September marked the 100th birthday of the Ferndale Church. The festivities began Sept. 8 with Friday vespers, including a short sermon by Doug Bing, Washington Conference vice president for administration. Sarah McHugh, 15, played the harp.
The celebration continued Sept. 9 during the morning worship service with a bagpipe processional and recessional featuring Sid Hammond, Bellingham Pipe Band member. Jerry Landcastle, Ferndale mayor, presented a proclamation from the city of Ferndale to Louis Turner, church pastor. John Freedman, Washington Conference president, was the guest speaker.
Among those who attended the festivities were members, past and present, from the Ferndale Church as well as the other district churches of Bellingham, Everson, Lummi and the Open Door Fellowship.
The celebration concluded with an afternoon program when church members shared special memories and focused on past and present mission projects, including Ferndale’s help in building a church in Santa Cruz, Philippines. Bob Burt, former Ferndale pastor, gave a tribute to long-standing members and his good friends Norman and Kathleen Everett. The highlight of the afternoon was a concert by the Vancouver Adventist Filipino Anklung (bamboo) Ensemble and Choir.
The church began as a small company in 1905, and they built the first Ferndale Church in 1906 with donated land and lumber from members’ properties. Thorvald Linrud, whose family still attends the church, led in the construction. The original pulpit (handcarved by Linrud), one of the benches and the original old clock (still working) were located and brought into the current sanctuary for this occasion.
Bob Burt (right), former Ferndale pastor, pays tribute to Norman and Kathleen Everett for their contributions to the Ferndale Church over the past 50 years.
From left: Jerry Landcastle, Ferndale mayor, receives a gift from Louis Turner, Ferndale pastor, and Don Lunt, head elder.
From left: Bagpiper Sid Hammond, John Freedman and Louis Turner leave platform during recessional at end of worship.
The Vancouver Filipino Anklung (bamboo) Ensemble and Choir perform for afternoon program.
Guest harpist, Sarah McHugh, after concert for Friday evening vespers.
Vancouver Adventist Filipino Anklung (bamboo) Ensemble and Choir.
Sarah McHugh plays her harp for the Centennial worship service.
