Capital campaign to restore historic Riverside Church

The congregation wrestled with whether to stay in the building, or sell and rebuild elsewhere. The overwhelming choice was to stay put. In January, the church launched “Lighting the Way,” an $800,000 capital campaign designed to repair and upgrade the church.

Riverside is the oldest continuously operating church in Hood River. In 1890, five people started Riverside Church and built a wooden structure a year later at the church’s current location.

In 1912, the church replaced that first building with today’s iconic stone structure, and added the west wing in 1956. In a 1970 Hood River News article, local historian Ruth Guppy noted “its gray basalt blocks [were] quarried from the cliffs of the Hood River at the east end of Eugene Street.” The church was built at a cost of $24,000.

“We see the building not as an object, but as a full partner in ministry,” Stifter said. In the 133 years since its founding, the church has been witness to dramatic changes in the Hood River Valley and the Gorge.

“If these walls could talk, they would tell tales of healing, birthing, dying, grieving and rejoicing,” she said. “It’s a place where justice is sought and love is revealed.”

Most days from dawn to late night, the building is fully occupied. It houses two early childhood education programs, grief circles, English and Spanish 12-step recovery programs, and Sunday services. It is also a gathering place for community celebrations such as Martin Luther King’s birthday, a children’s summer camp, a sexuality education program, community concerts and the annual free Thanksgiving meal.

With the $800,000, the church will replace the roof, replace the original 1956 flooring in the Riverview Room, replace carpeting and furniture, install new heating and cooling systems, repair the back parking lot, paint inside and out, add new signage, and repair the original stained glass windows.

The congregation hopes to reach the goal by late April. Persons interested in learning more about the campaign, or making a gift, can call the church office at 541-386-1412, or visit riversideucc.com/capital-campaign.