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HISTORICAL PHOTOS
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Pleasant Grove Church, 1956, Original Site
Courtesy - Salem (Oregon) Public Library Historic Photograph Collections.
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Pleasant Grove Church, 1992, Moved to Mission Mill Museum
Courtesy - Salem (Oregon) Public Library Historic Photograph Collections.
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ILLUSTRATION (Source - uncited newspaper clipping)
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MONUMENT OF FAITH (Capital Journal 4 Feb 1948, pg 3)
Old Presbyterian Church Again a Place of Worship
By Ben Maxwell
Pleasant Grove church, oldest edifice of the Presbyterian faith now standing in Oregon and second within the territory, has lately been restored by members and friends who hope that regular services may again be heard here regularly as they were over a period of 86 years.
Rev. Phillip Condit, with his sons Sylvanus and Cyrenus, arrived in Marion county in 1854 and built Pleasant Grove church in 1856. A site was chosen on the claim of Cyrenus, between what is now Aumsville and West Stayton, and endowed with 50 acres of land for its perpetual maintenance and care of the nearby cemetery. In those times Aumsville was called Hoggum because of the many pigs in the neighborhood and the name carried until July 10, 1863, when Cyrenus became first postmaster and the community was changed to Condit.
Oxen Hauled Lumber.
Lumber for the 92-year-old church, tradition relates, was obtained rough at Oregon City and hauled by oxen to the site of construction where it was hand planed to suit the builder’s needs. Pews for seating a congregation of 150 were likewise fashioned and today these rigid benches bear plane marks made by pioneer craftsmen. Rev. Phillip Condit, first minister, was assisted by Rev. J. A. Anna in launching the church movement.
Rev. Condit died very shortly after the church was completed, his headstone in Pleasant Grove cemetery giving the date as November 21, 1856. Charter members were Mrs. Nancy Condit, Cyrenus Condit and wife Rebecca; Sylvanus Condit and wife Sarah; Samuel Condit, Mrs. Pira Rudolph, Mrs. Alcy Neal and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas.
Few Idle Years.
Pleasant Grove church was in constant use until services were discontinued at the outbreak of the recent war. Rev. J. Y. Stewart, who came to the church in 1923, was last in charge. While idle the building deteriorated through neglect and desecration by vandals. Lately descendants of the Condit family, members and friends have cooperated to restore the structure to a serviceable condition. A new roof has been laid, windows replaced and shutters hung to protect them. Now a heavy wire fence is being stretched around the church yard and cemetery. Henry R. Crawford, Salem businessman who assisted with restoration, hopes that a minister may again be placed in charge and services resumed to maintain a worship established 92 years ago.
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PLEASANT GROVE REUNION JULY 17 [1938]
Church Built by Pioneers is Oldest in Constant Use in West.
TURNER - The annual homecoming day of the Pleasant Grove church will be Sunday, July 17, with the usual basket dinner. Rev. T. Y. Stewart of Albany, pastor for the past few years, will speak at 11 o'clock and Rev. G. W. Payas, Sunday school missionary of Willamette presbytery, will give the afternoon address at about 2 o'clock.
It is expected that a number of the old friends of the church will be present.
The church building is conceded to be the oldest church west of the Rocky mountains in constant use since its erection in pioneer days, under the inspiration of Rev. Philip Condit, who died before its completion. Rev. J. A. Hanna also helped lay plans for the church but died before its erection.
Original Room Intact
Rev. Condit's oldest sons, Cyrennus and Sylvanus, carried out the plans and with other help completed in 1858 the one-room building which accommodated about 75 persons and which remains practically the same, with the old stove, pews and pulpit with its first bible. Needed repairs have been made, and a new porch added. The same foundation holds with the frame hewed out of logs from timber on the ground, put together with wooden pins, and lumber hauled from Oregon City and put on with hand wrought nails. All are well preserved and stand a monument to the piety and sturdiness of purpose of the early pioneers.
A neat little cemetery joins the grounds, the resting place of a number of those who worshiped in the little church that was built with much sacrifice, and where the families yet lived in their first log homes.
Oregon Statesman 8 July 1938 4:5
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