DRAFT
A HISTORY OF THE STONE TOWER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Elders Isaac D. Van Horn (1834-1910) and Alonzo Trévier Jones had held meetings in and about Portland for some time, and had a nucleus of believers who were meeting on the West Side in Portland, and at Powell Valley. Elder Van Horn left for the East and A. T. Jones for California, the work went to pieces in Portland and Powell Valley.
March 17, 1881 the Burden family arrived in Portland on April 2, 1881, a Sabbath School was organized that still continues, and is now known as Stone Tower S.D.A. Sabbath School. It was then called the East Portland Sabbath School. They met in the home of Brother William Atkins on H Street (now S.E. Ash) between 15th and 16th Avenues. This house is still standing (Sept. 19, 1959). Those forming this Sabbath School were Mr. & Mrs. McCoon, Mr. & Mrs. William Atkins, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Atkins, Mrs. Julia Burden, W. D. Burden, Mrs. Martha Myers, Mrs. Kistler and three or four children. Soon these were joined by others, and in the autumn they rented a hall down on what is now S. E. Washington St.–doubtless just west of Grand Avenue. That winter Elder C. L. Boyd came to Oregon and settled in Salem, later moving to Portland.
In 1883 these believers built a church on G Street (S.E. Ankeny) just the second door east of Tenth Avenue on the north side of the street (map). This lot was leased for ten years (the President of the Conference feeling that the Lord would come before that lease expired). A man named Dodge, who owned the house where they first began meetings, had accepted the faith, and he and Henry Atkins led out in the work of building the church.
The lease expired in 1893, and it was necessary to make some other arrangements, as the owners were unwilling to renew. T. H. Starbuck was appointed to lead out in the work of financing and building the new church. He secured a gift from Mrs. Josephine Gotzian of a quarter block at the corner of what is now N.E Eleventh Ave. and Everett St. Pledges were made heavily by the comparatively few members in the church at the time, and plans were drawn up for the building. When submitted to the General Conference brethren they advised that the plans were far too small–Portland would always be a center of our work, and they must build with the future in view. So the plans were practically doubled, and what became known as Central church building was erected–however, without the balcony, but so deslgned as to have a balcony added later. This enlargement of plans was not effected without strong opposition on the part of some of the believers. Just as work was begun on the building, the panic of 1893 struck, and some of those who had made large pledges were broken up in business so that they were never able to meet their obligations. Others met them at the cost of poverty and sacrifice for years afterward. This still left the church in debt about a thousand dollars, and for years at every conference session, instead of taking steps to raise the money and clear the debt, the consituency contented themselves with laying blame upon the builder for erecting such a large building—while at the same time, making use of every inch of its space! The building was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars, and every cent of lt had been pledged before work began; but of course no one could at that time anticipate the financial crisis and the effect it would have upon these pledges. Much of the labor was donated and besides, the panic helped them in one way–it reduced cost of materials and also of labor in masonry.
Years afterward, largely through the influence of Dr. Holden, the congregation who were at that time enjoying the privileges of the building without having been taxed to provide it, were finally induced to shoulder the responsibility for putting it out of debt.
Today, Old Central church is called the “Mother Church,” because practically every congregation in the city was started by a nucleus from the membership of Central. The building was remodeled and renovated from time to time, but no additions were ever made to it, with the exception of putting in the balcony and adding to the capacity of one of the baptismal rooms.
The pioneers built wisely and well. For over half a century Old Central testified to God’s great Truth, however, marks of age and passing of time began to make inroads upon the once sturdy old building. Costs of necessary repairs would be almost prohibitive. The once spacious and commodious building was crowded in spite of large churches being organized from her membership. The years, too, had changed the neighborhood. What had once been a lovely, quiet, park-like site among the tall firs had now become a busy, crowded, industrial area. Obviously, the time had come for launching forth again!
Under the leadership of Elder G.T. Dickinson, a fund-raising campaign was conducted and the quarter block comprising the present parking lot was purchased as the new site for New Central. For a time, nothing further was done. Elder Wesley Unterseher, almost immediately upon his arrival, launched a vigorous program to meet the great need. At this time, the Oregon Conference offered to collaborate with the congregation to construct and furnish a combined church and evangelistic center. A half block was purchased at Holladay and N.E. 30th, just off Sandy Blvd. The homes were moved off and the Stone Tower was erected.
During campmeeting of 1953 the physical move was made from Old Central to the Stone Tower. The first service in the new building was held the first Sabbath following campmeeting.
On Sabbath, Sept, 26, 1953 the congregation stood and sang, “The Church Has One Foundation, ‘Tis Jesus Christ Her Lord.” On that day, the edifice was dedicated “to the Glory of God; to the honor of Jesus, the Son of the Living God; and to the praise of the Holy Spirit, the source of Light.” It was consecrated “for the proclamation of God’s Word; for the celebration of the Holy Ordinances; for the ministry of sacred music; and for the worship of the Triune God.” Elder Wesley Unterseher conducted the service. Elder L.K. Dickson preached the dedicatory sermon. Elders V.G. Anderson, R. Allen Anderson, L.E. Biggs, C.A. Scriven, and I.J. Woodman assisted in the service.
Two major evangelistic campaigns were conducted in the new Center. These were presented by Elder R. Allen Anderson, and Elder Stanley Harris.
Now the name of the church became a matter for consideration. Since Central Church occupied the building known as Stone Tower there was considerable confusion in the minds of many in the city. On April 6, 1957 the congregation balloted, and by an overwhelming majority, voted to change the official name of the church from Central to the Stone Tower Church of Seventh-day Adventists.
Though the location was different; though many new members now worshipped with the congregation; though the building was new and modern; though the name was changed, the spirit of Old Central was not dead. Her thoughts turned forward to great exploits for God.
The Stone Tower demonstrated that even in a very modern building in the mid-20th Century a church can still pioneer for God. Following the Vacation Bible School in 1956 the church, under the leadership of Brother and Sister Byron Sweeney, launched a Sabbath School Bus Program. For six months a bus was rented from Portland Union Academy. Then the church purchased her own bus. The program prospered so abundantly that in another year a second bus was purchased. At the present time (Sept. 19, 1959) 60 to 65 children from nonmember homes come to Sabbath School each week on these buses.
Down through the years, Stone Tower (Old Central) has been a mighty power in the Cause of God. She is the mother church of Portland. Hundreds have been baptized into her fellowship. Thousands have been touched by her mininstry. Millions of dollars have been poured in the Cause of God by her membership. She is a great church with a rich history. The Spirit of God has burned in her pulpit; strong leaders have borne had standard; consecrated Godly Christians have comprised her membership. She has done a might work for eternity:
(The first section of this history is quoted from Miss Edith Starbuck’s story “The Beginnings at Portland.” Following those quotes is history as written by Pastor Jerry Lien 6/12/52
Gleaner – October 26 1959
Home-coming Day at the Stone Tower Church Over eighty-one years of proclaiming the Advent Truth in the Portland area was celebrated on Home-coming Sabbath, September 19. The Stone Tower, Portland’s first church, had its beginnings in a private residence as a Sabbath school in 1878. It has met as a church group in four locations and was for many years called The Central Church. Today this church is housed in the beautiful and modern Stone Tower building, a landmark in Portland, just off Sandy Boulevard. Its present membership is 711. Several of the Adventist churches of the city were formed from “Old Central” when groups swarmed to form a new nucleus.
This zealous and energetic church has held high the light of Truth in Portland for these many years and looks forward to a glorious future of great accomplishments for God.
The morning service on Homecoming Day featured a consecration service in which those present rededicated themselves to the faith, the hope, the courage, and the zeal of the early Portland Adventist pioneers. The clerk’s records show the names of twenty-one people who have held membership consecutively for 35 years or more in this fellowship; and thirty-nine whose membership has been in this church for 25 years or more. Mrs. Edla Nordstrom who attends regularly has belonged to the Stone Tower Church for fifty years.
The afternoon service of “Memories and Challenges” was highlighted by a mystery unveiling and closed with a moving torch-passing ceremony. In presenting the mystery unveiling, Max Staley told briefly the story of how he and William Gardner had gone to old Central Church building just before it was demolished. They looked for something to keep from this historic old building. It was decided that the Ten Commandment window from the front of the church should be removed and carefully preserved. This beautiful window, now valued at $1,500, was cleverly formed in a metal box with electrical wiring lighting up the glass with a special circle of light behind the Fourth Commandment. The window remained draped during the first part of the home-coming program and was dramatically unveiled as William Gardner pulled the cord that dropped the hangings.
The members of the church looked back on September 19 to a historic past, portrayed in an elaborate exhibit planned and executed by Mrs. William Gardner. They welcomed back for the day two of their former pastors, Elders Pettit and Ernston, as well as many former members. They pledged to uphold the Light of Truth as symbolized in the torch-passing ceremony in which young and strong men and women moved ahead with youthful strength and energy.
May God continue to bless the Stone Tower Church as these people who make up her membership, bound by cords of brotherly love and with a true missionary spirit, present the message of the third angel in this, our day.
Pastor Jerry Lien
- https://nwadventists.com/news/2006/12/charles-l-boyd-taking-adventism-puget-sound
- https://nwadventists.com/news/2006/07/alonzo-t-jones-indian-fighter-adventist-preacher
- https://nwadventists.com/news/2006/11/missionary-family-northwest-isaac-and-adelia-van-horn
- https://www.nps.gov/labe/learn/historyculture/modoc-war.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/labe/learn/historyculture/index.htm
- https://adventistreview.org/issue-archives/page-2013/page-9131528/2013-1528-p21/
- https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/RH/RH20131010-V190-28.pdf
- https://mentonechurch.org/blog/2022/10/26/alonzo-jones
- https://www.historylink.org/File/9014
Pastors of Central Church
1911 G. W. Pettit. Retired in Vancouver, Wash., after mission serVice.
1914 M. H. St. John. Retired in Southern California.
1919 Louis K. Dickson. Vice President, General Conference, Washington, D. C.
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/dickson,-louis-k
1920 Elder Hayward. (Deceased)
1922 A. R. Bell. (Deceased).
1925 Taylor G. Bunch. Retired, Washington, D.C.
1927 George Seltzer. (Deceased).
1930 Paul Campbell. Pastor Burbank, California Church.
1933 A. G. Walker.
1934 A. J. Rippey. (Deceased).
1935 J. L. Tucker. Retired recently to California.
1938 N. C. Ernsten. Retired in Portland, Oregon.
1941 George Seltzer. (Deceased).
1942 A. D. Bohn. Conference work in Southeastern California.
1943 Hal Willoughy. (Deceased).
1947 G. T. Dickinson. Pastor Loma Linda Hill Church, California.
1949 A. J. Gordon. President Idaho Conference.
1950 W. 1. Unterseher. Pastor Eugene. Oregon.
1956 Jerry Lien. Present Pastor.
Moved to Stone Tower
