Carolyn Davis Young
12/7/2020
One of my most fond memories about the Methodist Church in Union is of our Primary Sunday School class. My Great Aunt, Elida Miller was the beloved teacher. She truly loved the children.
Each Sunday we had a lesson from the Bible. There was a large picture in front of the room. Each child got a smaller version, perhaps 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 to take home. Mrs. Miller made those stories come alive.
My favorite day was “Pioneer Day”. We all dressed up in what we thought a pioneer would wear. My Uncle Tex Knight always turned our old wooden wagon into a “Covered Wagon”. We trudged North on Main Street to the Miller home for a picnic and our Sunday School lesson.
The long low pale green tables we set at Sunday School were in the Church for years. Each child had a little chair. We used the North Room of the Church.
Another special time came later when we were in high school, even a little younger. The M.Y.F. (Methodist Youth Fellowship) met Sunday Evening. We had a lesson and often played volleyball inside the Church. This was before the Fellowship Hall was built.
My earliest memory was of Rev. White and his 7 sons. Perhaps Mr. Fortune was next. They had a son and daughter ( who were very nice looking).
Dr. Virgil Bolen, from Eastern Oregon College was the Minister in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Mrs. Bolen played the piano. She was always so gracious. Leon Bolen, the oldest son had a marvelous voice. My heart just stopped when he sang. Especially at Easter and Christmas. The Bolens had several sons.
Dr. Bolen officiated at my wedding on January 6, 1951 when I married Ronald E. Young from the neighboring ranch out of North Powder. In those days you sent out formal invitations and had a reception in the Church Parlor, which consisted of punch, coffee, tea, nuts, and a large wedding cake. Your sisters and best friends were your attendants. Doctor Bolen did a good job “tying the knot”. Because we were married 65 years!
Lee Graham and Bette Courtright were also married in the Church about the same time. Also Jeanne Scroggin and
For 40 years my mother Eleanar Hall Davis sang in the choir and for funerals and weddings.
Mrs. Edith Phy played the piano (1930-1940’s and 1950’s). Olga Smith, a 4th grade Teacher in Union also played the piano in that era. Later Mrs. Bolen played Freida Stauffer also.
My father Merton A. Davis served on the board for 40 years. He was instrumental in getting the Fellowship Hall built in 1955. In 1969, my folks had their 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration there. The Fellowship Hall has served many people in many ways- for weddings, receptions and after funerals and it has been an important part of Senior Meals.
The Beautiful Silver Tea Service was donated to the Union County Museum. It is on display there. The Church women helped serve at many weddings through the years.
Union is a wonderful town where some people are born there, live their whole lives there and are buried in the old Victorian Cemetery, when they die. The Methodist church has been a part of their lives since it was founded in 1863.
The first Methodist Church in Union was founded by a group of sturdy pioneers. The building is now owned by the Union County Museum and is fondly known as the “Little White Church”. It is presently used for a few Museum activities and may be rented for private use. The Museum is making every effort to maintain and preserve it.
The Union Methodist Church was served by, and served, many members of my family. My great Uncle Conrad Miller and Great Grandfather Simond MIller banned together to hold services in the Methodist Faith in the 1960’s the first church ( The Little White Church) was built on Union’s Main Street in 1873 and by 1904 they has “overgrown: this Church and the new brick Church with its magnificent stained glass windows was built. The dedication service was held Dec 3rd 1905 with the board of directors, G.F. Hall, Mrs. W.T. Wright and DR. W.H.Ewin in attendance.
It is my hope that this dedicated group of volunteer citizens can be successful in turning this beautiful church into a Community Center for the entire area to use and enjoy.
A new life awaits this building with your help.
Carolyn Davis Young
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