Willamette Christian Center ~ History
Willamette Christian Center enjoys a rich history of the Lord’s blessings. We began as The Open Door Mission, a group led by Walter B. Jones, and we worshiped at an 8th Street location in Eugene. In 1941, under the leadership of Roy K. Reed, we were incorporated as the Assembly of God Tabernacle of Eugene, and moved to a location at 13th & Monroe Streets where we were able to build a Christian preschool and kindergarten.
We changed our name from Assembly of God Tabernacle of Eugene to First Assembly of God of Eugene in January of 1954. In 1963 a new facility was built on the 13th and Monroe site and was dedicated for our use to the Lord’s glory. Our pastoral leadership continued from the early years as the following pastors were elected to serve the congregation:
1943 – Gordon Kampher,
1952 – E. Elsworth Crogstadt,
1959 – Murray McLees.
In January of 1970 our name was changed to Willamette Christian Center. Later that year we were privileged to purchase property at a twenty-two acre site on 18th Avenue in Eugene, and in 1977 construction began on phase one. In the spring of 1978 we held our first service in the Gym of the educational wing on the new site and continued to hold services there while construction continued on the rest of the building.
In 1980, to meet the needs of the church and community, our educational ministry expanded from a kindergarten to include elementary, middle and high schools, and was named Willamette Christian School. Since that time this ministry has responded to fluctuating enrollment trends, but since 1996 it consistently has served preschool through 8th grade students.
In March of 1982 we began worshiping in our current sanctuary, and with completion of the entire building, on June 1, 1986, the new facility was dedicated. At this current location we have elected the following pastors:
1988 – John Booher
1990 – Robert Goree
1994 – Steve Savelich
2008 – Van Clements.
Willamette Christian Center remains a strong body of believers, a vital place of worship, and a church committed to winning its community, nation and world to belief in and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Grounded with such a history, and with faith that our future will be greater than our past, we anticipate growing forward in ever-increasing blessing and anointing of the Lord.
Additional Information:
Below are specific dates and other miscellaneous information discovered from research of various sources, including personal recollections of members, letters of incorporation, board minutes and building committee minutes:
- January 25, 1954 – Name changed to First Assembly of God of Eugene
- 1962 – the formal address where mail was received was 1330 Madison Street, Eugene
- May 1, 1962 – Name of the school was Eugene Christian Kindergarten, although it also contained a preschool
- 1963 – The church sanctuary, Reed Hall, was cut into sections to be moved to Camp Davidson, where it was reconstructed and used as the chapel until the Oregon Ministry Network sold the camp.
- December 29, 1969 – the board voted for the name change to Willamette Christian Center, and the letters of incorporation were dated January of 1970.
- May 16, 1970 – the board voted to sell the 13th Avenue property to the Lane County Fair Board.
- May 28, 1970 – the board voted to purchase the 22 acre site on W. 18th Avenue.
- 1978 – it is believed that the first Sunday that services were held in the Gym at the 18th Avenue site was Labor Day weekend of 1978. A complete and large news spread was published in the Eugene Register Guard concerning the major change in the church’s location and life.