Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Church Building

    In 1919, the congregation of the First Swedish Baptist Church of Portland set aside $700.00 as the beginning of a building fund and commenced looking for a suitable location for a new church building.  The plans for this new building on Clackamas between 6th and 7th  were adopted in April 1926 and the dedication of the present building was held in June of 1927. 

    The day was August 4, 2002.
  
    The morning of the celebration began with cloudy skies and a threat of rain but that did not deter the many volunteers from arriving early to work fast and efficiently so that all would be ready on time.  Meters were covered and the streets were closed.  Tents were raised to protect the guests and musicians from the heat of the sun or.....maybe even rain.  The cooks were bustling about the kitchen preparing a variety of crowd pleasing foods.  A flurry of people hustled about carrying sound equipment, concrete blocks, round tables, long tables, chairs, chairs and more chairs transforming the lot into a comfortable place for a celebration. 
    The church was filled with people for the morning service.   Pastor Mike Pinkerton gave the Sunday morning message.  The message, "A Dedication to Our Calling" taken from Jeremiah 29:1-4, directed our attention to our responsibility to enter into the life of the community by challenging us as a church and as individuals to be faithful to pray for and to reach out with the Gospel to those around us in our neighborhoods, our cities and our workplaces and to remain committed to our mission.  During the worship service, Pastor Mike welcomed the many people that joined us for the day and gave recognition to the following people who were a part of Temple when the building was dedicated in 1927:  Marjorie and Phyllis Rydman, Morrie Brask, Eileen Johnson, Betty Carlson, Bert and Maydora Johnson, Evans Nelson, Astrid Johnson, Hildur Strandberg, Viola Christiansen, Stanley Gordh and Margaret Steel.  Many members of the Hope Vietnamese Church were in attendance plus a few new faces from the community.  Riley Armstrong sang, "All the Difference" and Joe Ryan prayed a "Prayer of Thanksgiving "for all that God has done for the ministry of Temple.  
     After the service followed the tradition of filming each family as they descended the front steps of the church building.
     Then we proceeded to the barbeque in the churches parking  lot on the Southwest corner of the city block that the church occupies.  The church had permission to block off  NE 6th Avenue on the west side behind the church as well as Wasco Street on the south side.  The threat of rain had passed leaving warm sunrays that filled the air along with the aroma of an old fashioned barbeque.  Children and families played in the closed streets with jump ropes, bubbles and toys while the older kids played a robust game of soccer in the adjacent lot.  Others reminisced while viewing the historical displays and old movies of members attending earlier Temple Celebrations.
     Pastor Mike gave the blessing for the meal and was the master of ceremonies.  We had barbequed hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, soda pop and a two piece band from Scappoose.  We had ice cream and cake for desert.  Pastor Mike had a short message during lunch.  Corbit Magby, our new Columbia Baptist Conference Executive Assistant was introduced.  As we settled in with our deserts, recording artist, Riley Armstrong closed the program with a "mini concert" that was enjoyed by all.

     Click here to see a letter from Senator Gordon Smith, written to the church.  Senator Smith also sent an American Flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol Building on May  28, 2002, in Washington DC.  It was flown on that date to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Temple.  At this date the flag is hanging above the choir loft in the church sanctuary.  See image of the flag on the right.  Click Here to see a photo taken at Temple of the group named above that were at the 1927 dedication.  

    We can chronicle the works of faithful servants of the Living God, but "to God be the glory great things He has done,"  God's hand every day in the life of this congregation is clearly evident.  This church has been in existence for 118 years.  This building for 75 years--all by God's blessings and grace.

Most of the wording of this article was written by Cathy Horness.                 (Italicized sections copied from church archives.)

Return to Church History 2002