Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, West Linn, Oregon, was founded in 1960 when the United Presbyterian Church USA, now the PC(USA), decided to expand by building a church in the West Linn community. The organizing minister, Reverend Frank Cothrell, made contacts, organized committees and gathered a congregation. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on May 7, 1961 and construction started the next day. The first worship service was celebrated on September 17, 1961 after completion of the first building. The church was chartered with 131 members.

The question of expansion was taken up by the Session beginning in 1974, but plans were not implemented until a Mission Study was conducted in 1986, following a drop in membership from 1985 to 1986. With the arrival of Reverend Newt Roberts in 1987, plans for expansion of church programs and space began. The pastoral office space was expanded in 1988, and that same year the Session appointed an Expansion Committee that submitted plans for a new addition. Building and Finance committees were formed and in October of 1989, a capital campaign was undertaken. The church received a generous donation of $150,000 from Ray and Letty Owings, members of the church at that time, to kick off the campaign. Ground breaking ceremonies were held in 1990 and the fellowship hall (Sanctuary) was given the name of Owings Hall in honor of their gift.

As the need for more space for programs grew, the Sunday School rooms on the upper level were remodeled. Subsequently, the Session authorized a second building campaign to gather funds to complete the lower level of the church. Following the retirement of Reverend Newt Roberts on January 31, 1994, a series of interim pastors worked with the congregation until Paul and Cathy Quackenbush were called to begin their ministry on June 15, 1995.

A multitude of activities kept the congregation busy through the years. The music program expanded with the addition of the bell choir in 1996, joining the adult and two children’s choirs. Vacation Bible School was held each summer. The Youth groups travelled to Bandon, Oregon several summers to conduct VBS there. Shepherding groups began in 1987 with individual deacons taking on responsibility of staying connected with groups of congregation members. In 1992 a tradition of holding a Christmas party for the young women and babies residing in the Letty Owings Drug Rehab House began. These were so successful that “Christmas in July” parties were organized each summer as well. New member meals and Women’s Retreats were organized in 1995 and quickly became quite popular. In the early 1990’s Crop Walks were organized to raise funds for charity and for several years church bazaars were held in the fall to raise money for mission projects. In 1998, Bonnie Garlington created a lovely fabric cross wall hanging from fabric strips with prayers on them that had been written by EPC members.

In 1995, the South Metro Jewish congregation, later called Beit Haverim, requested permission to share space in the church building. This was the beginning of a long and friendly relationship that included joint services on occasion. For several years, their Torah resided in a huge ornate case in Reverend Cathy Quackenbush’s office.

The basement level was completed in 1996, making room for use by various community schools. In 2008, the Jewish congregation moved to larger quarters in Lake Oswego, sharing a building owned by the Lake Oswego United Church of Christ. EPC’s mortgage was paid off in 2008, using money from a prepaid long term lease of the land and cell tower at the edge of the property.

The original chapel was renovated from 2005 to 2007, with direct input and a generous donation from Bill and Marge Varitz. The work included a hand carved wood railing and wood sculpture by congregant Ed Miller.

In 2011, a large stained glass window depicting Christ with a group of children was donated by the Greger family in memory of E.J. Greger and installed on the front wall of the church. Our Memory Garden was created as an Eagle Scout project headed up by congregant Taylor Wells.

In 2019, we welcomed the Marylhurst Preschool to our building. They offer classes for children age 2 to 4 in our downstairs area.

On November 1, 2021, we welcomed the Rev. Dr. Laurie Sponaugle as our new Pastor.

Pastors of EPC

  • Frank Cothrell 1961-1986
  • Fred McCall, Assistant Minister 1979
  • Ed Alora 1987 (Interim)
  • Newton Roberts 1988-1994
  • Sue Goodin, Ministerial Intern 1989-1990
  • Samuel Roberston 1994 (Interim)
  • Carley Friesen-Blank 1994-1995 (Interim)
  • Paul Quackenbush 1995-2013
  • Cathy Quackenbush 1995-2010 (Resigned as co-pastor to become the Stated Clerk for the Presbytery)
  • Beverly Crow 2013 (Interim)
  • Suzan Ireland 2014-2016 (Interim)
  • Kelly Shriver 2016-2020
  • Sandy Hackett 2020-2021 (Interim)
  • Laurie Sponaugle 2021 – (Installed Pastor)