First Baptist Church was first established over 150 years ago and continues to be a thriving Church in the Eugene community today. When the Baptists came over in covered wagons to the rough Oregon Territory, a church was a necessity. Past On July 1, 1852, Elder Vincent Snelling, Elder William Sperry, and 7 Baptists convened at the log cabin of Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Harlow. Harlow was chosen secretary and Reverend Vincent Snelling, whom history credits as the first resident Baptist preacher in Oregon, was chosen as Moderator of the Council. These were the charter members and founders of First Baptist Church of Eugene and were destined to shape its future for generations to come. After this first meeting Rev. William Sperry began preaching once a month. In July, 1852, the church met for its first business meeting and began receiving new members by letter, eventually bringing the church to 23 strong. Meanwhile, the area across the Willamette River was becoming more settled and Eugene City was steadily increasing in population. Consequently, the church voted at its regular business meeting to hold its church meetings in Eugene City. These first meetings were held in a hotel building owned by M. H. Harlow at the corner of Eighth and Pearl Streets. The meeting place was later transferred to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building at the corner of Sixth and Pearl Street. Rev. G. W. Bond was voted pastor for one year at a salary of $100.00 on July 17, 1858. Later, on August 14, 1858, it was unanimously voted to change the name of the church from Willamette Forks to First Baptist Church of Eugene City. As the years went by and the Civil War raged on, the church took many forward steps, including organizing the first Sunday School on April 16, 1864. A committee was formed to take a deed to the soon to be church property at the corner of Eighth and Pearl Streets on January 14, 1865. On this lot a one-room frame structure, seating about 150 people, was completed in 1867. A committee was later authorized to sign a note on behalf of the church payable to M. H. Harlow in payment of work done and material furnished for the church. This note was renewed a year later. Eventually a mortgage was brought about for the property at $350.00 to pay the note. Rev. G. W. Bond resigned as pastor on May 16, 1868, after nearly ten years of faithful service. In the sixteen years that followed, many changes in pastorates marked the history of the church. During this period Rev. J. C. Richardson served as pastor on four different occasion. Rev. Claiborne M. Hill was voted and ordained pastor on October 29, 1884, and served the church for five years. The first church building was sold and moved off the lot so a new structure could be erected, which would eventually become the central unit for frequent remodeling and enlargements. The year before Rev. Hill resigned on January 1, 1890, there were 157 named on the church roll, and an average attendance of 60 in the Sunday School. Rev. Harry L. Boardman began his fruitful ministry on November 1, 1893, resulting in many new additions to the church. Dr. Ora C. Wright was voted in as pastor on May 1, 1893. The church's main office were remodeled and prayer and Sunday School class rooms added. When Dr. Wright closed his chapter as pastor at First Baptist on August 1, 1910, the church had a membership of 583, up from 300 when he first came, and the property was valued at about $28,000. The next pastor to come to Firs Baptist was Rev. Henry Wilson Davis on August 28, 1910. Membership increased steadily during his pastorate and a basement, kitchen, and pastor's study were added to the growing church. Then came WW1, taking many young and old from the church and congregation. Rev. Davis was granted a leave of absence in September, 1917, for six months of training and later turned in his resignation on February 28, 1918, to start his service oversees. On September 6, 1917, Rev. Charles E. Dunham began serving the church as a regular pastor. The building was once more remodeled in 1921 due to overflowing Sunday School classes, but the need for a new building was keenly felt. In May, 1922, the church voted to set aside $500 for a Building Fund. A period of emotional and doctrinal unrest swept the coast at this time, disturbing many churches and delaying the construction of the new building. Rev. Dunham presented his resignation to take effect on June 30, 1925, due to another church's call elsewhere in Oregon. Dr. Charles L. Trawin began his ministry with the church in September, 1925. Immediately steps were taken to begin the building of the new church with plans drawn up and approved by the congregation on March 25, 1926. C. S. Frank Harlow and S. B. Schmieding were named as co-chairmen of the Building Committee. Ground was broken for the new building May 5, 1926, and formal dedication of the church took place December 4, 1927. The cost of the lot, building, organ, and furnishings amounted to about $175,000 at the time, but would later be valued for much more. With completion of the new building Dr. Twin left the church to take charge of a similar building project in California on November, 1929. Dr. A. J. Harms began his pastorate on October 1, 1936. During his service there were many new additions to the church, both by letter and baptism. Dr. Harms resigned in December, 1940, to accept a position at First Baptist Church of Omaha, Nebraska. It was given to Dr. Vance H. Webster, the 27th pastor of the church, to complete a century of service for Christ. His pastorate began in September, 1941, and became the longest in the history of the church. The Sunday School grew to 950 strong and membership increased to 2,600. The completion of the payment of the indebtedness on the church building and burning of the mortgage on December 7, 1943, also took place. Dr. Webster would eventually become known for his interest in the beginning of many new chapels that would eventually become churches. During the days of WWII, through a generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Harlow of twenty-five acres along the McKenzie River, the Harlow Lodge and Camp were made possible. In 1949 a lodge was built and later two cabins were added as well as a youth director's house. On Sunday, June 29, 1952, First Baptist Church of Eugene, Oregon, celebrated its 100th Anniversary. On July 26, 1953, Webster Hall was dedicated at Harlow Lodge commemorating Dr. Webster's past, present, and future work with the church. After 28 years of faithful service Rev. Vance H. Webster, 66, retired on August 31, 1969. Not only had he helped build the church to become the largest in the area, but he himself had become the longest serving pastor to one church in the Eugene area. Membership increased from 1,400 to 2,600 during his time as pastorate and continued to grow as he moved on. As the years went by the church was remodeled many times to encompass its growing membership and Sunday School attendance. Children and young adult ministries were started along with many outreach programs to the poor of Eugene and surrounding communities. First Baptist saw the coming and going of eight pastors through the Vietnam and Gulf War. Many men and women were called into service from the church and many died, but they continue to be honored by the church and their relatives. Present The current pastor, Dr. Kimball E. Hodge, is now going on his 10th year with First Baptist and is about to head the moving of the church from its current residence, Broadway and High Street, to Coburg Road by Camp Harlow. The move was voted on by members on April 1 and 2, 2000, and the plan was almost unanimously agreed upon by the church congregation. Construction will hopefully begin sometime later this year, bringing with it 1,780 seats for the over 2,000 attending members. There will also be room for the AWANA ministries, the children and adult ministries, and parking. The total expense of the new church will come to about $12,500,000. Fundraising had already commenced and is growing by the day. First Baptist Church of Eugene was started at a time of trial and hardship for the incoming pioneers of the Oregon Territory. As the years have gone by the church has triumphed through all obstacles and continues to thrive in the Eugene Community today, thanks to its founders and all that have followed in the past 148 years. Source: Lucille McKenzie By Brittany Wright The Path of a Faithful Church Thurston High School May 19, 2000 Project in its entirety available at Lane County Historical Museum 740 W 13th Eugene, Oregon 97402 Return to top  Church Activity in Springfield Lane County Historical Museum Return to main page