Mission Avenue Presbyterian Church (Spokane, WA) Records, 1909-2013

The first link in the establishment of the Mission Avenue United Presbyterian Church was the organization of a Sunday school by a city missionary, Miss Theresa Lippert. (NOTE: See Folio 1-1 for a more extended narrative attributed to Ruby Railsback.) In 1909 two lots were purchased with funds from the Board of home Missions at the corner of Sharp Avenue and Cook Street. The Second United Presbyterian Church sold the new congregation an unused building for $100. This chapel was dedicated on January 10, 1910.

The first regular pastor was the Reverend G. G. Wilson who arrived in 1912 and served until 1917. He was followed by the Reverend W. F. Cochran who stayed only a short time. The church was closed for several months until late in 1918 when the National Board of Missions sent another lady missionary, Miss Laura Sawhill. She held her first meeting in January 1919 and stayed until 1929.

In 1929 Rev. W. A. Stewart, former pastor of the Second United Presbyterian Church for 11 years, became pastor of Fourth United Presbyterian Church. He was primarily responsible for the construction in 1935 of a new church at the present location, Mission Avenue and Crestline Street.

In 1940 Miss Margaret Work, another city missionary served until 1942, aided by several supply pastors. Dr. William Adams took over until 1944 and was followed by the Reverend William Phillips. Phillips left for foreign missions work in 1947.

Reverend Raymond Gordon served until September 1952. During his tenure the Church was remodeled and an education wing was added. Reverend George Wright came in February 1953 and stayed until June 1958. During his time Wright steered the congregation through a crucial period. After much preliminary work, the Fourth Church was disbanded and reorganize on November 16, 1954 as the Mission Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Incorporated. Wright was assisted for several months by Reverend D. A. Russell, who had served for 23 years as pastor of the Second Church.

Reverend Theodore Hegg came in February 1959. On July 9, 1962 work was begun on the construction of a new sanctuary. Mr. Hegg left the congregation on April 3, 1963 and was succeeded by Reverend Frank Venn on September 1, 1963. He preached the first service held in the new sanctuary.

The minutes (Folios 1-20 to 1-32) of the Session of Mission Avenue United Presbyterian Church for the years 1954 to 1994 recount the church's activities and fortunes during a time of great changes in the demographics of the northeast part of Spokane. The problems encountered are common to most of the churches in the Spokane Valley.