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HISTORY
The History of Edgewood Community Church
In the early 1900’s, Edgewood was exactly what its name implies—a rural
area at the edge of the woods north and east of Tacoma, Washington. Families
lived far apart, roads were poor, very few cars were available and few
homes had telephones or other modern conveniences. There was no church
in the area and a group of concerned, godly people from various denominations
realized the emptiness of their lives without Christian fellowship. They
wanted the families around them to learn about God’s love as well as have
a place where they could share their faith with each other.
About 1910, a Sunday school was begun in the old Edgewood school. They
continued to meet there until the consolidation of three schools in 1933,
at which time the Sunday school began meeting in the Grange Hall, as the
old school had been sold and torn down.
The main supporter of the Sunday school endeavor was the newly-formed
Edgewood Ladies’ Aid, which met monthly. Dues were 10 cents per month
per lady, and these funds helped with the purchase of supplies for the
Sunday school, hymnals, and honorariums for visiting speakers. Before
long, the facilities of the Grange proved to be inadequate, so the group
began to pray for property upon which a building could be erected to meet
the needs of the growing Sunday school. With a cash balance in hand of
$49.16, the search began. Eventually, one-half acre next to the Grange
was purchased for $200. The Ladies’ Aid worked diligently to pay off the
contract before beginning a building program. By this time, a Board of
Trustees had been formed and the Deed was turned over to them.
Soon a plan for a new building was submitted to the Board by a gentleman
who worked at McNeill Island Federal Prison. The plans had been drawn
by one of the inmates. On September 20, 1940, a Cornerstone Laying Ceremony
was held. A tin box was buried in the concrete foundation containing a
Bible, two current newspapers, a dime, a copy of the property Deed, and
a few other items of interest.
Because of the urgent need of workers in defense plants during World War
II, it was difficult to get volunteer help to build the church. Some help
was hired, and the rest was volunteered in the evenings by those who worked
in the plants during the day. Materials were rationed in those days and
the people brought their allotted ration to the building site. When the
building was completed, there were just a few nails left! In just the
same manner, God has met the need of the growing body of believers over
the years.
By July, 1944, the basement could be used for Sunday school. The building
was completed and dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1947. The bell placed in
the belfry was from the schoolhouse where the Sunday school had begun.
The bell was rung each Sunday before the morning service.
Church services were held from time to time when a minister was available.
Reverend W.A. Moore was a retired pastor who spoke often on Sunday mornings
by invitation.
In 1945, Rev. Moore was hired at a salary of $50 per month. He also acted
as Superintendent of the Sunday School.
In March, 1952, the Church Board decided to build a 30’ by 50’ covered
basement adjoining the back of the main building. This would consist of
a multi-purpose room, kitchen, furnace room, and classrooms with removable
doors. The work was to be done by John Nyhuis, and Don Wakefield was one
of his crew. This was a much needed addition for the activities going
on in the church. Several years later the upper floor of this addition
was completed. It provided a
larger sanctuary, pastor’s office, more classrooms, another furnace, a
baptistery and library room. A special thanksgiving service to the Lord
was held March 27, 1960.
Rev. Moore resigned as pastor in the fall of 1962. Rev. Don DeBoer was
called to the pastorate and within a couple of months he and his wife
and two children arrived. Don resigned in 1965.
After a few months of hearing different candidates, Rev. Merold Westphal
was hired to serve at Edgewood. He and his wife came to us from Seattle.
He served until 1971 when he resigned.
At a time when the Edgewood Community Church found themselves without
leadership, they learned of the ministry of Village Missions, and the
congregation voted to ask Village Missions to send them a missionary-pastor.
The Marvin Sconce family arrived in January, 1972, followed by the Darrell
Buhlers in 1975. During the time, a lot was given to the church for the
construction of a much needed parsonage, which was completed in February,
1983.
With the growth of the church there came a need for more property. The
property adjoining ours on the north was for sale, and it was decided
to buy it. It was purchased from the Sumner Bank for $52, 000 on February
8, 1983. Another small piece of property, 140 feet long on the south side
of the Grange Hall was donated to the church by Henry J. Iddins, July
1 1969.
In May 1983 Darrell Buhler contacted Pat Peterson about possibly starting
a daycare that would reach out to the community and help use the church
facilities during the week. Instead of a daycare, they decided on a preschool.
Pat, with the help of Alice Mock, held the first Morning Pre-K class in
September of 1983.
The second year they had both a morning and afternoon class and about
5 years later added a 3 year old class to accommodate more families. The
pre-school is still running strong today.
The church continued to grow, warranting an assistant pastor. Dan Rayburn
assumed this position in 1983 and continued at Edgewood until 1991.
In July, 1986, the Dick Bauer family arrived at Edgewood. A ground breaking
ceremony was held and construction begun on a new sanctuary which was
dedicated to the glory of God in November, 1990 with the quote, “God has
done great things whereof we are glad.” It is exciting to think that from
a struggling Sunday school in the early 1900’s , a great work is standing today!
When the Bauers were appointed to serve as district representatives in
May, 1991, Vern and Cindy Wilkinson became the Village Missionaries at
Edgewood. Vern and Cindy served Edgewood Community Church from May 1991
through December 1998 when they were called to serve as district representatives
for Village Missions.
Again, during the service of the Wilkinson’s, the need grew for an assistant
pastor.
Pastor Jim Hurlburt and family began serving the church in September 1995.
Jim served as the youth and music pastor. They served through June 2002.
In April 1999, Pastor Gary Wilderbuer and wife Anna became the new Village
Missionaries at Edgewood and served until December 2001. During this time,
Linc Ambrose served the church and the body as the Visitation Pastor.
He served lovingly until December 2004.
In August 2002, Richard Hayes and his family (Ellen, Christina, Katie,
and Carrie) began their ministry at Edgewood. In June 2003, Ryan Peterson
was hired on staff as a part time youth pastor and was given the full
time position that October.
Once again in 2006 the church had an opportunity to purchase some property
to the north of the church. Praise God for His provision. The property
was purchased, has been cleared, and is ready to be used!
In June 2008, Pastor Richard and his family were called to serve in the
Foothills of Spokane, Washington.
Pastor Ryan Peterson continues to serve the body as the student ministry
pastor and is excited about joining with the pastoral staff from Valley
Bible.
Over the past 98 years, Edgewood Community Church (starting first as a
small Sunday school in 1910) has provided a varied program to meet the
needs of the growing area. It has served the community with Sunday school,
Sunday morning services, a pre-school ministry, youth ministries, AWANA,
vacation Bible schools, camping programs, retreats, Bible studies and
ladies/men's ministries.
On December 7, 2008 the decision was made to merge with Valley Bible Church.
How exciting it is to continue serving our community with so many more
wonderful people. God’s plans are awesome and we are excited to see what
He is going to do with Edgewood Bible Church and the community around
us!
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