The clear, sweet sound of the bronze bell rings through the air on a sunny, warm, summer afternoon in the Lewis County hamlet of Claquato, just west of Chehalis on Highway 6.
Cant you just feel the history? asks Edna Fund, a self-described history sleuth and vice president of the Lewis County Historical Society, running her hands over the original doors opening into the tiny sanctuary of Claquato church.
Built in 1858, the buildings 150th anniversary will be celebrated with a variety of activities at the church and the nearby Claquato Cemetery this Sunday.
While the celebration certainly draws attention to the building itself — the oldest Protestant church west of the Mississippi River still in its original form and location — it is also meant to pay homage to the pioneer spirit.
The pioneers came here for freedom, democracy and for spiritual reasons, too, said Jean Bluhm, Chehalis, historian for Westminster Presbyterian Church. Their fiery passion made them what they were.
In 1858 the church was dedicated as the Methodist Episcopal Church, but Lewis Davis stipulated it should be open to all denominations, said Janice Davis-Duncan-Erickson, a direct descendant of Lewis Davis, Claquatos founder. It was the social and educational center of the area.
Lewis Davis first came to the area in 1853. He built a one-room log cabin for his family, then turned his attention to building roads. The main north-south route was known as Military Road, as it is still called today.
He thought his community would grow, and by the 1860s would be the biggest community between Fort Vancouver and Steilacoom, said Erickson. In fact, Claquato did thrive for a time, with two hotels, a general store, courthouse, blacksmith shop and stables during its heyday, and for a short while was the county seat.
In 1857, Davis built a sawmill and a grist mill to serve the needs of area residents. The first lumber from the sawmill was donated to build Claquato Church, and the wide, rough planks are still visible in a vestibule off the churchs entryway. Residents from Boistfort donated the pews which still grace the sanctuary, and wood from the churchs original organ was used to build the current pulpit. The bronze bell, cast in Boston, Mass., was ordered in 1857, and still hangs in the churchs belfry.
Before the church was built, Davis organized the Presbyterian Church, which met in his cabin. The Rev. George Whitworth, namesake of Whitworth University in Spokane, traveled from Olympia twice a month to hold services. Following Whitworths resignation in 1856, the Rev. J.W. Goodell preached every Sunday. Goodell died in February, 1858, and Davis gave the church to the Methodists, because there were more of them than any other group. The Rev. Tom Eberle, of Chehalis United Methodist Church, likes Davis ecumenical nature.
Chehalis United Methodist Church wanted to honor the Methodist part of the tradition, said Eberle. We want to celebrate 150 years of Methodists in Lewis County. Our piece (of the anniversary celebration) is to plan the service.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Chehalis, will also help in the anniversary observance, because the rich history of Claquato Church is closely tied to the Presbyterians, who also held services at the church.
When the railroad bypassed Claquato in the early 1870s, the towns decline began. More and more people moved to the growing town of Chehalis. In 1880, a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Telesphore Brouillette, purchased the church, and the Presbyterians met there until 1882.
In 1929, the people of Claquato raised money for a new floor and for repairs, said Erickson. Sunday school and church services were held there until the mid 30s.
Virtually abandoned after that, the building again fell into disrepair. Lewis County commissioners took over, and eventually granted Chehalis American Legion Post 22 permission to restore the church. Repairs were completed in 1953. Two years ago the Lewis County Community Services Department restored the crown of thorns which graces the top of the steeple.
The sanctuary, measuring 20-feet by 23-feet, seats 70 people. The church is available for weddings from May through September, and the Lewis County Chapter of the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington conducts tours year-round.
Sundays celebration begins with a 10 a.m. service on the church grounds (weather permitting), conducted by Chehalis United Methodist Church. Lunch will be served by the Adna Grange at the Claquato Cemetery from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $5 per person will benefit the Grange and help with ongoing flood repairs. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jerry Owens and the West Coast Band.
The third annual Pioneer Pie Social is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on the church grounds. Entertainment during the pie social will be provided by the Younger Voetbergs and the Wiley Family. Wade Samuelson will be auctioning off whole pies, but those attending will also be able to purchase pie by the slice. Proceeds from the pie social will benefit the Lewis County Historical Museum.
We had 200 at last years pie social, said Fund. I think well have more this year.
Organizers of the event hope to give those attending a feel for the historic significance of the Claquato Church and the pioneers who helped settle the area. Its never too late, said Bluhm, to record history.
Start taking part in your own family history, community history, she said. Youll really be helping yourself.
