Highlights & Memories from EUMC Past
Dedicated to all those loving and faithful saints who have gone before us. It was so well expressed by Katherine Leraas (b. 1921, d. 1998) in her Administrative Board report of 1987:
In Garrison Keillor's latest book he writes about the people in his hometown church in Lake Woebegone. He talks about what hard workers they are, and that he is sure when they die and go to heaven the women will go down and find the kitchen and start cooking. He also says he thinks the men will come in and begin checking the roof of God's house for leaks, and ask where they can find the heating system to check it out. Though I laughed as I read it, I couldn't help but think how much I could relate his story to our Edmonds United Methodist Church, for I know of all the people here who give so much: the teachers, the Food Bank Crew, the Volunteers who show-up so faithfully, the women who call on the shut-ins, the grounds crew out there rain or shine making the church yard so beautiful; the Thrift Shop Crew, the choirs, and the dozens of people who serve in countless other ways, too numerous to list here. We are truly a working church. And doesn't Paul tell us that it is not by faith alone we are chosen, but that we must have works too? We must continually thank God for the leadership he has provided for us, both through the clergy and the laity, and we must also remember that those to whom much is given, much is expected. We have come a long way from that small town church in downtown Edmonds. But we still have a long way to go. I am confident that with God's blessings and your help we will make it.
1886
The first Sunday school in Edmonds was organized by Mrs. Wellington Smith (Flora), Dorothy McKenzie's grandmother.
1903
The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was set up by Carl Peterson. Church was built in 1904 on land which was sold to the church trustees for $250 by Mr. and Mrs. John Lyke. The location was at what is presently Fifth and Dayton.
1908
Mr. B. F. Luce, a retired Methodist minister organized a Sunday school. Services were held in the building owned by the Swedish Methodist Episcopal congregation.
1909
The Methodist Sunday school led to the establishment of the Edmonds Episcopal Methodist Church on February 20th as these seventeen charter members were recorded.
Rev. C.W. Stevens
Rev. & Mrs. B.F. Luce
Mr. & Mrs. A.G. Pike
Mr. & Mrs. H.L. Place
John Byler
John Paige
Rachel Chase
Ella Carr
Jennie Hogg
Mr. & Mrs. H.L. Place
Mrs. J. D. Moore
Mrs. Louisa Young
Mr. & Mrs B.F. Wasser
1915
The Rev. S.G. Jones made it possible for the Methodists to assume all claims and assessments against the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, on the condition that they would relinquish and transfer the property to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1924
Bishop Sheppard was interested in building a church in Edmonds as a memorial to Bishop Hughes. The Rev. Mr. C. E. Preston, who was serving as minister at the time, worked tirelessly fund raising for a new building. July 24th the building was dedicated officially as Hughes Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The old church building was moved to the back of the property.
1928
The Rev. Mr. John H. Berringer was appointed as pastor. He was especially active with the youth of the church, camping and hiking with his "Mountaineers" and fixing up the old church building for their use.
1932
The Rev. Mr. O. L. Anthony came. During this period the Annex (the old church) was again renovated for Sunday school use.
Ginny Hardman recalls her husband, Bill, saying that as a teenager he rang the church bell on Sunday mornings.
1934
Rev. Mr. J. R. Butler came from Port Orchard. Because of the Depression, the church had a difficult time financially.
1936
With the Rev. Mr. C.G. Sanders, the church had an especially large and active group of young people.
1941
Rev. Mr. O. L. Tanqueray, arrived to find a congregation of 144.
1942
January 1, the church caught fire from an overheated furnace and was badly damaged. The congregation soon set about the task of rebuilding. This was done within two years.
1944
The newly constructed church was dedicated. At the same time, the Methodists celebrated the final payment of all indebtedness. The Rev. Henry Haines arrived and the church entered a period of relative growth and prosperity. Mrs. Haines was very active in reorganizing the Ladies Aid into the Woman's Society of Christian Service.