HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
KENT, WASHINGTON
1889 - 1999

The history of the First Presbyterian Church of Kent begins in the pioneer community of White River near what was known as the O'Brien area.  White River was the religious, social and education center of the entire thinly populated valley until the towns of Slaughter (now Auburn) and Kent were platted.  One year before the establishment of the post office (1861) the first sermon in the valley by an ordained minister (Methodist) was given in the home of Thomas M. Alvord by the Rev. D. L. Spaulding.

The White River Presbyterian Church, the oldest in the Presbytery of Seattle (then the Presbytery of Puget Sound), was organized in July 1867 by the Rev. G. W. Sloan in a converted log house known as the Langston School.  Membership was drawn from the entire valley. No denomination was able to provide White River with either a permanent pastor or regular pulpit supply until 1875 when the Presbyterians and the Methodists combined forces to insure the presence of a minister at least once a month.  The Rev. D. A. Atwood represented the Methodists and the Rev. Dr. George F. Whitworth, early president of the University of Washington and founder of Whitworth College (first located in Sumner), supplied for the Presbyterians.

Shortly after the towns of Auburn (formerly Slaughter) and Kent were platted they became the principal centers of population.  Kent was first known as the White River settlement of Langston's Landing.  It incorporated in 1890 as Kent.  The population was 510.  It was decided the Presbyterians in the valley could best be served by two churches, one in Auburn and the other in Kent.   In 1889 the White River Presbyterian Church moved its charter to Slaughter, and the members in the Kent area organized the First Presbyterian Church of Kent.  The church, a white frame building (see photo), was located near Titus and Kennebeck.  The Rev. Jack McMillan was the pastor and Rev. Dr. Whitworth was one of the organizing officers.  There were 12 charter members and it was a mission church.  On October 3, 1913 the name of the church was changed to the Olivet Presbyterian Church.  At this time there was a misunderstanding among some of the members (exact reason unknown) which resulted in a transfer of their membership to Seattle First Presbyterian Church.  A Commission, which included Dr. Mark Matthews, was appointed by Presbytery and reorganization resulted.  The name of the church was changed to Emanuel Presbyterian Church for a brief period, but Olivet Presbyterian Church was almost immediately restored.  It is believed that so few members and a lack of money contributed to this period of unrest; certainly there was not a lack of faith, commitment, or dedication.

A second church, a brick building (see photo), was constructed at the corner of State and Gowe and was dedicated December 12, 1926. Rev. N. S. Fiscus was pastor.  This church building still serves a congregation in downtown Kent.  The Depression of the 1930's was not kind to Olivet Presbyterian Church.  The church, which was still a mission effort because it was not self-supporting, barely survived with the assistance of temporary pastors.  Some members, frustrated with the lack of stability, began attending other churches.  It was during this time that a major earthquake rocked Kent and the brick steeple on the church fell.  This classical tower was replaced by the square steeple that still decorates the church.  The square steeple housed the bell that was later removed and is now housed in the narthex of the present church.  This bell was given to the Presbyterian Church of Kent, Washington in memory of Geo. Mann Fiske Laurie who died in Minnesota April 14, 1882 at the age of 3 years, by his parents the Rev. Jas. A. and S.B. Laurie. 

The bell was cast by the Clinton H. Meneely Bell Company, Troy, New York, A.D. 1890.  There is no documentation whether the bell was given in 1890 or 1904 when the Rev. Jas. A. Laurie was pastor at the church or at a later time, or where the bell was first housed.  It can be assumed from early history that it was housed in the first white frame church established in 1889.

In spite of depressions, floods, earthquakes, pastor and name changes, and World Wars I and II, the church survived. In 1955 the Rev. William L. Carleton was called as pastor.  Under Rev. Carleton's leadership, the congregation grew and moved off the mission rolls in 1956.  The members voted to reinstate the church's original name, First Presbyterian Church of Kent, in 1959. 

The congregation also voted to acquire land and build a new church.  The membership was growing, the city and environs were growing, and more space was needed.  A 5.62-acre site was purchased on East Hill at the S.E. corner of 94th Ave. So. and So. 248th St.  After much praying, planning, fund-raising, and hard work, prayers were answered and the new and present building (see photo at right) was completed in 1962 at a cost of $175,000. 
 

Site Of The New Church	Early Construction

  Land (purchased by Presbytery) was $20,000, and architect and construction costs were $155,000. This figure does not include building materials that were donated, many hours of volunteer labor to finish the basement and classrooms, the sanctuary furnishings which were all individual gifts and memorials, or the initial landscaping.  The Service of Dedication was held December 2, 1962.  A balance sheet in 1964 shows the Assets for Land and Building to be $189,164.30.  The parking lot paving and final landscaping was done later.  The sanctuary seats 250 to comply with the fire code.  The remainder of the 1960's was a period of growth in church membership and large church school and youth group enrollment.

Rev. Carleton recalls the 1970's as lean years when Boeing employment plummeted. It was a stressful time.  The church lost many members who had to move to find work; it was also a period that changed the direction of First Presbyterian Church of Kent.  The members became involved in helping the community with food and clothing, and whatever else was needed.  The thought was that this would be temporary but the church just kept giving and giving, and it never stopped.  The church is among the local churches on the front line of ministering to the needy.  In addition to offering aid to individuals, members of the church volunteer their time working with inmates at the Kent jail, helping at the community food bank, and helping prepare dinner once a week for those in need of a hot meal. They also prepare lunch twice a year for homeless women at the Church of Mary Magdalene in Seattle, and most recently provided shelter for homeless men.  Our tradition is heavily education and service oriented. We believe in being out in the world.

The church celebrated its first 100 years September 10,1989. Don McIver and Ruth Smith were current members honored as having the longest membership. Don McIver's family were early church members. Mrs. Smith and her late husband, Dewey, came to the area in the 1930's soon after the second church building was constructed, and raised their family in the church.  "Those were hard times, but the church survived very difficult situations."  Rev. Nancy Farrell, Associate Pastor at the time of the celebration, said "Laughing is our survival skill, it's essential to what we are."
After 35 years as pastor, Rev. Carleton retired in January 1990.  He looked to a promising future for Kent First. "There is an excellent core of people here who really want to do what God wants done.  I think we've built a strong foundation, and there's a real sense of excitement about the future."

With one exception, Kent First had been almost 10 years without a permanent pastor.  This time was good and not so good.  Each interim pastor brought special gifts to the congregation, and the members grew in many ways they didn't think possible.  They were challenged spiritually as the result of sermons delivered in ways unique to the particular pastor.  Looking inward, and with a greater trust in God, they found they could accomplish many things as lay persons.  The music program, which was always strong, became stronger with the purchase and installation of a beautiful pipe organ, and with the purchase of bells and the organization of a bell choir.  The Christian Education program tried new and innovative programs with success including mid-week Logos classes, Children's Worship, and a variety of Adult classes.  These programs were supported by a dedicated staff of teachers.  The Great Escape, which was started in the late 1970's, continues.  This is a weekend retreat of study and fellowship for the congregation and pastor, and is funded by a spring auction and other monetary gifts.  A guest pastor is in the church pulpit.  On the minus side, the membership comes and goes.  The area is transitional at best, and some people get tired of the constant change of pastors and lack of stability.

The congregation voted to call a new pastor, Rev. Carol Kirkpatrick, June 27, 1999; her first Sunday was September 5, 1999.  She comes from the Blackhawk Presbytery in Illinois.  The Pastor Nominating Committee was seeking God's call for the church and was confident that He led them to Rev. Kirkpatrick.  She has strong gifts of preaching, counseling, creativity, and the ability to further empower people to discover and use their gifts.  She is looking to partner in ministry with a church searching for God's will.

The year 2000 and the new millennium are here.  The congregation looks forward with anticipation to follow the path God chooses, confident that we will rise to the challenges facing the First Presbyterian Church of Kent and the Presbyterian Church USA.
 

Researched and Compiled by:
Glen W. Sherwood, Historian
Rev. William L. Carleton, Pastor Emeritus
January, 2000

First Presbyterian Church of Kent

	1889	Rev. George H. Whitworth, Organizing Officer
	1889	Rev. Jack McMillan, SS
	1890	Rev. James A. Laurie, SS
	1891	Rev. John McMillan, SS Rev. Wilmer MacNair, Professor, Whitworth College, Sumner
	1895	Rev. Calvin W. Stewart, SS, DD, Whitworth College President
	1896	Rev. Benjamin F. Miller, SS
	1897	Rev. Charles E. Comwell
	1899	Rev. R. V. Garretson
	1900	Rev. William Omelvena, SS
	1904	Rev. Ferdinand G. Strange, SS  Rev. James A. Laurie, SS
	1906	Rev. Hazen T. Murray
	1909	Rev. Felix S. Thomas
	1910	Rev. William A. Mackey, DO, SS
	1911	Eli N. Quist
	1912	Rev. Walter A. Couden,  SS Rev. E.S. Sharpe

Olivet Presbyterian Church

	1913	Reorganized under a Presbytery Commission
	1915	Rev. Clyde R. McMillan
	1916	Vacant
	1920	Vacant Rev. Archie Roy Griggs Rev. J. A. or John C. Young
	1922	Rev. William J. Thompson, SS
	1925	Vacant
	1926	Rev. Newell S. Fiscus, SS  Rev. William Baskerville
	1928	Vacant
	1929	Rev. Max Stowe, SS
	1932	Rev. Honor L. Wilhelm, SS
	1940	Vacant
	1942	Vacant
	1944	Rev. Charles E. Sharpe, SS
	1948	Rev. Perry Bovee, SS
	1949	Dwight Smith, Student Minister Rev. Ironmonger (No first name found)
	1950	Vacant
	1951	Rev. Robert A. Walmsley
	1955	Rev. William L. Carleton

First Presbyterian Church of Kent

	1960	Rev. William L. Carleton (Rev. Carleton retired in 1990 serving as Pastor for 35 years)
	1990	Rev. James Christensen, Interim
	1992	Rev. Dennis J. Hughes, Interim
	1993	Rev. Jerry E. Ablidinger
	1994	Rev. Gary Barckert, SS
	1995	Rev. Gary Barckert, Designated Pastor
	1998	Rev. J. Graley Taylor, Interim
	1999	Rev. Carol Kirkpatrick

Christian Education Consultant (PT) Mary Elizabeth Thompson 1975-1979
Assistant Pastor Rev. Terry Teigen, 1981-1985
Associate Pastor Rev. Nancy Farrell, 1986-1990

Studying for the Ministry from First Presbyterian:
Christine Willhite Buckmaster, San Anselmo, 1976-1979
Ryan Shrauner, Princeton, 1995-1998; Ordained, December 18, 1999
 

First ordained Women Elders:
Mrs. Cecelia Patten, Ordained 1950.  Elected Elder in 1950 to fill Unexpired term of her husband John Patten.
Ms. Wylena Gamon, Ordained 1958.  Elected to a 3-year term, Elder Class of 1961.

Legend:

**	DD	Dr. of Divinity
	SS	Stated Supply
	PT	Part Time

* These numbers are not a true reflection of the Christian Education program 1995 to the present.  There have been special programs for children (Logos and Children's Worship) and for Adults that are not recorded.  There has been a well attended Vacation Bible School most summers dating back to the 1950's.

For additional statistics on Kent First Presbyterian provided from PC(USA) click here!