Object ID:
2007.026.015
Scope & Content:
Newspaper article about Chapel Car 5.
April 8, 1967
Everett Herald
Diamond Jubilee Involves Baptists
CHAPEL CAR... wheeled for 34 years
What began as an incongruity in the raw stumpland of Everett has become a cherished tradition to members of First Baptist Church, now celebrating the 75th year of their founding in Everett.
The chapel car "Evangel," one of seven railroad passenger coaches which circulated throughout the West after 1891, brought the Baptist brand of evangelism to Everett for the first time April 17, 1892.
The Rev. Boston W. Smith, a "colporter" missionary of the American Baptist Publication Society, is credited with the chapel car idea. A "colporter" was a missionary who carried his supply of Bibles, books and tracts in trays or baskets which swung from his neck as he walked for miles along rural paths.
The Rev. Mr. Smith helped to complete the specifications for the car, which was 85 feet long, with compartments underneath for storing coal, wood, ice and a tent for summer use. Inside, the remarkable equipage had a seating capacity for 125 adults in the narrow oak pews on both sides of a center aisle.
There was a real reed organ and a beautiful brass lectern.
Quarters for the missionary and his wife were provided in the car, which had hot water heat and a gas plant.
The durable "evangel" served for 34 years, on railroad sidings throughout the West. Early in 1925 it was taken to Rawlins, Wyo., where it became the nucleus of a church building dedicated by a Baptist layman.
The lay leader just happened to be president of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Windows of the old car, built 75 years ago, still can be seen there, and one of the doors still is being used as an exit of the building which surrounds it.
First Baptist Church of Everett will continue its 75th anniversary observance this Sunday with a Diamond Jubilee Vespers Service at 5pm in the church sanctuary.
All present and former members of the church– and particularly those whose membership dates to earlier years of the church's history in Everett– are invited to the service. There now are 884 active members.
Dr. Paul Logan, pastor of Fremont Baptist Church of Seattle, will be principal speaker. Fremont Baptist was organized in 1892, just one month before Everett First Baptist church, by the same group of Baptist missionaries traveling with the chapel car "Evangel."
A special highlight of the evening will be the cutting of the diamond jubilee birthday cake at a reception in the church social hall following the service.
Dr. Logan's address Sunday evening will be "A 75th Birthday." He has served as pastor of Fremont Baptist for eight years, earlier serving pastorates in Port Angeles and Anacortes. Born of missionary parents on the Island of Guam, he attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., and received his seminary training at Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. He got his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1963. Dr. Logan was president of the Washington Baptist Convention in 1962–1963 and has served nine years on the board of eduction and publications of the American Baptist Convention.
Other speakers at the Diamond Jubilee Vespers Service will be the Rev. Dick Hart, pastor of Snohomish First Baptist Church, which also was organized in April, 1892, by the "evangel" missionaries; the Rev. Glen Chandler, pastor of Delta Baptist Church, which was started as a mission by Everett First Baptist more than 60 years ago; the Rev. Leon Jones, pastor of Second Baptist church of Everett; and the Rev. Sam Neufeldt, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church.
The Rev. Mr. Jones also will offer a vocal solo, and the chapel choir of Memorial Baptist will sing. Frank Eder, church president, will present welcoming remarks.
Mrs. Fred Gemmer, chairman of the 75th anniversary committee, will extend the invitation to the reception, where the diamond jubilee birthday cake will be cut and served by Mrs. Walter Funk and Mrs. John Adams following the service.
Next event in the church's Diamond Jubilee observance will be the appearance of State Supreme Cort Judge Matthew Hill in the jubilee gospel service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
April 8, 1967
Everett Herald
Diamond Jubilee Involves Baptists
CHAPEL CAR... wheeled for 34 years
What began as an incongruity in the raw stumpland of Everett has become a cherished tradition to members of First Baptist Church, now celebrating the 75th year of their founding in Everett.
The chapel car "Evangel," one of seven railroad passenger coaches which circulated throughout the West after 1891, brought the Baptist brand of evangelism to Everett for the first time April 17, 1892.
The Rev. Boston W. Smith, a "colporter" missionary of the American Baptist Publication Society, is credited with the chapel car idea. A "colporter" was a missionary who carried his supply of Bibles, books and tracts in trays or baskets which swung from his neck as he walked for miles along rural paths.
The Rev. Mr. Smith helped to complete the specifications for the car, which was 85 feet long, with compartments underneath for storing coal, wood, ice and a tent for summer use. Inside, the remarkable equipage had a seating capacity for 125 adults in the narrow oak pews on both sides of a center aisle.
There was a real reed organ and a beautiful brass lectern.
Quarters for the missionary and his wife were provided in the car, which had hot water heat and a gas plant.
The durable "evangel" served for 34 years, on railroad sidings throughout the West. Early in 1925 it was taken to Rawlins, Wyo., where it became the nucleus of a church building dedicated by a Baptist layman.
The lay leader just happened to be president of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Windows of the old car, built 75 years ago, still can be seen there, and one of the doors still is being used as an exit of the building which surrounds it.
First Baptist Church of Everett will continue its 75th anniversary observance this Sunday with a Diamond Jubilee Vespers Service at 5pm in the church sanctuary.
All present and former members of the church– and particularly those whose membership dates to earlier years of the church's history in Everett– are invited to the service. There now are 884 active members.
Dr. Paul Logan, pastor of Fremont Baptist Church of Seattle, will be principal speaker. Fremont Baptist was organized in 1892, just one month before Everett First Baptist church, by the same group of Baptist missionaries traveling with the chapel car "Evangel."
A special highlight of the evening will be the cutting of the diamond jubilee birthday cake at a reception in the church social hall following the service.
Dr. Logan's address Sunday evening will be "A 75th Birthday." He has served as pastor of Fremont Baptist for eight years, earlier serving pastorates in Port Angeles and Anacortes. Born of missionary parents on the Island of Guam, he attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., and received his seminary training at Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. He got his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1963. Dr. Logan was president of the Washington Baptist Convention in 1962–1963 and has served nine years on the board of eduction and publications of the American Baptist Convention.
Other speakers at the Diamond Jubilee Vespers Service will be the Rev. Dick Hart, pastor of Snohomish First Baptist Church, which also was organized in April, 1892, by the "evangel" missionaries; the Rev. Glen Chandler, pastor of Delta Baptist Church, which was started as a mission by Everett First Baptist more than 60 years ago; the Rev. Leon Jones, pastor of Second Baptist church of Everett; and the Rev. Sam Neufeldt, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church.
The Rev. Mr. Jones also will offer a vocal solo, and the chapel choir of Memorial Baptist will sing. Frank Eder, church president, will present welcoming remarks.
Mrs. Fred Gemmer, chairman of the 75th anniversary committee, will extend the invitation to the reception, where the diamond jubilee birthday cake will be cut and served by Mrs. Walter Funk and Mrs. John Adams following the service.
Next event in the church's Diamond Jubilee observance will be the appearance of State Supreme Cort Judge Matthew Hill in the jubilee gospel service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
Search Terms:
Chapel Car 5
Chapel Cars
Chapel Cars
Date:
April 8, 1967
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