THE HISTORY
of
KENNEWICK FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The First Presbyterian Church of Kennewick, Washington can trace its roots back to May, 1903 when the Clerk of the Home Mission Committee was authorized by Presbytery to enroll the name of the church. A special committee appointed by Presbytery reported "19 members of as good and loyal people as you will find anywhere, with others interested to come in . . . . The congregation has pledged itself to the support of a pastor in the amount of $112 and will make it $150 if possible." Ten years later, the church united with the Congregational Church of Kennewick.

Unfortunately, the record is unclear during the Depression and War years of the 1930s and 40s, and the church was probably inactive during some of this time. By the spring of 1955, however, the Presbyterians in Pasco began to look across the river. Presbyterians of like mind met in the Benton County PUD auditorium on August 1, 1956. Matters moved swiftly, and on November 19, 1956 a letter went out indicating that the Rev. Jack Wilson had been called as pastor of the congregation. The first worship service of this church was held on February 10, 1957 in the I.O.O.F. Hall on North Ione Street. On April 28, 1957, the Sunday after Easter, KFPC became reorganized officially with 148 communicant members. It was with the vigor of a "young" church that we began anew our corporate service to the Lord.

On January 1, 1958, the church moved from the I.O.O.F. Hall to the stone church on the corner of Second and Auburn where some of our members had worshipped almost 50 years earlier with the original First Presbyterian Church of Kennewick.

Ground was broken in May, 1959 for the building of KFPC in our present location. A Dedication Service of the completed first unit -- the Fellowship Hall -- was held on January 31, 1960. Church worship and other activities centered there for several years. In May, 1964 construction began on the present sanctuary and administration unit. These were dedicated on May 16, 1965 with the theme of "The Church's Task in a World Come of Age."

Soon after the tenth anniversary service on April 30, 1967, the Rev. Jack Wilson resigned to accept the call to a new pastorate. Others serving our church over the intervening years have been the Rev. Russell Tate (February 25, 1968 to June 22, 1969); the Rev. Robert Duncan (September 20, 1970 to April 20, 1974); the Rev. Benjamin Fairchild (September 1, 1974 to December 31, 1988); assistant pastor, the Rev. Ron Ganzer (August 1, 1982 to September 30, 1984); associate pastor, the Rev. Cheryl Wessels (Rohret) (January 12, 1986 to February 29, 1988); and the Rev. Robert Rhinehart (March 1, 1989 to January 21, 1990). The Rev. Robin Glenn Hagan was installed as pastor on March 4, 1990.

As the Tri-Cities prospered, so did First Presbyterian Church. To better serve our community of faith, the session approved adding a full-time Youth Director in April 1989. Laurie Bennett (Gerhardstein) filled this position, adding many new youth programs. Subsequently, she decided to continue her education, and we were again blessed with our second youth director, Cheryl Kibbe, who joined us in February 1991. Our youth activities were by then evolving significantly and additional new programs and activities were initiated.

As our church grew, so did our needs for Sunday School, Bible Study, and Adult Education. In May 1991, the session approved a half-time position for a director of Christian Education. The Lord provided, and Kristi Ernsberger, one of our newer members, accepted the position.

As Christian Education expanded, all of a sudden our facilities became very crowded. More room was desperately needed. After much prayer and study, on March 19, 1992 the congregation voted to build a new Christian Education Center. In order to maximize our efforts and provide opportunities for individual service, the decision was made to do as much of the construction work as possible ourselves using Craftsmen for Christ, an organization that specializes in helping congregations build their own facilities.

Ground breaking for the new construction was held in June 1992. A schedule was established for volunteer construction workers and cooks for Saturday lunch. By the end of October, the new building was fully enclosed, and on January 7, 1993 it was reported that the congregation had contributed over 7,000 hours of volunteer labor to the project. In April, the final inspection of the building was made, and a permit was issued for limited access. Easter breakfast was held in the new facility and two Sunday School classes moved into the new building.

August 28, 1993 was the last day for Craftsmen for Christ and the end of the volunteer schedule. Since much remained to be done, however, work was continued by dedicated volunteers. The Session selected the name "First Presbyterian Center," and the building was dedicated on September 26, 1993, just a little over 15 months after ground breaking. First Pres Center has been fully utilized, and many activities for both the church and the community have filled this building to capacity again and again.

For the past decade KFPC has continued to welcome new members who are joining and increasing the diversity of our congregation: young singles, newly married couples, young families, couples whose children are growing up and leaving home, older people coming to and/or retiring in the Tri-Cities. Opportunities for worship, for study, for fellowship, for ministry, for participation in the life of our church have grown along with the increasing numbers. And so has the opportunity for increasing our staff. After considerable discussion, and as the result of extensive long-range planning, in 1997 Session again authorized the search for an Associate Pastor. In mid-1998, the Rev. John Tittle joined KFPC with special responsibilities in the area of Christian Youth development. Pastor John served from August 23, 1998 until June 30, 2002, when he resigned to join the overseas mission field. The Rev. Scott Anderson became Interim Associate Pastor on November 12, 2002.

As we enter the second century for The First Presbyterian Church of Kennewick, we thank God for what He is doing in this corner of His world. Our vision is of a Christ-centered church where every member has a ministry, and He moves us inexorably toward that vision. With a committed staff, a dynamic congregation, dedicated lay leadership, focused programs, outstanding youth activities, energetic outreach, truly meaningful worship and a Community of Faith noted for its fellowship and compassion, we look forward to the next 100 years for KFPC. Praise be to God for His loving and abiding presence and for His everlasting guidance.