An Overview of the History of the

First Congregational Church of Wasco

     In 1884, over a decade before the Wasco Colony was opened to the settlers in 1907, “a small group of people, moved with the desire to worship God and live in the light of His Will, met together in the old Robertson schoolhouse, a mile north of Famosa, to establish a church.  This became the First Congregational Church of Wasco.  The first ministerial leadership of the church was provided by a Dr. A. E. Johnson of Rosedale who came to the church at stated intervals.”[1]

     For over ten years this pioneer church met in local schoolhouses.  “First in the Shamrock school on the old Root Ranch some five miles northeast of Wasco.  When that school consolidated with the Wasco school, the founding fathers moved their church into town,”[2]  meeting in the schoolhouse near the Santa Fe railroad between 8^th & 9^th Streets.  Beginning in 1907, these worship services were shared by “the Congregationalists and Methodists, alternating the Sunday services.”[3] 

On June 8^th, 1907, the First Congregational Church was incorporated under the leadership of Reverend A. L. Knudsen.  “M. V. Hartranft who was responsible for the founding of Wasco gave the Congregational and Methodist people each five acres for a church site.”[4]

     In 1909, under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Hanna, a “grant-loan was received from the Congregational Building Society of New York to build a church.”[5]  Using the funds from this loan and the generous gifts from its membership and “the colonists in the surrounding area”[6], volunteer labor erected the first church building in Wasco at the northwest corner of F and 9^th Streets.  The first services were held there on September 6^th, 1909.

     “In the spring of 1912, part of the five acres was sold to build a parsonage.”[7]  As the church grew, further financial assistance was solicited and received from “the Missionary Board of the Congregational Conference.”[8]  With these funds and more generous gifts from its membership, in 1920 the church purchased property on the northeast corner of 7^th & Broadway, known today as the “Broadway Facility”. 

In 1925, a new parsonage was built just north of this site at 638 Broadway, most recently known as the “Resource Center” and now the location of the church offices.  The old parsonage was sold and the profit saved for the future church building on 7^th & Broadway.  In 1931, another team of volunteer laborers began construction on the new church building.  It took a year to build “one of the most beautiful examples of architecture in Wasco.”[9]  On February 1^st, 1931 the new building was dedicated and first occupied.  Remarkably, through the midst of the “Great Depression”, the church thrived and paid off all its debt by 1941.[10]

     In 1950, a building project on the east end of the church building was completed which added classrooms known today as the “Rainbow Room” and “Old Nursery.”  Ten years later, in 1960, another building project was completed which added classrooms and offices known today as the “Nursery” and “Toddlers Room,” as well as the Conference Room, and the former Church and Pastor’s office.  Between 1950 and 1998, the sanctuary has been remodeled on several occasions, including multiple changes to the choir loft and platform. Between 1958 and 1965, the landmark stained-glass windows were added.  In 1957, the parsonage was remodeled.  The parsonage was last used as pastoral housing in 1990, at which time is was transformed into use as a “Youth Center.”

     In the late 1960’s a shift in the agenda of the National Congregational Conference raised concerns.  Before long it was discovered that this denominational body “was interested more in national politics and world affairs than in Christ’s teaching; it was a purely social gospel.”[11]  At the annual meeting in 1969, the church agreed to “a year of study” regarding the recommendation to withdraw from the National Congregational Conference.  At the annual meeting in 1970, the church officially voted to withdraw from both denominational bodies, the United Church of Christ and the National Congregational Conference.

     In 1970, Pastor Louis C. Turner’s resignation took effect and later that year, John C. McClure was called as the church’s 27^th pastor, the first “post-denomination” pastor.  Pastors following since have been Larry Correll (1976-78), Bob Crombie (1978-84), Phil Noordmans (1984-94), and Mike Bradley (1994-2007).

     After more than a year of prayer and discussion, in April of 2002, the First Baptist Church of Wasco agreed that God was bringing the ministry of that local church to a close.  Included in this decision was the offer to join with the ministry of the First Congregational Church.  This offer included all facilities, finances, ministries and minister.  In May of 2002, the First Congregational Church agreed to accept this gracious offer and embrace the members and ministries of First Baptist Church.  Pastor Jim Wheeler served as Pastor of Family and Care Ministries until 2007. 

     After years of prayer and discussion, on December 1^st, 2002, the First Congregational Church agreed to change its name to Grace Community Church of Wasco.  On January 5^th, 2003 we formally dedicated this new name.  It is our prayer that we honor the nearly 100 years of ministry already accomplished by this local church, and glorify the Ancient of Days who is the Head of this church.