Archives West Finding Aid

On September 19, 1957 the Rev. Dr. Clarence Polhemus, General Presbyterian, reported to the Board of National Missions that the potential for a new field of ministry was good. Hence, on November 1, 1957 the Rev. Graley Taylor started the work in North Spokane. The organizational meeting was convened on December 28, 1957 with 43 people present, and the first church service was held on January 5, 1958. The name Northwood Presbyterian Church was chosen.

Official organization of the new church took place on Sunday, March 30, 1958 at Madison School. It was attended by over 200 people. The first official congregational meeting was held on April 9, 1958 at Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church at which time the site and architects for a church building were selected. The cost of the lots was listed as $7000. In May of 1958 loan papers with the Synod of Washington and the Board of National Missions were signed and necessary equipment was purchased.

In April of 1958 J. Graley Taylor left and was followed by Dr. David Dilworth of Whitworth College as the interim pastor. Dr. David V. Yeaworth was installed as permanent pastor on November 19th. On June 26, 1960 Dr. Polhemus was approached by the Planning Committee and the Board of Trustees regarding the financing of a program for a new building. On September 7th the Congregation applied for a loan of $90,000 from the Synod Corporation for the construction of a sanctuary, Christian Education and fellowship facilities.

At the end of 1966 church membership was 552 and the average Sunday church service attendance was 350. Church school enrollment stood at 597. In May of 1968 there was a building fund shortfall of $8,815. The figure was $8846 at the close of the year 1969. In 1970 Dr. Yeaworth departed the congregation. The chronic deficit in building fund payments was refinanced so that only interest was to be paid for the next eight years, 25% of the annual budget. At the end of 1970 total membership was 472. This figure increased to 511 at the close of 1971. In 1972 the trustees reported that the Congregation had not met its General Mission and Benevolence pledges. Membership was 354. At the end of 1975 membership stood at 302. In 1978 the Narthex and the Sanctuary were repainted and a new roof was contracted for at $32,000 plus tax. Church membership now stood at 312. The total cost for the roof finally came to $40,000 (and it was not without problems). In June of 1982 the building of a sloping roof, rather than the existing flat one, was approved, with Northwood men supplying most of the labor. The above is a short synopsis of Northwood’s challenging history up to 1982. For those interested, further details can be found in file folder 1/21 and in 50th Anniversary folios.