Stella Lutheran Chapel
Gathered in faith, welcomed in love, united in grace
History of Stella Chapel...
Pictured: Superintendent, Mr. H.I. Spangler and Mrs. Loren (Mary) Thompson, organist and teacher; Hattie Lou in her arms. Mr. & Mrs. H.I. Spangler conducted a survey in 1934 to ascertain the need for organizing a Sunday school in Stella. Mrs. Loren Thompson served as the organizations first organist and was later assigned as part of the teaching staff when attendance increased from 23 to 54 by the end of the first year.
Williamson's Building - Easter 1941 Superintendent, H.I. Spangler (kneeling in foreground). Mrs. W.H. Williamson standing behind Supt. Spangler. Mr. and Mrs. H.I. (Rose) Spangler directed the organizations first meeting to elect officers and served as superintendents from 1934 - 1945.
Home of Hulda Andrews?Some of the children at the Stella Women's Club meeting.
Pictured: Superintendent, Mr. H.I. Spangler and Mrs. Loren (Mary) Thompson, organist and teacher; Hattie Lou in her arms. Mr. & Mrs. H.I. Spangler conducted a survey in 1934 to ascertain the need for organizing a Sunday school in Stella. Mrs. Loren Thompson served as the organizations first organist and was later assigned as part of the teaching staff when attendance increased from 23 to 54 by the end of the first year.
A group of dedicated Christians were unknowingly developing a rich legacy for their children, community and the future church; which was built on the principles of service to the community, dedication to God and worship and love for all. Thus begins the story of Stella Lutheran Chapel, our little church with a big heart.
On September 29, 1934, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Williamson II, grandson of William H. Williamson Sr. an original settler of the area, graciously allowed the community to hold Sunday school meetings in one of their buildings which sat right on the shore of the Columbia River, in the area known as Stella, WA. The first meeting was held with 25 people in attendance. The group met Sunday morning in a large room that was partitioned off with curtains to create separate classrooms for all the age groups. The classrooms accommodated a small pre-kindergarten class, children 6-12 years of age, a small group of teenagers and an adult class. By the end of the year attendance grew to 54 individuals.
The Flood of 1948 was brought on by a late snow pack, warm weather and unusual precipitation in May of that year. The flood waters crested the banks of the Columbia River by 31 feet by the middle of June. It took approximately 20 days for the flood waters to recede. This forced the Sunday School Organization to seek a new location for their meetings. Eventually, this group of determined individuals setup and held their Sunday meetings at the Bunker Hill Grange located 2 miles north of Stella, WA on Sherman Road.
Shortly after relocating to their new meeting site, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Sherman, owners of the grange hall, donated land directly across from the grange to help the organization build a church. This was also made possible by the generous donation of materials and labor by the Grange, residents from Stella and Oak Point communities, individuals and firms of Longview, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Pacific Synod. The Sunday School Organization decided to answer the call to build a church with $314 in its treasury.
On October 16, 1948, a cornerstone and foundation were laid and the chapel's original 24' x 48' footprint was in place. The chapel was built entirely of locally grown timber donated by the Sherman family and other individuals. The logs were cut and sawed at Scott's Mill in Eufuala. Soon the walls rose and the hardworking people of the community came together to help build the chapel under the supervision of their Chairman, Clifford Burr. The community held potlucks in the summer of 1949. Everyone pitched in and helped to the best of their abilities. The chapel was completed by the fall of 1949 and on Sunday, October 16, 1949 Stella Lutheran chapel was dedicated at an evening service, officiated by Rev. John L. Cauble, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church.
The mortgage was burned in 1952.
More information coming soon...