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Manito Presbyterian Church Records, 1908-2003

Overview of the Collection

Title
Manito Presbyterian Church Records
Dates
1908-2003 (inclusive)
1955-2001 (bulk)
Quantity
8 cu. ft.
Collection Number
PNW .45
Summary
History and Programs of Manito Presbyterian Church from inception to crisis due to church split.
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

Collection is not restricted.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

Manito Presbyterian Church was established on April 26,1908 in a small chapel at 29th Avenue and Latawah St. The back of the first church plate reads "1905 – First Record of Manito Park Sunday School." An article in the Spokesman Review on April 27, 1908 read "Manito Presbyterian Church is at the corner of 29th Avenue and Latawah street. The building was but recently completed and the Rev. Mr. Parks made pastor."

First mention of Manito in the minutes of the Presbytery of Spokane was on October 2, 1907, in a report by Pastor-at-Large George Hagemann, who duty was to canvass and preach in the outlying areas of the Presbytery. On April 23, 1908 a petition having 19 signatures pledging membership and 12 additional signatures pledging support was presented asking that a Presbyterian church be organized at Manito Park.

Bethel Presbyterian Church made the application for a grant mortgage of $600 for the lot and chapel of Manito Presbyterian Church since Manito was not yet incorporated. The church was formally organized on April 26, 1908.

There were lean years ahead. The pastor was paid just $12 per month plus any extra amount taken in each Sunday and left over after the bills were paid. In February 19110, the Reverend Albert McClain provided pastoral services at both Manito and Rosevale (now Bethany) at a salary of $50 from Manito and $125 from Roseville per month. However, in 1908 better times appeared and the Reverend Leo Toten provided leadership. In 1912 the membership approved construction of a new church and a pastoral salary of $600.

Manito dedicated its new building on January 10, 1914. In 1918 the Reverend B. Scott Bates, then president of Whitworth College, served Manito for one year. After WWI in 1919 membership reacher 162 with 55 in regular attendance.

In 1920 the church bought its first manse and paid off the mortgage in 1940.

Hard times again appeared with the Great Depression but the work of the church continued. In the minutes of the April 1933 Congregational meeting Pastor Merle Edwards stated that he would cancel $100 of his salary as his gift to the church, and recommended that his salary be only $1500 per month. In the same tight budget $13 was allotted for the "Anti-Saloon League"!

In the summer of 1933 Pastor Edwards resigned and left because there were not enough resources to support a young pastor with a wife and three children.

In September of 1933 Rev. Hugh T. Mitchelmore came and stayed for almost four years. The church, still facing hard times, called the Rev. William I. Livingston, a retired pastor. He served two years. In the fall of 1938 the Rev. Evert Top proved to be the right person to build the congregation. He served until July 1958.

The year 1939 marked the beginning of a new era for Manito. The membership increased ten-fold, the Church School enrollment soared and new organizations were formed and prospered. The cornerstone for a new sanctuary was laid in 1956 and the completed building was dedicated on May 4, 1956. A new wing was finished and dedicated in 1940. I provided Church School rooms, assembly hall and additional office space.

In 1947 the first unit of the permanent Church School was built with the men of Manito doing much of the labor. Church membership stood at 522 and the Sunday school enrollment had climbed to 416. Then in 1951, the membership gradually acquired the building east of the church to be used as the new manse, a custodian's home on the corner across Latawah, and 13 lots for a proposed new sanctuary' a second unit for the Church School, and a parking area. The second unit of the Church School was completed in May 1953. Again, enrollment increased and it was necessary to have two church services each Sunday and two Church School services.

The new sanctuary was dedicated May 4, 1958. In July 1958 Reverend Top passed away and the Rev. Raymond W. Moody was called on Feb. 1, 1959. Growth continued even through the social unrest of the 1960s. In June of 1975 Dr. Moody resigned . His successor, the Rev. Ervin G. Roorda began his ministry with the congregation.

In 1983 there were 144 children enrolled in the Church School, ages two through sixth grade, with 25 teachers.

All of this nearly was nearly lost during the ministry of the Rev. Dr. L. Douglas Waggoner who proceeded to lead 85% of the congregation away in the Fall of 2001 in a dispute with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.). However, the situation was saved by the prompt intervention of the Inland Empire Presbytery, which provided emergency pastoral leadership to the remaining members of Manito. The church retained its property and is slowing growing under the leadership of the Rev. Scott Starbuck. Starbuck, a graduate of Whitworth College, began his ministry in December of 2001.

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Content Description

Historic and administrative records of Manito Presbyterian Church of Spokane, Washington.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Collection is open for use.

Preferred Citation

From the Manito Presbyterian Church (Spokane, Wash.) Records located in the Whitworth College Archives, Spokane, Washington.

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Administrative Information

Preservation Note

Good except for two boxes held out for decontamination because of mold.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Manito Presbyterian Church, September 2003.

401 East 30th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99203-2556

Related Materials

See also the Fourth Memorial Church Records, PNW Protestantism Collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Introduction and Inventory
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1

  • History

    Other Descriptive Information

    See Box 6 for the installation of pastors.

    • Description: 10th Anniversary
      Dates: 1918 May 3
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2
      Location: History
    • Description: Church Organ
      Dates: 1893-1935
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3
      Location: History
    • Description: Specifications for the Construction of Manito Presbyterian Church
      Dates: 1955 October 18
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4
      Location: History
    • Description: 50th Anniversary
      Dates: 1958 May 4
      Container: Box/Folder 1/5
      Location: History
    • Description: Dedication of Memorials
      Dates: 1960 May 15
      Container: Box/Folder 1/6
      Location: History
    • Description: Appraisal Report: City Street Improvements Affecting Manito Presbyterian Church
      Dates: 1956 March 25
      Container: Box/Folder 1/7
      Location: History
    • Description: Church Program
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1/8
      Location: History
    • Description: 60th Anniversary
      Dates: 1968 April 28
      Container: Box/Folder 1/9
      Location: History
    • Description: Building Program; Analysis and Specifications
      Dates: 1969-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1/10
      Location: History
    • Description: Church Bus
      Dates: 1972
      Container: Box/Folder 1/11
      Location: History
    • Description: 70th Anniversary
      Dates: 1978 May 7
      Container: Box/Folder 1/12
      Location: History
    • Description: Archives Committee
      Dates: 1983-1984
      Container: Box/Folder 1/13
      Location: History

    • 75th Anniversary

      • Description: Ground Breaking Ceremony: Slides
        Dates: 1982 June
        Container: Box/Folder 1/14
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Correspondence
        Dates: 1982 October 11-1983 September 14
        Container: Box/Folder 1/15
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Anniversary Committee
        Dates: 1982-1987
        Container: Box/Folder 1/16
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Photographs
        Dates: 1983
        Container: Box/Folder 1/17
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Miscellaneous Documents re Preparation and Activities
        Dates: 1983 April
        Container: Box/Folder 1/18
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Pictures and Snapshots
        Dates: 1983 April 18-20
        Container: Box/Folder 1/19
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Photographs of the Church and Worship Scenes
        Dates: 1983
        Container: Box/Folder 1/20
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: "'Old Pictures' Received after the 1983 Memorial Book was published"
        Dates: 1983
        Container: Box/Folder 1/21
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Manito Gardens Apartments
        Dates: 1983 September 11
        Container: Box/Folder 1/22
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
      • Description: Stained Glass Windows
        Dates: 1983
        Container: Box/Folder 1/23
        Location: History / 75th Anniversary
    • Description: Archives Fireproof Filing Cabinet
      Dates: 1984
      Container: Box/Folder 1/24
      Location: History
    • Description: Memorial Chapel
      Dates: 1984
      Container: Box/Folder 1/25
      Location: History
    • Description: Snapshots of Activities
      Dates: circa 1985
      Container: Box/Folder 1/26
      Location: History
    • Description: "We Are the Family – Our Church's Past"
      Dates: 1908-1988
      Container: Box/Folder 1/27
      Location: History
    • Description: Church Building Snapshots
      Dates: 1990
      Container: Box/Folder 1/28
      Location: History
    • Description: "Re-imagining... God, Community and the Church" Controversy
      Dates: 1994 April 21
      Container: Box/Folder 1/29
      Location: History

    • "Forward-by-Faith" Project

    • Description: 90th Anniversary
      Dates: 1998 April 26
      Container: Box/Folder 2/1
      Location: History
    • Description: Purchase of Land at 61st Ave. and Freya St.
      Dates: 1998
      Container: Box/Folder 2/2
      Location: History
    • Description: " Missional History of Manito Presbyterian Church" by Charissa L. Strope, Lilly Grant Intern in the Weyerhaeuser Center for Faith and Learning, Whitworth College
      Dates: 2002
      Container: Box/Folder 2/3
      Location: History
    • Description: Church Split: Website Information
      Dates: 2001 October
      Container: Box/Folder 2/4
      Location: History
    • Description: Recovery: Website Information
      Dates: 2002-2003
      Container: Box/Folder 2/5
      Location: History

  • Administration

    • Description: Certificate Stubs: Installation of Elder
      Dates: 1993-1998
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6
      Location: Administration
    • Description: Leadership: Restructuring
      Dates: 1997 January
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7
      Location: Administration
    • Description: Leadership: Elder Information Packet
      Container: Box/Folder 2/8
      Location: Administration

    • Session

      • Description: Minutes
        Dates: 1955 July 26-1996 April 28
        Container: Box/Folder 2/9-20
        Location: Administration / Session
      • Description: Minutes
        Dates: 1999
        Container: Box/Folder 2/21
        Location: Administration / Session
      • Description: Comments on Church Reorganization
        Dates: 1996
        Container: Box/Folder 2/22
        Location: Administration / Session

    • Deacons

      • Description: Stubs of Certificates for Ordination of Deacons
        Dates: 1991-1996
        Container: Box/Folder 2/23
        Location: Administration / Deacons
      • Description: Minutes
        Dates: 1978 December 29-1996 November 12
        Container: Box/Folder 2/24-26
        Location: Administration / Deacons
      • Description: Committee Reports
        Dates: 1995-1996
        Container: Box/Folder 2/27
        Location: Administration / Deacons
      • Description: Meals of Wheels Program
        Dates: 1996 November 28
        Container: Box/Folder 2/28
        Location: Administration / Deacons

    • Financial

  • Congregation

  • Oversized

    • Description: Photographs
      Container: Box 8
      Location: Oversized

  • Addenda

    • Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.

      • Description: Personal

        (See also Box 6, Folio 28)

        Dates: 1964-1968
        Container: Box/Folder 7/14
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Adult Bible Class Materials
        • Introduction to Bible Study
        • The Life of Christ
        • The Letter to the Ephesians
        • Study of the Psalms
        Container: Box/Folder 7/15
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Membership Class: "This Is My Church"
        Container: Box/Folder 7/16
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Undated Topics
        • The Power of an Idea
        • God Rules the World
        • Can You Take It (The Art of Accepting Criticism)
        • Who Is Your Master?
        • Things Unshakable
        • Unshakable Things
        • We Give Thanks
        • The Adventure of Faith
        • Why Be Afraid?
        • The Afterglow of Easter
        • The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
        • The Power Behind the Church
        • Prelude to Pentecost
        • The Significance of the Cross
        • The Christian Meaning of Greatness
        • The Power of an Idea
        • Jesus Christ, All or Nothing
        • What's Right with the Young
        • How Can We Believe in a God of Love?
        • Our Link with the Eternal
        • Who Wants to Live Forever?
        • The Church's Business
        • What Do These Stones Mean?
        • The Shifting Sands of Fortune
        • Behold the Christ
        • The Justice of God
        • Tides of the Soul
        Container: Box/Folder 7/17
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: "The Lord's Prayer (7 Sessions)"
        Container: Box/Folder 7/18
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Love of God
        • A Song of Faith
        • God Aid the Nation
        • Tomorrow May Be Too Late
        • The Faith That Drives Out Fear
        Container: Box/Folder 7/19
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Christian Meaning of Greatness
        • A Changing World – a Changeless God
        • God's Blueprint
        Container: Box/Folder 7/20
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • Our Changing World
        • Christianity International
        • The Cost of Discipleship
        • Day of Decision
        • He is Risen
        • The Christian Meaning of Greatness
        • Remember God
        • You Get Back What You Give
        • Why I Am a Protestant
        • The Greatest Commandment of All
        • The Meaning of Christmas
        Container: Box/Folder 7/21
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • Pressing Forward
        • Yesterday, Today, and Forever
        • I Believe in God (Preached by Rev. Clarence Polhemus)
        • I Believe in the Holy Spirit
        • I Believe in Prayer
        • I Believe in the Church
        • I Believe in Forgiveness
        • Why Psalm Sunday?
        • The Meaning of Easter
        • The Law of Life
        • The Love of God
        • The Dangerous Christ
        • The Peace of God
        • The Church and the Home
        • America's Favorite Hymn
        • Unconscious Influence
        Container: Box/Folder 7/22
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • In God We Trust
        • The Gospel of the Kingdom
        • Wake Up and Live
        • Quit Apologizing
        • You Are Important to God
        • The World is yours
        • Is preaching worthwhile?
        • Is belief important?
        • Compassion is our business
        • Don't cut off the buttons
        • Thanks for nothing!
        • How secure are you?
        • What's in a name?
        • God's Word and God's World
        Container: Box/Folder 7/23
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • What are people looking for?
        • Faith to Love By
        • Freedom through the Truth
        • Risking All for a Cause
        • Let go and let God
        • What's for real?
        • God is alive
        Container: Box/Folder 7/24
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Pendulum is swinging back
        • Dare to be patriotic
        Container: Box/Folder 7/25
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Problem of Sin
        • The Relevancy of the Church
        • Explosiveness of the Church
        • His Cross and My Life
        • Forgive and we forgive
        • Breakthrough in Korea (Preached by Dr. Samuel Moffett)
        Container: Box/Folder 7/26
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Problem of Sin
        • Jesus Christ, All or Nothing
        • Hanging Back
        • The Highs and Lows of Faith
        • Our Changing World (Preached at Tacoma, WA)
        Container: Box/Folder 7/27
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
      • Description: Sermons
        • The Law of Life
        • The Day That Changed the World
        • Is belief important (Preached at Woodland, WA)?
        • The Day That Changed the World (Woodland, WA)
        Container: Box/Folder 7/28
        Location: Addenda / Moody, Rev. Dr. Raymond W.
    • Description: Echo Organ Placement Scheme: Architedctural Drawing
      Dates: 1959 March 14
      Container: Box/Folder 8/1
      Location: Addenda

    • Congregation

Finding aid prepared by H. W. Johnston
2007

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