335 Railroad Avenue
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First Presbyterian Church
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The Presbyterian Church was completed on September 1, 1895 and included
both a bell and an organ. Church members were happy to report that the church
had already paid off their mortgage, helped in part by the donation of the
land by J.A. Lehnherr in 1890. Several church buildings in Myrtle Point were constructed
on the same plans, but this is the only remaining example which survives.
The original location of the church was on Spruce street, where the Spruce street grammar school was later located (now
a vacant lot). In November of 1901, the church was rolled down the hill on myrtlewood logs to its
present location by Thomas Krewson of Coquille.
In 1929 an addition on the east side of the building was
added and included a large social room, a kitchen, and two classrooms.
In 1949 the kitchen was remodeled; in 1951 a new shingle roof was put on
the church building and the manse and the church were painted. Sheetrock was
installed in the inside of the building in 1952. In 1957 there were many
improvements to the sanctuary, including new oak pews, pulpit and
communion table. Walnut paneling was installed over the old wainscot and a
new walnut panel was installed on the choir loft. Additional improvements
were made to the entry, where the old wooden steps were replaced with brick
and cement and a porch with a wrought iron railing was added. The organ was
replaced with a new one between 1957 and 1965. Another new coat of white paint
was done in 1964 (and probably another few coats have been added since then).
Source: First Presbyterian 75th anniversary celebration brochure, 1965
Thomas Krewson returned from Myrtle Point, last Friday, where he had just completed the work
of moving the Presbyterian Church from its former site on the hill to a lot near the school house.
Mr. Krewson performed this dangerous undertaking without a mishap and delivered the church
to its present location without damaging it a particle.
Source: Coquille Bulletin, December 1, 1901
In the summer of 2006, the Presbyterian church received its latest coat of paint. The 2008 photo of the church was
contributed by Don Collins.
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