the Community of Christ - · PDF filethe Community of Christ title : RECORD OF THE RICHLAND ... Bill Miller; treasurer, ... Leaguers have really put over the plan for raising

Inland West USA Mission Center

Richland (WA) Congregation

1 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

the Community of Christ title : RECORD OF THE RICHLAND (WA) BRANCH - volume 1

source : various

author : various

editor : Gunter, Wayne L.

date : 1955-01-01 to present

file date : 2011-11-02 (revised)

description of work: A record of the Richland (WA) Congregation of the Community of Christ, and its

members, from 1955 to the present.

1940-1949

1950-1959

(Spokane District “Telegram” January 1955)

Richland Branch

Reported by Jack Reninger

Bishop Monte Lasater spoke to the Richland

group, Sunday evening, November 28. On the

30th of the same month, Evangelist William

Patterson was the guest speaker.

Handel‟s “Messiah” was presented by the

Independence Messiah Choir over Kennewick‟s

station, KWIE, where we also broadcast Evan

Fry‟s sermons.

(Spokane District “Telegram” March 1, 1955)

Richland Branch


The District conclave of January 7, 8 and 9 was

certainly a success by every standard. The

Richland group wants to thank everyone who

came, and can only say, “Let‟s do it again, and the

girls will bake some more of that delicious cake

and pastries.”

February 15, there was a church birthday party for

all members, who provided the entertainment in

groups according to what month their birthdays

were in. Refreshments were provided by each

family according to their number.

Brother and Sister Lewis D. Larsen celebrated

their golden wedding anniversary this month, on

the 21, at their home (3919 S.W. Cullen, Portland,

Oregon). They cannot get out to visit, but they

would certainly like to see their friends or hear

from them. They were members of the

Hagerman, Idaho, Branch for a good many years.

Within a few days after District Conference,

Seventy Aleah Koury will hold a missionary

series at the Richland Branch. He plans to be in

the Pasco-Richland area for two weeks.

(Spokane District “Telegram” July 1, 1955)

General Church Contributions

from Spokane District

for the year 1954

A. C. Lawrence, Bishop’s Agent

(Spokane District “Telegram” December 1955)

Richland Branch


The following are recent new members of our

branch, and we would like to introduce them to

the district: Katherine T. Berwick, Freddy

*******

Richland

tithes

general offerings

Christmas/birthday offerings

oblation

Auditorium

Sanitarium

Graceland College

Total

- $ 3,036.15

- .76

- 65.29

- 190.71

- 154.39

- 26.45

- 40.72

- $ 3,514.47



2 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

McFall, Kathy Whiting, Dorothy Wolford and

Harold Koehler.

Our new appointed and elected officers for the

year are as follows: pastor, Mel Crownover;

counselors, Matt Crownover and Carl Hammel;

church school director, Clyde Landry; Zion‟s

League leader, Carlos Crownover; book steward,

Bill Miller; treasurer, William Cox; branch

missionary, Lloyd Whiting; music director,

Crystal Crownover; branch solicitor, Jim

Lorenzen; branch director, Jack Reninger; junior

pastor, Billy Cox; head deacon and custodian,

Wally McDermott; auditor, Al Vosmer; social

director, Lillian Whiting; and flower chairman,

Pat Klusman.

October 2 was Promotion Sunday with the

teachers and pupils reviewing an outline of the

past year‟s work. That evening, there was a

candlelight service for the installation of officers

for the branch.

(Spokane District “Telegram” April 1956)

Richland


The Emma Smith Circle had a gay Valentine

party at Ruby Crownover‟s home.

Guest speakers for our group, recently, have been

Elder Dick Bullard, pastor of the Pasco Mission,

Seventy George Njeim and Elder Robert Bailey.

It was an added blessing, and a very pleasant

surprise, to see Bishop Monte Lasater with us at

the conference after his illness. Richland would

like to thank all who were able to come and make

the conference a success, and we could say, as

Evangelist Frank Curtis testified, “God has been

so good to us.”

At a recent business meeting, there was a standing

vote of thanks given to Priest Aaron Smith who

had contracted to build pews for the Richland

Church at a very reasonable price. May God

continue to bless him in his work, is our

prayer.

February 26, Kenneth Max Hohenberg, infant son

of Paul and Janice Hohenberg, was blessed by

Branch President Mel Crownover and Elder Carl

Hammel. On the same day, Tom and Betty

Bessinette were baptized by Evangelist Lloyd

Whiting. He and Elder James Lorenzen

confirmed them members. They are friends of

Sister Faircloth of Pendleton, Oregon, which is

also their home town.

(Spokane District “Telegram” June 1956)

Richland


The missionary series in Richland, by our beloved

George Njeim, brought us a new member. We

would like to introduce to the district, Sister Della

La Rock of Richland.

Two institutes were held here on May 5 & 6.

Zion‟s League and Women‟s Department met

under the leadership of Evelyn Hight, Marvin Cox

and Paul Crinzi. The joint theme was, “Preparing

for the Task.” Saturday evening, the Richland

women gave a banquet and the Richland men

turned waiters for the evening.

Brother & Sister Jack Reninger announced the

engagement of their daughter, Sandra, to Gary K.

Whiting, son of Brother & Sister Lloyd Whiting

of Richland. Sandra graduates from High School

in June and Gary in now in the [U.S.] Navy. No

definite date is set for the wedding.

(Spokane District “Telegram” August 1956)

Richland


We are exceptionally proud of our new pews

which were constructed by Priest Aaron Smith.

He soon will have finished, also, a matching

communion table. Our many thanks to Aaron for

a truly fine job which will be enjoyed by the

Saints for years to come.

Mr. McCubbins and Sr. McCubbins of Touche,

Wash., had their daughters Garlene and Liene

blessed in the Richland Church by Elder Lloyd

Whiting and Elder James Lorenzen, recently.

Elder Carlos Crownover and his Zion‟s



3 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

Leaguers have really put over the plan for raising

money for Camp Econe expenses. They raised

$63.00 on their bake sale and then had a carnival

which raised $91.00. From every report of the

Leaguers, Econe was a success in every way,

thanks to some fine leadership.

We have been privileged to hear the following

guest speakers of later: Seventy James Daugherty

and Apostle Paul Hanson.

Recent branch officers elected are as follows:

Branch President, A.M. Crownover; Church

School Director, Evelyn Hight; Zion‟s League

Leader, Carlos Crownover; Secretary, Mildred

Cox; Treasurer, Marvin Cox; Auditor, Alfred

Vosmer; Publicity Director, J.J. Reninger; Social

Chairman, Lillian Whiting; Recorder, Mildred

Cox; Historian, Carol Berwick; Solicitor, Jim

Lorenzen; Book Steward, William Miller.

(Spokane District “Telegram” October 1956)

REPORTS AROUND THE DISTRICT

Richland


Elisia Nadine, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Vernon Bradley, was blessed July 29th by Elders

James Lorenzen and Carlos Crownover. They

reside at Hermiston, Ore.

Dick Hammel was ordained to the office of Priest

on Aug. 8th by his father, Elder Carl Hammel,

and Arthur M. Crownover.

Sandra Leigh Hight, daughter of Harold and

Evelyn Hight, was married on the 25th of Aug. to

William Lee Clow of Ond., Mo., by Elder Robert

Taylor at the Englewood church. They are living

in Lawrence, Kan., and William is attending

Kansas University. May God bless their union.

Paula Jean, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Calvin C. Walker, was blessed Sept. 9 by Elders

L.A. Whiting and Carl Hammel. They reside at

Mesa, Washington.

On Sept. 11, the women‟s group enjoyed, as their

guest speaker, Seventy James Daugherty. He

spoke on women‟s responsibilities as they pertain

to the church and their families.

Sister Minnie May Atchison, beloved member of

our group and mother of Mildred Cox, passed

away on Sept. 19 at Independence, Mo. She was

born Oct. 12, 1870, in Terre Haute, Ind., and was

a faithful member of the church for 62 years. She

leaves four daughters, five sons, and 26

grandchildren. The funeral was held at Cameron,

Mo., on Sept. 23.

Bro. Robert Schuyler is a new addition to our

group and he is a teacher in the Aaronic order and

also a 6th grade teacher in our school. We are

proud to have him with us. He is from Billings,

Montana.

During the month of September, we have been

ministered to, with our friends, by missionaries

James Daugherty, Wm. Haden, and Forrest

Myers. They have held cottage meetings five

nights a week in our homes and we pray God will

bless them in their diligence.

As our guest speakers, we are honored to have

Seventy James Daugherty, Seventy Wm. Haden,

and Seventy Kenneth Fisher.

SPECIAL FROM RICHLAND

Forrest Myers

At this writing, we are bringing to a close the

missionary effort at Richland, Washington, which

began Sunday, September 2.

Seventy James Daugherty has put into action here

each one of the teams of missionaries. We have

been holding meetings of three or four lecture

series with a meeting in each home once a week

for four weeks. We have told the gospel story to

more than one hundred non-member friends in

Richland, Pasco, and Walla Walla, and in nearly

every instance our story has met with good

response and real interest has been evidenced.

There will be some baptisms Sunday, September

30 closing this series, but more than this, we feel

assured that through the follow-up of this series

by the fine group of local priesthood here that

many more of those who have been so contacted



4 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

will be brought into the fold.

(Spokane District “Telegram” December 1956)

Richland

Reported by Jack (J.J.) Reninger

We have a new member to introduce to the

district. She is Lidia Bosley of North Richland

and formerly of Germany. She was baptized in

the Richland font on September 30 by Elder Dick

Bullard.

We had a very successful “Home State” family

night on October 26 with excellent food and

entertainment. It was sponsored by the Women‟s

Department.

We had a wonderful time on November 16 at the

Church School Family Night which was called an

“Old-Fashion Harvest Dinner.” It was presided

over by a couple of old-fashioners, Harold and

Evelyn Hight, with entertainment by the local

hicks.

We were privileged to have Bishop Ted Beck as a

guest speaker on October 24. He was

accompanied by the light of his life, Sunshine.

On the 26 he held a special meeting for the

priesthood and their wives. The Pasco group was

invited and all were edified by his class to greater

unity in the family and the joint responsibility of

bringing forth a better ministry to all of God‟s

children.

(Spokane District “Telegram” April 1957)

Richland


In the past month we have enjoyed the ministry of

Lee Abramson, Paul Crinzi, and Robert Bailey.

Evangelist Monte Lasater was with us for a busy

week starting March 13.

The Priesthood Institute was very successful in

every respect and should be a blessing to the

people in the days to come, if we heed the

message of the spirit that was here with us. We

surely enjoyed having the priesthood here and

their ministry.

We would like the district to know Laura Foster,

of North Richland, who is a new member to our

group.

Elder Harold Hight united in marriage Sr. Oma

Piert and Mr. Vern Westhright, both of

Kennewick, Wash. Fay Reninger sang “Oh

Promise Me.” The happy couple was married in

the home of Mr. Westhright‟s sister in

Kennewick.

The young sons of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Bush, Ferris

and Michael, were blessed on the evening of

March 24 by Elder H.C. Hight and Elder A.M.

Crownover.

Brother Andrew M. Peterson passed away on

March 12. He leaves his wife, Sister Edith

Peterson of Island View, Wash., and five

daughters. He was buried in the Pacific Crest

Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California.

(Spokane District “Telegram” August 1957)

Richland


The newly elected officers for the Richland group

are as follows:

Pastor – Carl Hammel

Secretary – Mildred Cox

Treasurer – Marvin Cox

Solicitor – James Lorenzen

Church School Director – Harold Hight

Music Director – Chrystal Crownover

Women‟s Dept. Leader – Pat Crownover

Zion‟s League Leader – Bob Schuyler

Recorder – Mildred Cox

Historian – Carol Berwick

Book Steward – William Miller

Publicity Director – Jack Reninger

Social Chairman – Ruby Crownover

Branch Auditor – Albert Vosmer

Ruth Van Heitsma is going to take a teaching

assignment in Tripoli. She will be teaching our

Air Force personnel‟s children, there, reading,

writing and arithmetic. Tripoli is between Algiers

and Egypt, as I get it from our Ruth. We certainly



5 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

will miss her fine contribution to our group. We

surely ask God to bless her in her task and hope

she can again be among us, soon.

Transferred into our Tri-City area recently are Sr.

Bonnie Brown of Independence, Mo., and Sr.

Harriet Thomas of Deer Lodge, Montana.

Baptized recently were: Don Bosley, Gregory

Hobson, Caryle Lamb, and Cynthia Lee Berwick.

We had as guest visitors Paul and Roberta Crinzi.

Babies blessed recently were Mr. and Mrs. Gary

Hubble‟s two children, Steven and Doreen. Both

were born in Germany.

Mr. and Mrs. Marion Gayden, of Hermis-ton, had

their daughter Linda blessed at the Richland

Chapel

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Claw, formerly Sandra Leigh

Hight, are now visiting with her parents, Mrs. and

Mrs. Harold C. Hight in Richland.

(Spokane District “Telegram” October 1957)

RICHLAND NEWS

Reported by Shirley Moe

July 21, a baptismal service was held at 8:00 a.m.

at Beachview Park. LeRoy Sorenson and Joe Pat

Arriga were baptized by Harold Hight and Lester

Propst of Orofino. That same morning a baby,

Ronald Arriga, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arriga, was

blessed by Lester Propst. As a perfect fellowship

ending, a picnic was held at the park for members

and friends.

Several visitors have been with us this past month.

Mrs. Ray Fels of Alberta, Canada [was] here to

visit her mother-in-law, Mrs. Fred Fels. Mrs.

Kenneth Moye of Bend, Oregon [was] here to

visit her sister, Mrs. Donald Moe. We were very

glad to have them at our Marietta meeting.

Ardeth Powell was up for ten days from

California to visit her husband Ammon‟s family.

Mrs. Fred Fels has left us for the winter to stay

with her son in Port Orchards, Washington. She

will return again in the late spring.

We held our first family night Saturday, August

24, with a potluck picnic in the park. This was a

night for the members and their families to get

together for fun and recreation. We hope this is

just the first of many such nights.

(Spokane District “Telegram” February 1958)

RICHLAND NEWS

Reported by Judy Cox

The Zion‟s Leaguers had a Christmas banquet the

21st of Dec. The Women‟s Department served a

fine meal for $1.00 a plate. Arnold Rhoades,

pastor of the Moses Lake Mission, arrived with

some Leaguers from his area. Wayne Rogers,

pastor of the Pasco Mission, and his wife, and

League leader Hap Heizer and his wife, came with

their cars full of Leaguers. After the banquet, we

all went caroling to some of the Saints‟ homes.

We finished the evening at the Marvin Cox home.

Elder Marvin Cox, District Youth Supervisor,

took a carload of Leaguers to Walla Walla and

helped them organize a League. They have about

twenty Leaguers.

We are happy to report that Church activities have

commenced in Hermiston, Oregon, at the Legion

Hall at Third and Maple. Our first service

convened at ten o‟clock on January 12 and we

will meet from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on the

first and third Sundays of each month. We were

most happy to welcome twenty-nine on our first

meeting day and all enjoyed the classes and

sermon delivered by Evangelist L.A. Whiting.

Those present were: Tom, Mildred, Barbara,

Sandy, and Tommy Faircloth; Darrel and Sue

Walker; John, Marba, Connie, and Ray Harmon;

Gary, Marlene, Steven, and Dorine Hubble;

Wallace, Marjorie, and Kenneth Ralston; Harriet,

Pauline, Judy, and Lois Hubble; Lloyd Whiting;

Mel, Pat, Pamela, Paula, Phyllis, and Martha

Crownover.

Future speakers who are scheduled here are Mel

Crownover, Dick Bullard, and E.P. Crinzi.

Mildred Faircloth is directing the music activities.

Brother John R. Harmon of 108 Laird Ave.,

Hermiston, is the local man in charge of group



6 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

activities. We are very pleased with indications in

this area.

(Spokane District “Telegram” June 1958)

RICHLAND


Sunday, June 2, the Zion‟s League had a welcome

home picnic party for Karen Crownover who has

been in Oklahoma attending school. Twelve

leaguers helped in the celebration with a wiener

roast and swimming party.

The Zion‟s League has been selling cans of candy

to raise money to supply the church in Richland

with a church flag and an American flag.

Our Zion‟s League leader, Bob Schuyler, went to

San Jose, California, to attend the summer session

of school for teachers.

The Women‟s Department has discontinued their

meetings for the summer. They have been busy

sponsoring a rummage sale which was held in the

early part of May. They cleared a total of about

$70.00. They plan to have another one in the fall.

The women‟s group is also working toward a

“snowcone” booth at the annual Atomic Frontier

Day celebration to be held in August. The women

greatly enjoyed the women‟s retreat held at Ross

Point, Idaho. Ten Women attended from

Richland.

A meeting was held at the Richland church on

Friday, June 6, to organize Pasco Mission into a

branch. Apostle Farrow, District President E.

Paul Crinzi, and Bishop T.A. Beck attended.

Recreational plans for the summer include two

social activities to be held in conjunction with the

Pasco Branch.

New lighting fixtures have been installed in the

main auditorium of the Richland church which

adds greatly to the appearance.

(Spokane District “Telegram” January 1, 1959)

RICHLAND


A baptismal service was held Wednesday,

October 29, at the Richland church. Those being

baptized were: Vicky Moe, Christie Crownover,

and Mrs. Strand, Carl Strand‟s mother, of Pasco.

Sister Strand was confirmed at this service.

Sunday, November 2, Christie Crownover was

confirmed a member of this church by her

grandfather, A.J. Crownover and her father,

Carlos H. Crownover. This was an exceptionally

beautiful service as it was Communion Sunday

and Elder Harold C. Hight served Christie the

sacrament for the first time.

The Zion‟s League had a Halloween party at the

church on Saturday, November 1. The Leaguers

came dressed as hobos. Seventeen attended in

costume. Several games were played and all

participated in a scavenger hunt. Refreshments

were served at the close of the evening.

Seventy Luther Troyer and District President Paul

Crinzi attended services held Tuesday, November

4. Brother Troyer was our speaker. A social hour

followed the service.

On Sunday, November 16, Brother Rhoads, his

family, and Sister Emslie of Moses Lake, met

with us. Brother Rhoads was the speaker of the

hour.

The Emma Smith Women‟s Circle has established

a new tradition for children‟s birthday

celebrations - a “joy box” full of prettily wrapped

gifts for the selection of the children on their

birthdays. The Emma Smith Circle members

have also been working very hard on a Christmas

bazaar and tea, to be held December 2. More

details on the bazaar and tea in the next

„Telegram.”

The James Lorenzens have moved to Yakima to

make their home. They have found the Saints

very friendly and Jim and Jackie are actively

engaged in the work of the branch.

(Spokane District “Telegram” March 1, 1959)

RICHLAND




7 of 7 pp. / doc. no. 0180

Sunday, January 2, District President Paul Crinzi

was our speaker at the 11 o‟clock service and

conducted a class discussion in the evening. On

January 23 Brother Crinzi presented the film of

the 1958 General Conference.

On Monday, January 26, a wedding shower was

given for Bob Schuyler and Norlene Cutler. Gifts

were opened and refreshments were served.

At a baptismal service on February 8, Susan

Renninger and Mary McFall were baptized into

the church by Carl Hammel. A solo was rendered

by Mary McFall.

(Spokane District “Telegram” Sept. 20, 1959)

RICHLAND


The branch business meeting was held for the

electing of officers for the 1959-1960 year. The

following officers were elected.

Pastor – M. D. Crownover

Secretary – Della LaRock

Church School Director – Jack Reninger

Women‟s Leader – Juanita McDermott

Zion‟s League Leader – Robert Schuyler

Book Steward – William Miller

Publicity – Marge Miller

Social Director – Sally Reninger

Auditor – Alfred Vosmer

Treasurer – W. M. Cox

Historian – Carol Berwick

Solicitor – Carlos Crownover

Music Director – Pat Crownover

Recorder – Mildred Cox

Sunday, July 19, a picnic was held at Columbia

Park for all the saints in the Tri-City area. A large

crowd enjoyed games, races and contests.

Sister Lulu Thomas passed away July 9. Burial

services were held at Forsythe, Idaho.

Karen McFarland and Delfred Gans were united

in marriage in a ceremony held at the Richland

church July 11. The couple will make their home

in Kennewick.

We welcome the following recently baptized

members into the church: Carol Hirsch, Robert

Taylor, Paula Crownover, Barbara Faircloth,

Rickey Hyde, and Clara Jacobson.

1960-1969

Documents

the Community of Christ - · PDF filethe Community of Christ title : RECORD OF THE RICHLAND ... Bill Miller; treasurer, ... Leaguers have really put over the plan for raising