the congregation
proceeded with plans for a new parish hall. Under the guidance of
Rev. Frank Evenson the new facility was constructed. It contained
church offices, a large parish hall, kitchen, side-aisle chapel,
and Sunday School rooms. The bell from the old church was installed
in the steeple of the new addition. A special dedication ceremony
for the new parish hall was held November 18,1962.
In 1981 another renovation was undertaken at St. Johns. Changes
made in the sanctuary included a free standing altar with the addition
of a leaded glass rose window placed on the wall the south wall.
The leaded glass window was a gift from St. David's church in Portland.
It had been stored in the basement for many years. Susan Holzworth,
an artist and member of St. Johns, releaded and prepared the window
for placement behind the altar.
A new larger organ, built by the Bond Pipe Organ Company, was installed
in January of 1982 at the rear of the nave. The choir pews were
moved next to the organ.
The remodeling of the sacristy, in 1984, provided a much needed
area for the preparation of the vessels for communion and for the
vesting of the priests.
In May of 1985, an electric lift and entrance ramp were installed,
making St. John's accessible to the handicapped.
In January of 2004, the "West Wing" was dedicated, providing
barrier-free restrooms, offices, and meeting space.
Quiet Beauty
Special Works of Art
September 28, 1952, Bishop Dagwell dedicated a memorial mural on
the wall at the back of the nave. The mural, commissioned by friends
of the late Dr. Frederick W. Clayton, was painted by Miss Lucia
Wiley of Portland, and is called "I Am the Living Water."
The fresco style painting depicts Christ and the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well. When it was about half finished a stray bullet pierced a deep hole. in the painting. The day before it was dedicated, Miss Wiley filled the hole, which was centered in the halo above her figure of Christ, with concrete and painted over it a little flame symbol of the Holy Ghost. "That was what the mural needed, a moving symbol," Miss Wiley said.
Four memorial murals in wood marquetry grace the walls of St. Johns. These were designed by Mrs. Aimee Gorham and created by Lloyd's of Oregon, Inc. The art form known as marquetry achieves its beauty and effectiveness from the use of many varieties of wood inlaid to create a design or picture. One mural, given in memory of Rosalie Scott Willman, depicts the Archangel Gabriel. The flow of his robe is captured in the living grain of the design. Two murals, one showing Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, and the other one showing St. John, the Divine, were given in memory of Annie Besley (Scoff) Adams.
The information on the preceeding page was gathered and compiled by Carol Stein, member of St. John's Church, in 1991 from a variety of sources including: The Oregon Churchman (several issues); Historic Western Churches by Lambert Florin; Early History of Oregon's First Episcopal Church by Irwin Scott Adams, Jr.; Origins of the Episcopal Church in the Pacific Northwest by Thomas E. Jessett; The Milwaukie Review (several issues); The Oregon City Enterprise; and several church programs and bulletins.
CLERGY SERVING ST. JOHN, THE EVANGELIST,
MILWAUKIE, OREGON
1851-1855 St. Michael Fackler 1851-1853 William Richmond
1854-1856 John D. McCarty
1860-1863 Bishop Thomas F. Scott
1864 John W. Sellwood (officiating)
1866-1871 James R.W.Sellwood
1870-1792 John Sellwood
1895-1899 William Powell, Suburban Missioner
1901-1907 Philip K. Hammond
1910-1912 Tom Francis Bowen
1913 Charles Wellington Robinson
1913-1920 John D. Rice, General Missionary
1918-1920 C.H.L. Chandler
1921-1932 Upton H. Gibbs
1933-1934 Jay Claud Black, Archdeacon
1934-1935 Ralph Holt Wisecarver
1936-1937 Louis B. Keiter
1938 Richmond A. Burge (locum tenens)
1939-1947 Reginald T.T. Hicks
1947-1951 Frederick W. Clayton
1951-1955 Rob Roy Hardin
1955-1977 Franklin Evenson
1957-1987 Henry C. Barter, Deacon
1967-1969 Robert Williams, Curate
1976-1981 Michael A. Costanzo, Deacon
1977-1978 James G. Long (interim)
1978-1982 Herbert C. McMurtry
1982-1984 Karl Reich (interim)
1984-2003 Richard K. Toll
1988-1991 Lark Stephenson, Associate
????-???? Risa Thew, Associate
1996-present Stephen Denny, Deacon
2004 Bud Thurston (interim)
2004-2005 Rick Bullock (interim)
2005-present Sara Fischer
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church 2036 SE Jefferson St, Milwaukie, OR 97222 (503)653-5880