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Church Members Celebrate Centennial in Spokane
More than 5,000 members of the Church of the Inland Northwest area gathered in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, August 12, 2006, to celebrate 100 years of Latter-day Saint heritage in the area.
Activities, which were hosted at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, included games for children, a film documenting Church history in the Inland Northwest, and a live program. Speakers recounted stories from history and a centennial choir performed. Elder Gary J. Coleman of the Seventy presided over the event. The evening culminated with a spectacular fireworks display, and youth from the area enjoyed a dance.
As part of the centennial celebration, members from the area volunteered at a community event. On Saturday, July 29, approximately 1,000 Church members worked at Riverside State Park in firestorm-prevention activities and helped clear small trees, brush, and debris.
Inland Northwest LDS History at a Glance:
1906 First Church unit independent from the mission—the Sunday School—organized
1912 Relief Society and youth organizations established
1916 First branch of church organized
1947 Spokane Washington Stake organized
1962 Coeur d’Alene Idaho Stake organized
1971 Spokane Washington East Stake organized
1979 Spokane Washington North Stake organized
1981 Colville Stake organized
1992 Spokane Washington West Stake organized
1999 Spokane Washington Temple dedicated
2001 Spokane Washington Valley Stake organized
2006 Inland Northwest LDS centennial celebration
Inland Northwest is home to 12 stakes (43,000 members)
History of LDS Church in Inland Northwest:
In 1855, President Brigham Young sent Elder John Hughes on a mission to the Northwest. Elder Hughes established a branch in Clark County, Washington (Vancouver area).
In 1886, President John Taylor sent Elder Charles Card to the British Northwest, where he later established the town of Cardston (Alberta, Canada). On his journey to Canada, Elder Card passed through Spokane.
In 1897, a second Northwestern States Mission was organized with headquarters in Oregon. Missionaries were soon dispatched to Spokane and they stayed intermittently for the next few years.
Mission headquarters moved frequently and was relocated to Spokane in 1902. After a stay of three years, the mission headquarters moved to Portland in 1905.
In 1906, the first Church unit in Spokane (independent from the mission) was created with the calling of John J. Kirby as Sunday School Superintendent and the organization of the first Sunday School. On September 9, 1906, the Sunday School conducted its first service.
In 1912, the Relief Society, as well as the Young Men and Young Women Mutual Improvement Associations had been established. In 1916, the Spokane Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized.
Now as Church members celebrate the centennial in 2006, Spokane County is home to 5 stakes and 41 wards. The Spokane Washington Temple, dedicated in August 1999, serves the growing Church membership.
Article submitted by Liz Thorne
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