Proebstel Church, affiliated with the EFCA

Proebstel Evangelical Free Church

Author unknown

The Proebstel Evangelical Free Church had its beginning in a community Sunday School sponsored by the American Sunday School Union (ASSU) in the early 1940's. Classes and meeting were held in the old community hall, which has since been moved to Fern Prairie to become the Lacamas Bible Church. Some of the earliest volunteers in this Sunday School were Rev. and Mrs. Simon Anderson. As attendance increased, the Andersons saw the need for a better place to hold services and became interested in the present church property. In earlier years this was the site of a Methodist church. After its abandonment as a church, that earlier building was used as a hay barn and then partially remodeled as a residence, but never occupied. Rev. Anderson succeeded in interesting the Western District of the Evangelical Free Church of America in the purchase of the property. In the summer of 1945 the Sunday School moved into its new quarters. In August of 1945, the decision was made to affiliate with the Evangelical Free Church of America. The Sunday School department at that time was left under the auspices of the American Sunday School Union. Several years later the ASSU asked to be relieved of their sponsorship of the Sunday School as it was now able to carry on by itself.

Rev. Simon Anderson served as pastor until the spring of 1948 when he left Proebstel to take up pastoral duties at the work which later became the Hazel Dell Evangelical Free Church. The church then called Kenneth Nordtome, a student at Multnomah, to be its pastor. He and his wife served until late in the summer of 1950.

In September of 1950, Stanley Salapka began his ministry as pastor of the church. With the call of the Salapkas, it was decided to provide living quarters in the church building. A building fund was set up and a loan secured to provide for the drilling of a well, a pump, addition of a bathroom, and some other alterations. (The well is still in operation today and is located in the front of our present sanctuary.)

Between 1952 and 1954, the Salapkas were assisted by Earl and Dorothy Matson who had come to assist in the young people's work. In November of 1952, Pastor Salapka required hospitalization for a number of months and was forced to give up his responsibilities as pastor for more than a year. Earl Matson responded to the call to become the interim pastor and served until May of 1954 when Pastor Salapka was able to resume his ministry. In August of 1954, the Matsons left to assume a pastorate in Burley, Washington.

In January of 1956 it was voted to proceed with the building of a new chapel. In the summer of 1956, the church reluctantly accepted the resignation of the Salapkas who had sensed the Lord's heading to another field of service. In September of 1956, Rev. Palmer Hanson was extended the unanimous call of the church to be its pastor and he and his family arrived in November of that year.

Work on the new chapel continued through the winter of 1956 and 1957 and on through the following summer. Though not completely finished, the new building was used for its first service on Sunday, December 15, 1957 with Evangelist Carrol Nelson preaching the first service.

Under the ministry of Pastor Hanson, the church experienced continued growth. On October 30, 1958, the church voted to erect a new Christian education building. This building was dedicated on July 12, 1959.

Following a fruitful ministry of nearly six years, Pastor Hanson submitted his resignation in the summer of 1962. The church then called Pastor Clifford Emery who arrived with his family in October of 1962.

The church under Pastor Emery continued to show steady growth and it soon became apparent that more space was needed. During this same time a home and acreage became available adjacent to the church property, and it was decided to purchase it and make a parsonage out of the home.

Following the Easter season of 1967, Pastor Emery resigned to accept a pastorate at Village Chapel in Renton, Washington. The church then called Pastor Charles McGee to be its next pastor. He and his family arrived in August of 1967.

Under Pastor McGee, the church voted to build a larger sanctuary, offices and fellowship area. With more than 10,000 volunteer hours by the men and women of the church and the district, the new sancutary was completed and dedicated in March 1969 with Dr. Arnold T. Olson, President of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as speaker.

Pastor McGee left in May of 1972. Since that time the church has been served by pastors Earl Matson (1972-78), Clifford Emery (1979-82), Keith Kirkingburg (1982-84), Jim Lincoln (1984-89), John Heath (1989-2006), and Clyde Andrews (current pastor).