rallied and prosecuted the work with such vigor that the building was completed
and dedicated June 15, 1851. Revs. George H. Atkinson, J. S. Griffin and Har-
vey Clark assisted Mr. Lyman in the dedication ceremonies. The building was
32x48 feet in dimensions, had a belfry and a small spire, and cost $6,400. Mr.
Lyman was pastor for four years and a half, when he removed to Dallas. For
a year and a half thereafter Rev. George H. Atkinson officiated as pastor, but
continued during this period to reside at Oregon City. In November, 1855,
Rev. P. B. Chamberlain was installed pastor. During his pastorate, which cov-
ered a period of over five years, a large number of the congregation withdrew
to form another Congregational church, as had been the case during Mr. Ly-
man's pastorate, but both movements vv^ere unsuccessful. When Mr. Chamber-
lain's labors closed in March, 1862, the church was in a very weak condition,
and for more than a year thereafter was without a settled pastor.
In July, 1863, Rev. George H. Atkinson became pastor, and under his labors many were added to the church. In 1870, the old house of worship became too small for the congregation, and the church building that for many years stood on the corner of Second and Jefferson streets, was begun. It was finished in the following year and first used on August 6, 1871. During the labors of Dr. At- kinson, which continued until December, 1872, the church made substantial prog- ress, and was placed on a firm basis.
Dr. Atkinson was followed by Rev. J. D. Eaton, who remained until May, 1876, when he resigned to enter another field. For a year and a half thereafter. Rev. J. H. Acton of the Methodist church, supplied the pulpit. In April, 1877, Rev. J. A. Cruzan became pastor. He was succeeded by Frederick R. Marvin in 1883, who remained there some years, when Rev. T. E. Clapp assumed charge of the congregation.
During Dr. Atkinson's pastorate, Plymouth Church congregation was organ- ized, in 1871, and soon after the present church building on the corner of Four- teenth and E streets was erected. For some years Dr. Atkinson officiated at both churches, but in 1880 Rev. E. P. Baker assumed charge of the Plymouth congregation. The latter remained but a short time, and since that time the fol- lowing pastors have been stationed at different times over this church : Revs. E. R. Loomis, George H. Lee, George H. Atkinson and Ezra Haskell, and Rev. C. T. Whittlesey.
The Mount Zion Congregational church was also established through the efforts of the members of the First church. It was organized in 1879, ^^'^ <^'"i'" ing its early existence was almost wholly dependent on the First church.
THE EPISCOPALIANS.
The first Episcopal clergyman who came to Oregon was the Rev. St. M. Fackler. He crossed the plains in the year 1847, '^^ search of health. The first services of the church, of which we have any record, were held by him in Oregon City, in 1847. His health continuing poor, however, he made no effort to estab- lish anywhere any stated services or to organize a parish.
It was not until 185 1 that any definite steps were taken by the church in the east to send a missionary to Oregon. In April of that year. Rev. William Rich- mond, of the diocese of New York, was sent to Oregon, and on Sunday, May 18, together with Mr. Fackler, he held services in the Methodist house of wor- ship in Portland. Some ideas of the newness of the country and of the hard- ships endured by the missionares at that time may be gathered from the follow- ing extract from a letter written by Mr. Richmond shortly after his arrival in Portland : 'T occupy a room in a shanty, merely clapboards, quite open to the air. with a rough, unplaned, ungrooved floor, no carpets, no plastering, no ceil- ing. For this I pay twelve dollars a month, three dollars (fifteen was the price) having been deducted on account of my mission. I also do my own cooking,
