Collection Guide
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Eastside Church of Christ Records
0134
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Eastside Church of Christ Records
Identifier/Call Number: 0134
Physical Description:
7.13 Linear Feet
(6 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1960-2006
Abstract: In 1953, the Eastside Church of Christ began in conjunction with Columbia Christian School in Portland, Oregon. The collection
includes financial records and other documents related to church business from 1960 to 2006.
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Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Eastside Church of Christ Records, Collection no. 0134, Churches of Christ Heritage Center, Special
Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
The Eastside Church of Christ began in 1953 in conjunction with Columbia Christian School. On June 7, 1953, the first service
was held in the school auditorium. Eighty-five people attended that day (most were from Central) and two were baptized. Within
the next few months, four elders (Walter Burkett, Earl Smith, Chester Kennedy, and Bert Claspill) and five deacons (Bill Ragsdale,
Curtis Danner, Bill Davis, Bill Powell Jr., and Sewell Magnani) were appointed. L.D. Webb (president of Columbia) was hired
as the preacher. One year later, Claude Guild moved to Portland to preach at Eastside and to serve as vice-president at Columbia.
Attendance at that time was about 100 and the weekly contribution was about $150. In 1957, a building fund was started and
the lot at 90th and Glisan was purchased. Construction began on June 9, 1959, at a cost of about $230,000. On June 12, 1960,
the first worship service was held in the new building. By 1968, the average attendance had grown to 465.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, church members became concerned about refugees from South East Asia and began sponsoring
and ministering to their spiritual needs. The Asian program began in 1975-1978 under Frank Roberts. Many members contributed
their time and energy to teaching Bible classes, driving buses, teaching English, and to many other areas of service. The
Asian congregation met in the fellowship hall for many years but currently meets in the auditorium on Sunday afternoons.
They currently have an attendance of about 100 members.
The collection includes financial records and church documents dating from 1960 to 2000. Topics from the financial records
series include financial statements and budget records, tax information, deposit slips, ledger books, bonds and interest,
and mission work funds. Topics from the general church documents include church minister applications, church events, elder
applications and resignations, correspondence, complaints and grievances, policies and procedures, membership and church information,
and mission work.
The collection is organized into the following series: 1. Financial Records and 2. Church Documents. The financial records
are organized in chronological order and the church documents are organized alphabetically by folder title.
The collection was arranged and described by Lindsey Gant and Katie Richardson in July, 2015.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Christianity -- History
Churches of Christ -- History
Correspondence
Financial records
Receipts (financial records)
Ledgers (account books)
Minutes
Portland (Or.) -- History
Eastside Church of Chirst