1907 Congregation
New Beginnings
The seeds of a new church were planted in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Kneeland in May 1907. During those first significant meetings, the need for a church in the Lents area became apparent, and twenty-seven people, representative of 14 households, covenanted together to organize a Baptist church in Lents. The church was recognized by the American Baptist Convention on June 16, 1907.
About this time Rev. J. F. Heacock was called as Pastor. The Lents congregation continued to meet in homes until a 30' x 30' building was erected at 91st and Foster Road. The August 6,1908 church minutes record the purchase of a can of oil to illuminate the church and the hiring of a janitor for $1.50 per month..
Rev. J.M. Nelson of Azusa, California was called as pastor in January 1910.His annual salary of $900 was paid in part by the church and part by the Home Mission Society. By 1922 the church had a total membership of 104.
Disaster and Rebuilding
On March 13,1912, disaster struck, and the original church building at 91st and Foster Road burned. A notation in church records stated that "the clerk thanked the people who saved the church furnishings from burning." After the fire, property at the present location on 88th and Woodstock was purchased from Dr. Kneeland in April of that year. And in 103 days, using mostly donated labor, a new church building was built, valued at $5,659.55.
20 Years of Ministry
In 1927, during the pastorate of Rev. Russell Thomas and with 300 people on the rolls, the church celebrated its 20th anniversary by beautifying the facilities, and establishing a Boy Scout Troop, among other things. The ministry of the church at this time was described by a reporter as a "neighborhood, family-group church, a place where people of moderate circumstances and people of no means whatsoever can feel at home and enjoy the privileges of worship and fellowship the same as if he had a fortune."
War Time
During World War II, special projects were undertaken. Nine servicemen from the church received a New Testament, each one stamped with their own name. The trustees were also instructed to do what was necessary to "black out" the church - that is, to conceal the church lights from airplanes flying overhead.
A New Association
In 1944, additional properties on the comer of 88th and Woodstock were purchased at a price of $362. About the same time. Pastor Cochrane reported on the formation of a new foreign mission society (CBFMS) as being "dedicated to the teaching of the true Gospel of Christ." A unanimous decision was made to support the new agency and "withdraw from other relations." The church's transition from the Northern Baptist Convention culminated with a vote to join the newly established Conservative Baptist Association of America in November of 1948. God seemed to bless this decision as the following year there were 40 new members, 30 of them through baptism.
Expansion and New Ministries
The 1950's saw new construction: a new parsonage was built and subsequently expanded, and an education wing was added on the north side of the church at a cost of $30,000. New ministries included the King's Daughters, and a Christian Service Brigade. Like the King's Sons program before it, the Brigade involved many men in the ministry, and was effective in the spiritual training of the young men and boys of the church.
In 1960, the "Dollar-a-Month Club" was instituted and as a result, in 1962 the $13,000 mortgage on the new education wing was officially retired. In addition, the house and property just north of the church were purchased to meet expanding needs of the Sunday School.
More Expansion
In 1965, a ground breaking ceremony was conducted for the new 600-seat auditorium and office addition that would eventually cost $165,000. The completed facility was dedicated on September 18, 1966. Two years later, the second house north of the church was purchased. By 1976 the total evaluation of church property and buildings, including furnishings, was set at $296,000.
In 1977 a new constitution establishing a
one-board system of church government was adopted.
In 1979 our AWANA Program was begun, and has been very
successful through the years reaching boys and girls from Lents
Baptist, as well as the neighborhood
In 1981, a new entry on the east side of the church was
built.
In 1985, we received the paid up mortgage for the 1966
auditorium / office addition. We proceeded with several updates to
the church Koinonia Room, Chapel and Library.
In 1989 we purchased the Gillson home, 8707 SE Woodstock as
further addition to our properties. These additions were in
preparation for future expansion, but due to circumstances beyond
our control, they are presently being used as rental property.
In 1990, with plans to enlarge the parking area, the house at
5835 SE 88th was demolished.
In 1991 another new but temporary constitution was adopted,
establishing the Elder Board system of government, and special
landscaping was added.
The Church Divides
Between 1993 and 1994 Lents Baptist Church went through a major debate on the future direction of the church. At that time Lents was no longer a neighborhood church, as such; many members lived in suburban areas around the Portland area. With this in mind, many felt a need to move the church to a suburban area in order to more effectively minister to the suburbanite. However, a large contingent remained committed to meeting the needs of the local Lents neighborhood. This debate was complicated further by the loss of their pastor, Dr. John Johnson, who responded to the call to foreign ministry. In the ensuing interim period under Russel Shive, the church agreed to divide, and approximately 60-80 members left to plant a new suburban church in the summer of 1994.
Going Forward
Shortly after the division, Pastor Charles Fischer was hired and held the position of Senior Pastor for 10 years, during which time the church regained its previous health, and revived its vision the meet the needs of the neighborhood, primarily through its ministry to children and youth. In May of 2004 Pastor Charlie accepted a call to a church in Canada, citing his reason for leaving as a desire to be near his grandchildren. In addition, he shared with the church his journey to that decision, giving clear evidence of God's leading and guidance. His was a bittersweet departure; all parties were saddened by his leaving, and yet there was joy in his anticipation of being near his family, especially as he was approaching his retirement years.
Pastor Mitch Gibbs was hired in 2007 and currently holds the position of Senior Pastor. The church has decided to enter a turn around program, seeking to remember our past and be relevant in the present and into the future.