Stiverson Church

(1898 -1929?)

The Gospel Messenger   Aug., 13, 1898 page 509

Lyle. -  Wife and I arrived here June 3.  I have been laboring in this field since then, holding services each Sunday at different points, and working on our new church building during the week. We will soon have the house completed.  We have decided to hold our Communion on Saturdays, Aug. 3, commencing at 7 P. M. And to dedicate the church Aug., 14, at 11 A. M.  Our house is a frame building, 20x30, with thirteen foot ceiling. It is the first brethren church in the State of Washington.  The name of the new church is “Stiverson.”  We have not organized here yet, the members here hold their membership in the Oysterville church.  To-day, July 31, 23 preach in the Presbyterian church at Glenwood.  At the close of the forenoon service we went to the water, where a main and his wife were baptized in he presence of a large congregation.  We new have ten members residing in this County.  We have a Sunday school here with Bro. J. B. Simmons, Superintendent, and Sister Castle, Assistant.  We use the Brethren’s Quarterlies, - J. U. G. Stiverson July 31, Wash

The Gospel Messenger  Sept. 3, 1898

Stiverson - Our love feast was a pleasant one.  Aug. 13, 15 11 A. M., we met at the waterside, where three souls were buried with Christ in baptism.  At 5:30 P.M., the same day we met to organize the church.  Two deacons, -brethren J.B. Simmons and C. Castle wee duly elected and installed.  At 7 P.M. we met for love feast service.  We were very agreeable surprised, a few days before the feast, by having Eld. P. S. Myers and wife to come into our midst.  Bro. Myers officiated at the love feast and had charge of the organization.  Seventeen members communed.  We organized with fourteen member enrolled.  The next day we met at 11 A.M., to dedicate the new church.  The writer preaching the dedicatory sermon.  We met again at 2 P. M., and enjoyed a soul-cheering sermon by Eld. Myers.  Wife and I expect to return home to Oysterville some time next week. - J. U. G. Stiverson Lyle, Wash. Aug. 15    

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 11, 1899 page 70

 From Oregon and Washington

According to arrangements made by the elders of this District, Bro. David Eby and the writer met in council in the Stiverson church, Klickitat County, Wash., Oct. 14. As their churchhouse was burned the night of Sept. 11, the council was at the home of Sister Anderson.  The business of the meeting was soon disposed of.  Bro. J. B. Simmons was called to the ministry, and Bro. S. J. Quesinberry to the office of Deacon.  Bro. J. U. G. Stiverson, who has been laboring in the Washington mission field over two and a half years, was also advanced to the full ministry.  The installation services were impressive.  Bro. Eby having had the oversight of this congregation, request the church to relieve him of this charge.  The church then chose Bro. Stiverson as their elder.  It was also decide to rebuild their meetinghouse, in which they show much love and zeal for the Master.

  Three and a half years ago the writer, while in the Washington mission field, learned that there were seven members in that County, and by their help we were able to visit then and preach to them the Word of Life.  One was baptized the, who now is a deacon.  The next spring we again visited them wife being with us.  We held a love feast at the home of Bro. J. B. Simmons, who was then baptized, and now called to the ministry.  Bro. and Sister Stiverson have since been working at this place part of the time, and God has blessed their work by the ingathering of souls.

  While the country is thinly settled, yet by earnest work much can be done for Christ.  Brother and Sister Stiverson have been instructed by the Mission Board to now make their head-quarters at North Yakima. Bro. Eby came about 120 miles, from Sunnyside, with his team to help move then.  Oct. 18 they started north to their new field of labor, and the writer and wife sough to our new mission station, at Newberg, Oregon, where we have arrived safely and writer this sketch of work done in the West.     Geo. C. Carl.  Newberg, Oregon, Oct. 21

The Gospel Messenger May 29, 1915 page 357 Vol. 64 No. 22

STIVERSON, WASHINGTON.

About twenty years ago several families of our members from Virginia settled in this country, and took up homesteads. But, having no minister, the Mission Board of Oregon, Washington and Idaho sent Bro. J. U, G. Stiverson (now of Sterling, ILL.) to effect an organization. At that time Bro. John Simmons was elected to the ministry. They erected a little meetinghouse, which was soon destroyed by fire. However, with I lie help of the Brethren, and -the untiring efforts of Bro. Stiverson, another churchhouse was built, and for several years regular services were held there. When Bro. Stiverson was called to other fields, Bro. M. F. Woods, now of Centralia, Wash, moved into the congregation and assisted Bro. Simmons in preach the Word.

   Some years later a lumber company came here. Then most of the Brethren sold their homesteads, and moved to Comas Prairie. Under (he leadership of Bro. Woods, they erected another churchhouse, where we now worship, The Brethren still own the other meetinghouse, but have held no regular services there for several years. A family, living near the church, requested us to hold some services there. So last Sunday, after our services here in the morning, and eating our lunch, a party of twenty-four started to go to that place. Although it was raining very hard when we started, yet no one turned back. When we arrived at the church, we found quite a number assembled to hear the Gospel Story. Deep interest was manifested in the service. Rro. Wagner used as his text Rom. 1: 16. At present there arc more people living near Ibis church than for some time past. Bro. Simmons will endeavor to hold regular services.

Caddie Wagner   Laurel, Wash., May 15.