History of the United Church of Ferndale
The Congregational and Methodist Churches were pioneers in Ferndale. The first Methodist church was build on the east side of the Nooksack River in 1882. In 1887 the first Congregational Church was located west of Ferndale on Mountain View. In the immediate years following WWII, both churches were facing financial difficulties. At that point the two church leaders Rev. George Baird (Congregational) and Rev. Gene Albertson (Methodist) being friends and colleagues, discussed together their similar problems and ultimately formed the idea of a merger of the two congregations.
By the summer of 1949, the Methodist building was decided upon as the best choice to house the combined congregations for worship and the large Sunday School that the Congregational Church brought with it. In June of 1949, the vote was taken in each of the congregations and the merger was overwhelmingly approved
On Sunday, September 4, the actual bringing together occurred. The Sunday School children, and their teachers, of the Congregational Church marched up from downtown and joined their Methodist counterparts. The following week, Sunday School was held in what was to be the home of the new church which became the United Church of Ferndale. Sunday October 2nd, became the official date of merger.
The plan of organization provided for a joint federation of Congregational and Methodist participation and support. This, for instance provided for pastors to come alternately from each denomination to serve the church. Financial support of the denominations is also given on an equal basis. Rev. Albertson and Rev. Baird became co-pastors for the first year, at the end of which Baird retired from the active ministry and Albertson continued on as pastor.
To this day, the United Church of Ferndale is a unique example of denominational cooperation that has ultimately strengthened the church with its differences, drawing deeply from the gifts offered by each.
United Church of Christ History
United Methodist Church History
updated: May, 2006
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