A Brief History of Westminster

The story of Westminster Presbyterian Church began in 1893 when the Reverend James Welch succeeded in his mission to establish a church in Olympia.  On December 2, 1893, seventeen people organized the church at a meeting held in a rented room, No. 508 - 4th Street of Hale Block, and the First United Presbyterian Church of Olympia was born.  In 1895, the Reverend William Hays helped the congregation plan for a permanent church building, and on January 5, 1896, a wooden structure on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Fourth was dedicated.

During the next thirty years, membership in the church fluctuated, but the congregation remained dedicated to the goal of spreading the Good New of Jesus Christ.  In the mid-1920s, the building was sold, and under the leadership of the Reverend William Spalding, the "little brick church on the eastside" was constructed on the northwest corner of Lybarger Street and Fourth Avenue, and dedicated on October 5, 1930.

The congregation remained small throughout the 1930s and the early 1940s, but it was strong in faith.  In 1943, the enthusiastic Reverend Gordon Jackson, instead of closing the church, decided to build up the congregation.  Under the ministry of the Reverend Jackson (1943-1949) the church became self-sufficient and the name was changed to Westminster United Presbyterian Church.   The Reverend Franklin Harper (1949-1951) built on the earlier work, and the congregation continued to grow.  The Reverend Malcom Alexander's ministry (1952-1957) also saw increased attendance.

In 1958, the Reverend Charles Loyer was installed as pastor of Westminster United Presbyterian Church.  The Reverend Loyer is remembered for his skillful leadership that spanned twenty-three years.  From 1971 to 1981, the Reverend Jack Finney, who served first as Assistant Pastor, then as Associate Pastor, ably assisted Pastor Loyer.  During the transition period of 1982-1983, the Reverend Ray Woods acted as the Interim Pastor.  In the early 1980s the Olympia church was renamed Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The Reverend Dr. Dwight Whipple filled the position of Senior Pastor from 1983 to 2001.  Two able associates assisted him, the Reverend Tim Dolan (1981-1990) and the Reverend Tammy Leiter Stampfli (1992-2001).  In 1985, the church embarked upon the major task of moving to another site in Olympia.  The old church was sold to the Salvation Army and a new building was constructed at Boulevard Road and 18th, and joyfully dedicated on October 25, 1990.

During the transition years of 2001 to 2003, the Reverend Jim Jensen as Interim Pastor, and the Reverend Melody Young as Interim Associate Pastor, together served as church leaders.  On October 12, 2003, the Reverend Dr. David Kegley was installed as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church.  On November 2, 2003, Cheryl Kinnamon was commissioned as the Children, Your and Family Program Director.

From Drew W. Crooks, Church Historian