The project to build the current church began in 1954 and was completed in 1957. It has been said that master stone cutter Andrew Wilson had an uncredited role in designing and producing architectural plans for the building’s construction. Wilson was born in Scotland and worked in Tenino’s stone quarries. His portrait has inspired many artistic representations of the quintessential Tenino Stone Carver.
The massive structural beams for the Sanctuary and then the Fellowship Hall went up first as evidenced in this video by Dr Wichman, and then the church was built around then. Both Wichman and Wilson attended the First Presbyterian Church and played major roles in the civic life of Tenino.
This video also contains footage from the old Community Church that preceded the current church plus ground breaking, construction and completion. Enjoy!
Nice to know more about our history. Carol G.