History of the Klamath Falls United Church of Christ Congregational 1928 to 2003

The work of the Congregational Church in Klamath Falls began in 1926 with the purchase of property on Wantland Avenue. This was accomplished with the help of Superintendent Harrison, Secretary Frank L. Moore and the Congregational Church Building Society. The property had a house and a barn. The house became a parsonage for the Rev. N.F. Cole and his family and the temporary location of the Sunday school which he established. The barn was soon remodeled so that the Sunday school could be held in the downstairs area and church services upstairs.

On Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, the Congregational Church of Klamath Falls was organized with twenty charter members and the Reverend Mr. Cole as pastor.

The Reverend T.D. Preston came in April, 1930 to replace Rev. Mr. Cole and served the church until 1934, when he left to accept a mission assignment in Hawaii.

After the completion of the South Sixth Street viaduct, the Wantland Street site seemed a rather undesirable location. It appeared also that the population concentration was nearer the vicinity of Mills School. A move seemed in order, and three lots were purchased at the corner of Garden and Martin Streets. The parsonage was moved to this location in 1931 and later the barn was moved and placed at the back of one of the lots, leaving space in front for a recreation area. The present church building was begun in 1931 and dedicated early in 1932. On Easter Sunday, 1932 twenty-two new members joined the church.

In 1933 the Girl Scouts received a cabin, the gift of Mr. E.M. Chilcote, to serve as a troop meeting place. The trustees gave permission to have it placed on the lot behind the church. It was used for Girl Scout meetings until about 1942. When the garage used by the minister burned, the Scouts House was moved and converted to replace it.

During the early 1930's an outdoor meeting place was constructed behind the church. The young people of the church built a stone fireplace next to the alley and put up a lattice fence. One of the lumber companies donated split logs of uniform size to be used as benches.

Mr. Preston carved a totem pole out of a small log and it was erected next to the fireplace. Many groups found this outdoor "room" a pleasant place for their social gatherings.

The summer of 1932 saw another significant community achievement when Mr. Preston was successful in persuading the city to organize its first city-wide recreation program.

The Community Hall continued to be the center of the social activities of the church: potluck suppers, young people's meetings and parties, wedding receptions and other similar affairs. During World War II, the Hall served a new purpose, the upstairs being used as a dormitory for servicemen in need of lodging.

Fire destroyed the Community Hall in the summer of 1949, and its loss was felt acutely. It was a few years before money was available to build a hall to replace it. During this period church dinners were held first in the back of the sanctuary and later in the vacant parsonage.

The new Fellowship Hall was built in 1953 and dedicated in January, 1954.

In the years 1954 to 1955 Robert L.R. Larson served as pastor. He was just out of seminary. From 1956 to 1961 Rev. Marshall McKinney served as pastor. Under his direction new chancel furniture was purchased for the church.

1957 marked the beginning of the United Church of Christ with which we were soon affiliated. Rev. Broyles also preached during his time.

From 1961 to 1965 Rev. Quinn Hawley, Rev. Frank Winn and Fred Heard, lay minister, were with us. Rev. Frank Winn had a radio program during his stay here. Fred Heard served as lay minister for six months before Rev. Winn came.

When Rev. Hawley was here our church was heavily involved in the migrant mission program sponsored by the Klamath Council of Churches in Malin.

Rev. E. William Greene came in 1965 and was with us till 1969. During this time new pews were installed and the minister's study was remodeled as a memorial for his mother. From 1969 to 1971 we were in a yoked fellowship with the Church of the Brethren. Rev. Martin Gauby was our halt-time minister. Our church was involved at this time with the FISH program; an elderly driving and help program.

From 1971 to 1975 we had a number of ministers serving our church. 1971-1972 Rev. Galen Anderson; 1972-1973 Rev. James Gilham, who started a pre-school in our church. He was also involved in a refurbishing project in the Fellowship Hall.

1973-1974 Rev. Gordon Hankins, 1974-1975 Rev. Carl Calhoun. From 1975 to July 1976 we just had guest ministers and during this time Rev. Steven Bukojemsky spoke quite often.

In July 1976 Rev. Richard A. Christensen; Martha Christensen, his wife; Aron, their son, come to be with us from the Wray and Ecklay Presbyterian churches in Colorado. Their daughter, Natalie, and son, Cory, were born in Klamath Falls. Rev. Christensen was a half-time minister for our church and half-time Christian Education consultant for the six Presbyterian churches in the Basin.

From 1976-1978, the membership more than doubled, and a variety of new programs were offered: intergenerational Sunday school, a children's sermon, women's association, adult fellowship, choir, bible study, social issue studies, retreats and concerts.

In 1980 the front of the church was remodeled which resulted in handicap access and stained glass windows designed by the Sunday school classes flanking the entry. Later the rainbow window in the sanctuary was created in memory of Ron Brockett.

During the 1980s and 1990s the church and parsonage were used by many community groups for a variety of purposed such as Wednesday's Child, KID Center, Sweet Adelines, Lutheran Community services.

May 21, 1994 we were one of the first churches in our conference to declare ourselves "Open and Affirming."

In the late 1990s Rev. Christensen became the minister at Mt. Laki Presbyterian Church and we joined together for Sunday and holiday services.

David and Pat Hedelman joined us in 1999. Because we had experienced a decline in membership we entered into a covenant with our Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ to rebuild our church. Since that time membership increased, the church re-carpeted, a garden and greenhouse created, and new friends made. We provide a parish nurse, offer Reiki healing, participate in an interfaith gospel choir, host a healing arts group, and grow vegetables for the Gospel Mission and other needy people.