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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 3, 2004 This old house of Worship By Graham Lewis For the Tidings The First United Methodist Church of Ashland is the oldest faith community in the city. Served by Methodist circuit riders, pioneers met in 'class meetings' of the Wesleyan tradition. They organized the church in 1864. These stained glass windows in the First United Methodist Church of Ashland will soon get a $30,000 overhaul.. Graham Lewis | Submitted photos The congregation grew. They completed the first building in 1877. The foundation stones from that construction continue to support the historic sanctuary. In 1869, the church recognized the need for a public school beyond elementary grades. They initiated a plan to build the Ashland Academy on the present site of Briscoe School. The Academy evolved into the first public high school in Oregon outside the Portland area. From this school grew the demand for higher education. The creation of the Ashland Normal School, now Southern Oregon University, was the result. One of America's early cultural and education institutions began in 1893 - the Chautauqua. The first Southern Oregon Chautauqua began as a Methodist camp meeting in Central Point. It moved to Ashland when the permanent site of the Chautauqua Dome was completed. The circular wall of the Chautauqua is still in use at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Elizabethan Theater. Music has always been an integral part of the Ashland Church. The first pipe organ was purchased in 1893. It served for 62 years in various churches throughout the region and is now in the Jacksonville Museum. They installed the present pipe organ in 1929. Recently the magnificent instrument was improved. Spanish trumpets were installed as a memorial to Beverly Smith, wife of Pastor Emeritus Nevitt Smith. A dedication concert will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday. Twenty-six beautiful windows were installed during the first renovation of the building in 1908. The glass was manufactured in Kokomo, Ind. The Povey Brothers of Portland created the windows especially for the Ashland church. A landmark for residents and visitors, the large window facing North Main Street is suffering. Gravity, heat, and time have taken a toll. Many hairline fractures are in the glass. Heat has loosened the lead and solder. Gravity has caused the structure to sag. Restoration is urgent, as damage is likely to accelerate in the heat of the Ashland Summer. The congregation is committed to preserving the beauty of the historic sanctuary. The Canterbury Stained Glass Company of Ashland estimates restoration cost to be $30,000. They plan to remove the entire window to replace individual pieces of cracked glass. New lead and solder will be used to strengthen the structure. Outside, protective Plexiglas will be replaced with a new double glazing system to preserve and protect the restored window. Contributions to preserve this beautiful piece of Ashland history may be given at the church, 175 N. Main. The church continued to grow. Construction of Wesley Hall began in 1986. Many community groups use the hall. Today it is one of the most recognized buildings in Ashland. The policy of building on, rather than tearing down, preserves the historic values of the sanctuary, which is beautifully reminiscent of the Church's beginnings. The church still flourishes under the banner emblazoned in the stained glass, "They builded better than they knew." DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams