First Christian Church of Kent celebrates its 100th anniversary Sunday with a single worship service at 10 a.m. and a celebration luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Longtime and former members will return for the festivities.
Fifteen years after the incorporation of the city of Kent, the Bradley family moved to Kent from St. Louis, Mo. Immediately they began a search to find other Christian church members living in Kent. Two years later their first gathering was held in their home. Kent’s population was about 800.
By 1908 they were chartered with 28 members. Incorporation came on April 14, 1915, and in June their first “bungalow church” was built at Second and Saar in downtown Kent. The building cost $1,250 with donated labor and the land was purchased for $750.
First Christian was the seventh church established in Kent. That building was remodeled twice over the years. As Kent grew, so did the congregation.
With the threat of a state freeway being built and their site being taken, they purchased a 12-acre farm on East Hill on 240th – which was a two-lane dirt road – east of 116th. Controversy over the freeway route, the Boeing layoff of 35,000 workers and the oil embargo delayed the highway project. Church relocation was stalled for 10 years.
The first unit on East Hill was dedicated June 7, 1981, and the mortgage satisfied eight years later. When the sanctuary addition was constructed in 1992 the membership was 478. A commercial kitchen was constructed in 2001.
In addition to serving its members, First Christian has partnered with other Kent congregations to serve the community. The Kent Food Bank was created in 1970 before the massive Boeing layoff. They helped organize and provide volunteers for the Monday Night Community Supper, a 30-year tradition.
Laypersons were part of the creation of HOME, the single men’s overnight shelter and the church hosts those guests two months each year. The annual community CROP Walk is well supported by walkers and contributions. In partnership with others a strong outreach was created with a youth community soccer league. “First Friends” is a weekly outreach to Karin (Myanmar) youth living in the Kent community.
The church’s celebration last Sunday included greetings from the six persons who have been ordained to the Christian ministry from the congregation in its 100-year history. The theme for the three Sunday 100th anniversary observance is: “Glorify, Give, Grow!”
Marvin Eckfeldt served as minister of First Christian Church of Kent from 1967 until retiring in 2000.
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