Blog Layout

Blue Mountain Valley Church Celebrates 60 Years of Service

October 28, 2024

A celebration of history filled with music, storytelling, and familiar faces.

By Jacqueline Biloff

Blue Mountain Valley Church member


Earlier this year, Blue Mountain Valley Adventist Church in Athena, Oregon, celebrated the 60th year of their chartering. 


Previous pastors, as many as were alive and could be contacted, were invited to return and share in the event. Seven did: Loren Fenton, Doug Johnson, Roger Kruger, Ole Olesen, Matthew Lombard and Lloyd Perrin. Nancy Canwell was not able to be present but sent a message to be read.


The pastors were allotted 10 minutes to share whatever was on their hearts, followed by special music. At least three pastors provided music — one with his wife as a violin duet. There were also memoir moments by previous members. After a delightful two hours of reminiscing, a meal was served for all in attendance.


As attendees made their way from the sanctuary to the fellowship room, they were treated to a Hall of Remembrance, featuring pictured bulletin boards of the history of the chartering, the building of the church, the growth of the school and years of Pathfinders adventures.


After the meal, a story hour ensued. The church has served its local community with two medical clinics, a healthful bakery, Bags of Love — a quilt, stuffed animal, book and toiletries for displaced children — quilt ministry, card ministry, prayer ministry, YouTube series — "Stories for Kids by Aunt Myla" — missionaries and many mission trips.


Some of the highlights of the memories included the years of work on the Umatilla Reservation, where a church and school were located in Mission, Oregon. Lee and Verna Clay spearheaded that venture. Though the couple has long passed, many church members remember them fondly.


Another story shared was from an elderly couple who attended the celebration. Ed and Ruth MacKenzie were original charter members who told of how they sent a letter several days later explaining why, although signing the charter, they never became members. 


In January 1964, the couple, both 20 years old, signed their church charter. They married in June of that same year and, on their wedding weekend, planned to move their mobile home from College Place, Washington, to Pendleton, Oregon, for work at Harris Pine Mills. As they passed the Weston, Oregon, junction, strong winds caught their trailer and tipped it over.


“It broke the hitch and sent us towards the bank,” the letter from the MacKenzie’s stated. “The trailer had slid across all four lanes of traffic. We were not hurt but very shaken. The trailer was totaled but thank God our belongings were OK.”


The couple went to Idaho instead to sell books, but the silver mines had closed and people didn’t have money for books.

“We came back to Walla Walla College, and Ed went to school and I worked,” the letter continued. “It is how we became involved in missions."


An evening concert was also held with the 60-member orchestra portion of Inland Northwest Musicians, who were celebrating 25 years of serving small, underserved communities in Washington and Oregon. Musicians drove hours from all directions to participate. One flew in from Colorado, where she currently lives. The sanctuary again filled and overflowed into the balcony as spectators enjoyed an hour and a half of spectacular music.


News

By Dustin Jones March 25, 2025
Littell previously served as the director of education and superintendent at Oklahoma Conference.
Shine 104.9 Chaplain Tyler Kern has his beard shaved off by one of his sons as part of a pledge goal
By Isaac Meythaler March 19, 2025
Listener support and innovative pledge goals successfully "razered" funds during Shine 104.9's Annual Spring Friendraiser.
The ACS Thrift Store in Troy, ID being remodeled
By Isaac Meythaler March 11, 2025
Distance made the heart grow fonder for residents of Troy, Idaho, after ten long months of separation from a trusted community member: The local ACS thrift store and food bank.
By David Jamieson March 5, 2025
President Jamieson shares recent actions from Executive Committee to address financial challenges.
The theme of the 2025 National Day of Prayer is
By Kathy Marson March 4, 2025
Churches considering a community event can hold a special National Day of Prayer event!
A row of pews in a church with the sun shining through them.
By Isaac Meythaler March 2, 2025
This author asks: "What does it mean to be a Christian?"
By Isaac Meythaler February 27, 2025
The three-day event began with a healthy three-course meal on Thursday, followed by a series of presentations on mental health.
By Isaac Meythaler February 18, 2025
Teens enjoyed a weekend filled with fun activities, time to connect with peers, and worship that challenged their understanding of God.
A man is kneeling down working with power tools to replace old flooring
By Isaac Meythaler February 10, 2025
In 2024, Orofino Adventist Christian School, with support of the Serve One More initiative and the Adventist Church, repaired a family’s home in time for Christmas.
By Isaac Meythaler February 3, 2025
More than 130 young adults from 42 cities and 15 church groups gathered at Camp MiVoden for a weekend filled with connection and spiritual growth.
More Posts
Share by: