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Fourth Memorial Church (Spokane, WA) Records, 1929-2002

Overview of the Collection

Title
Fourth Memorial Church (Spokane, WA) Records
Dates
1929-2002 (inclusive)
1990's (bulk)
Quantity
31 cu. ft.
Collection Number
PNW.31
Summary
This collection consists of historical, administration, and congregation records from the Fourth Memorial Church (Spokane, Wash.).
Repository
Whitworth University Archives and Special Collections
Whitworth University Archives and Special Collections
300 W. Hawthorne Road
Spokane, WA 99251
Telephone: 5097774481
archives@whitworth.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use

Languages
Materials are in English
Sponsor
Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment of the Humanities.
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Historical Note

(NOTE: Taken in part from Fourth Memorial Church's web site, http://www.fourthmem.com/Fourth_Info/Vision/Doctrine/History/history/html)

Fourth Memorial Church was first incorporated as Fourth Presbyterian Church, Spokane, Washington in January 1903 with 61 founding members. Its first pastor was Dr. S. M. Ware.

Between 1913 and 1927 the church developed under the leadership of several pastors. In 1925 a new addition was dedicated which included a gym, kitchen, fireside room and the old sanctuary (now known as Uhden Hall).

Between 1927 and 1941 the church continued to flourish, especially with its programs directed to young people. Fourth Church had its choir loft filled with young people on Sunday evenings.

Following the arrival of the Reverend Wilbur J. Antisdale (1951-1961) significant changes took place. Antisdale began a Sunday morning radio ministry that continued for many years. A new educational wing was added to the church.

In 1957 there occurred a long process of withdrawal from the United Presbyterian Church U. S. A., and the name was changed to Fourth Memorial Church. Sixty-three acres of wooded waterfront property on the Pend O'Reille River were purchased for only $22,000 and converted into the now well-known Riverview Bible Camp.

Again, under the leadership of the Reverend Edward J. Underhill (1961-1989), significant changes took place. In 1964 two Sunday morning services were needed, and a second Christian Education building was dedicated in 1969. With the assistance of four elders the daughter church, Valley Fourth Memorial, was started on September 24, 1972. In 1973 Inland Empire School of the Bible, now affiliated with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, began using Fourth Church's facilities. Then on April 27, 1976 a second daughter church, Northview Bible Church, was established on Spokane's north side.

In 1992 Fourth underwent a second difficult split when its then pastor, the Reverend Chris Mueller (1989-1992) led portion of the congregation away. He formed Faith Bible Church on the west side of Spokane. However, recovery of Fourth Memorial Church was swift under the leadership of the Reverend John Repsold. In 1993 a new Worship Center was dedicated to accommodate the growing congregation and its city-wide ministries. The church is well-known for its continuing support of missions, both domestic and foreign.

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Content Description

This collection consists of historical, administration, and congregation records from the Fourth Memorial Church (Spokane, Wash.).

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

This collection is open for use

Preferred Citation

From the Fourth Memorial Church Records located in the Whitworth College Archives, Spokane, Washington

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Series History

Series Administration

Series The Congregation

Series Missions Program

Series Oversize

Processing Note

This collection was first processed on unknown and last updated on May 31, 2006

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Geographical Names

Hugh Johnston, D.N. Feddes
2006

CC Attribution
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