A brief history of the Episcopal Church in Cowlitz/Wahkiakum counties and of St. Stephen's, Longview
		Date	Event
			Note: Those interested in a detailed history of the Episcopal Church in the northwest might want to read "A Concise History of the Church in the Pacific Northwest" - to be found in the church office files.
		November - 1838	James A. Birnie officially married and children baptized at Ft. George (Astoria). The Rev. Herbert Beaver performed the ceremony. Beaver had left Ft. Vancouver after some considerable disagreement with both John McLoughlan and his second in command, James Douglas. When Beaver wrote still another critical report to the Hudson Bay Company headquarter in England about the fort situation, Douglas sent him back to England. It was on his way down the Columbia that he married Birnie and Charlotte Beaulieu, who had been married "fur trade fashion" earlier. Beaver solemnized the marriage and baptized their four children. (See "Pioneering God's Country" by Thomas Jessett. This material to be found in the church office.)
		1846	Cathlamet founded by Birnie
		October - 1851	First service with American Prayer Book north of the Columbia held by the Rev. William Richmond in Cathlamet.
		June - 1853	First recorded service after Washington was created a territory by Act of Congress, March 2, 1853, held at Cowlitz Landing (near Toledo). Next day another in Monticello (near Cowlitz River close to current site of Lakeside Industries on Tennant Way). Both services by Rev. John McCarty.
		July - 1854	First Confirmation service in the northwest. Held in Cathlamet by Bishop Thomas Fielding Scott. Seven members of Birnie family.
		December - 1863	Consecration of second Bishop, Benjamin Wister Morris, though he was put in another jurisdiction before arriving in Portland, January 2, 1869.
		May - 1871	Bishop Morris consecrated St. Andrews Chapel in Kalama on the ground given at the time by Northern Pacific's decision to build from Kalama northward to Puget Sound.
		1915-1923	Prayer Book services read in Kelso homes.
		April 8, 1923	First recorded service of the Rev. Coleman Byram, who was called from Iowa to take charge of mission in Kelso by Bishop Keator. Services held in rectory at 502 - 4th St.
		July 18, 1923	The mission is named Church of Our Redeemer. Other mission are to be found in Castle Rock, Woodland, Cathlamet, Ilwaco, and Kalama.
		August 10, 1924	First services held in the new Church of Our Redeemer, built on the corner of 4th and Crawford in Kelso. At the dedication, 147 were present. See YEARBOOK from that era.
		October 10, 1926	Last services in the 4th and Crawford facility. The building was sold to the Christian Church. Church of Our Redeemer transferred to Longview.
		October 17, 1926	First services were held in rooms 212 and 213 of the Mt. Hood Building (later called the Mykebust Building) in Longview. The Rev. T. E. Crumb was Deacon in Charge.
		March 10, 1927	Last services of the Rev. T. E. Crumb. Supply clergy were in charge until February 19, 1928, and a move was made to the Moose Temple on Broadway.
		February 19, 1928	The Rev. Russell E. Francis was called as Vicar. At his first service, 53 in attendance. The Longview Mission was then named Grace Episcopal Church, and property was purchased at 22nd and Louisiana.
		December 29, 1929	The Rev. Mr. Francis returned to Ohio and the Rev. Fred Watkins became Minister in Charge.
		March 2, 1930	The first services in the new church at 22nd and Louisiana were held. See photos
		April 15, 1930	The New Grace Church was dedicated by Bishop Huston, with 92 in attendance. See photo of interior of Grace Church
		June 29, 1930	Grace Church was given the status of a parish, only to have it revoked in four months. It was to be ten years before parish status was restored.
		July 31, 1935	The Rev. Fred Watkins left to be assistant to the Bishop and the church was three months without clergy.
		October 20, 1935	The Rev. C. L. Samuelson held his first services as a Deacon.
		April 28, 1936	The Rev. Mr. Samuelson was ordained a priest. During his ministry the church's work was extended in Kelso and Cathlamet.
		January 20, 1938	Annual meeting reports showed an increase of 400% in church school attendance and of 100% in financial support.
		December 26, 1939	By act of the congregation, the name of the church was changed from Grace Church to St. Stephen's Church, and in January, 1940, parochial status was restored. See Daily News article and accompanying photos
For a summary of construction sequence as connected to clergy leaders, click here		July 31, 1940	The Rev. Mr. Samuelson accepted a call to St. Paul's Church in Bellingham. The Rev. Charles Cotton was called to be Rector of St. Stephen's. During his ministry the church edifice was considerably enlarged. See photos from 40's
		1950	The Rev. Mr. Cotton became Executive Assistant to Bishop Bayne. The Rev. Elmer Lofstrum became Rector.
		January - 1951	Plans for a new building were discussed. This to be on adjoining lots which had been purchased in 1942 and 1944. See appeal letter from Rector Elmer Lofstrom
		April - 1952	Construction was begun on the new church. (See photo)
		December 21, 1952	The church was dedicated by Bishop Bayne.
		August - 1955	The Rev. Mr. Lofstrum accepted a call to St. John's, West Seattle.
		December 1, 1955	The Rev. Arnold A. Fenton became Rector. Plans were made for an Education Wing.
	September - 1956	A meeting of the joint committee for St. Stephen's of Longview and St. Luke's Church of Vancouver culminated in the two parishes agreeing to purchase all of the assets of the Portland YMCA's property at the south shore of Spirit Lake at the foot of Mt. St. Helens. They also voted to renovate the former Holmstedt Lodge on the property and renamed it "St. Alban's Lodge. Both parishes then presented the campground and buildings to the Diocese of Olympia. See photos
	July 22, 1957	Construction was begun on the wing and a chapel. The work was completed December 28, 1957.
	January 6, 1958	The new parish house, wing, and chapel, (named All Saints), were dedicated.
	July 15, 1960	The first Curate at St. Stephen's was the Rev. Larry A. Westlund. The building of St. James Church in Cathlamet was begun with St. Stephen's support.
	March 22, 1961	The Rev. Larry A. Westlund was ordained.
	July 30, 1961	The Rev. Arnold Fenton left to become Rector of Christ Church, Tacoma. During a three month vacancy, Fr. Westlund took charge and then Bishop Frank Rhea became locum tenens.
	December - 1961	The Rev. Norman E. Stockwell was called to St. Stephen's.
	June 15, 1962	The Rev. Tom Osgood became Curate.
	July - 1964	The Rev. Wallace Bristol was made Curate and Fr. Tom Osgood went to Sequim.
	January 31, 1965	The parochial mission church of St. Matthew's, Castle Rock, was dedicated by Bishop Curtis.
	March 27, 1965	The Rev. Wallace Bristol became the third to be ordained a priest in ceremonies at St. Stephen's.
	July 3, 1966	The Rev. Chester Shulda and the Rev. Paul Dickson became part of the staff at St. Stephen's. The Rev. Shulda, a priest of the Diocese of Oregon but attached on a part-time basis to St. Stephen's, to dover the work at St. James, Cathlamet
	March 3, 1968	The Rev. Patrick Tomter became the Curate at St. Stephen's
	February 1, 1970	The Rev. Norman Stockwell was called to be Rector of St. Paul's Bremerton. The Rev. Robert Burton became locum tenens, January 25, 1970.
	May 1, 1970	The Rev. H. Frederick McLauchlan was called as Rector.
	December - 1971	The Rev. Eric Jackson became part time assistant.
	August 1, 1974	The Rev. Joseph Mikel was made Curate.
	July 26, 1975	Fr. Joseph Mikel was ordained to the priesthood.
	August - 1976	The Rev. John Glase joined the staff as Deacon.
	October 31, 1976	Fr. Fred McLaughlin left St. Stephen's to become Rector of Ascension Church, Seattle, and Fr. Joseph Mikel was named as locum tenens.
	May - 1977	The Rev. Donald G. Brown was selected to become Rector of St. Stephen's in July. Fr. Mikel went to Walla Walla.
	September 20, 1977	The Rev. Donald Brown installed by Bishop Cochrane.
	October 13, 1977	The Rev. Mark Barnet selected to be Associate Rector.
	January - 1979	Fr. Barnet resigned.
	June - 1979	The Rev. Stephen Gehrig came on Training Program.
	July 26, 1979	The Rev. Stephen Gehrig ordained as Deacon by Bishop Cochrane.
	November - 1979	Sponsored Vietnam refugees arrived.
	June 11, 1980	The Rev. Stephen Gehrig was ordained priest.
	May 27, 1983	Fr. Stephen Gehrig was called to become Vicar at Chruch of the Holy Spirit, Vashon.
	September 8, 1983	The Rev. Kimbrough A. Besheer became Associate Rector at St. Stephen's.
	September - 1984	Fr. Brown and family to Jerusalem on sabbatical leave from September to December.
	May 25, 1986	Columbarium completed and dedicated.
	September 14, 1986	Fr. Besheer and family leave for his studies in Switzerland.
	February 4, 1987	Word of Fr. Don Brown's selection to be Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento, California.
	March 29, 1987	The Rev. Lincoln Eng named Interim Rector.
	June 21, 1987	The Very Rev. Donald G. Brown installed as Dean in Sacramento.
	June 13, 1988	The Rev. Philip E. McNairy selected to be Rector of St. Stephen's.
	June 21, 1988	Youth group from St. Stephen's on mission to Mexico, helping rebuild earthquake damaged buildings.