About Us
A brief Historical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church Bandon, Oregon
Presbyterians came to Coos County in 1889. In 1890, the Rev. Eneas McLean, then pastor of the Medford Presbyterian congregation, came to the Coquille Valley to establish a Presbyterian Church. He built his home in Bandon and held services there until a church could be built.
The Rev. McLean served as pastor at Bandon and served congregations in Myrtle Point and Fish Trap for about two year until his wife, Ella, died and he left for Pennsylvania to raise his children.
The church building was begun on Edison Street in 1891 and was the first Protestant church to be built in Bandon. The church followed the same general plan as the Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Point which still stands today.
Winfield C. Scott was pastor from 1893-1898, Scott was active in local politics, and became mayor of Bandon. While Scott was here, The Ladies Aid Society was organized, the first Christian Endeavor was started and a county union of young people began. Also, a church choir was organized during his time here.
The “Hurry Up Bible Class” of the Bandon Presbyterian Church began as a community reading room and gymnasium in 1911 became the Bandon Public Libarary.
The church and adjoining manse were detroyed by fire in 1911. Church services were held in “the old school” until a new church was completed in 1914. Once again the church building was destroyed by fire in the 1936 “Raging Inferno.” The third Presbyterian church, our current building, was first occupied in March 1939 and dedicated in January 1940.
The history of First Presbyterian Church is a history of hope and determination and is recorded in 100 Years in Mission First Presbyterian Church Bandon, Oregon 1891-1991, compiled and written by Donna Young and Helen Young, dedicated to the memory of James Orville Young.