A Downtown Church Outgrows Its 1856 Home

Church News: Preparations are being quietly made to erect the new Methodist church on the corner of Fifth and Adams streets, on the property secured by the M. E. society last fall as a result of certain real estate transactions. Modifications have been made in the plans adopted some time ago that will result in the saving of considerable ground and a marked improvement in the appearance of the edifice. The new plans were suggested by the present pastor, Rev. F. E. Drake, and were accepted by the quarterly conference at a meeting held two weeks ago. Estimates have been made on the cost of the material, and negotiations are now pending for lumber, etc. It is quite probable the work will be done by the day under the supervision of a competent superintendent whose name will be revealed later. The plans now accepted bring the building into a more compact form, with a larger frontage on Adams street than before. The parsonage will be on the north. A strip of land about 30 feet wide will be left vacant on the west. The need of the Methodist society for a new and more commodious building is something that cannot be disputed. Large congregations greet Rev. Drake morning and evening, while the Sunday school, under the energetic management of R. A. Ford, is gradually increasing in numbers.

In 1856 the present church edifice was erected on the corner of Fourth and Adams streets. Rev. J. F. Devore, a pioneer of wonderful physique, with the courage of his convictions, sagacious and energetic, was foremost in the enterprise. Old citizens of Olympia will recall the incidents of the undertaking. Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Biglow, of this city, and Mrs. Wright, of Independence, were among the first to join the infant church, and the former are still members of this society, honored and useful.

Mrs. Ruddell, Mr. and Mrs. Lansdale, and Mrs. Judge Sparks are among the oldest members of the church, ripe in years and full of good works. The church has been served by some of the ablest men on the coast, and from the start took front rank in all lines of church work. Too much cannot be said in praise of the pioneer element of the church; all honor to them! And such men as Thomas Pruther, who though not a member of the church labored with zeal and liberality for its interests, are entitled to great credit. The church has grown from a few to a membership of nearly 375. Rev. F. E. Drake, the present pastor, is a gentleman of ripe experience and rare scholarship. He is very logical in his preaching and clinches all his arguments with appropriate scriptural authority. Mr. Drake will personally supervise the general work of the new building.