We are a small, country church within the rural community of Walterville. Surrounded by farmlands and nature, we are 11 miles from Springfield Oregon and a short drive to the beautiful Cascades. We are connected to the regional Presbytery of the Cascades and a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
We pledge our efforts to proclaim the Love of God, reach out to all the people of McKenzie River Valley, nurture a strong ministry in music, maintain a warm and vital fellowship. We pledge to respect diversity in the midst of unity, utilizing our individual talents, gifts, and abilities.
Our history began in 1901 with the formation of the Walterville Ladies Union Aid Society which was formed with the purpose of building a church and carrying on religious education. In 1910, land was donated by the Frank Post family and the first church building was built on the property. In 1911, the congregation voted to become a Presbyterian Church, and on June 27th the Walterville Church was formed with a membership of 23. In 1930, the Ladies Union Aid Society deeded the church building to the Presbyterian Organization.
On July 22nd in 1932, a fire broke out and burnt down a house, the Odd Fellows hall and the church building. The pews, piano, books and windows were saved. The present church was built on the same foundation for $1400 (around $28,000 in todays currency) using insurance money, and the first service was held on October 2nd of the same year. In 1933, the “Social” Room was built for $500 as an addition to the west end of the building.
In 1953, we joined with Leaburg Church to become the McKenzie River Parish, and in 1957 more construction was done on the property, adding classrooms, offices and rest rooms.
In the 1980s, we became a joint congregation built from churches from Leaburg, Walterville, and Springfield and became known as the McKenzie River Presbyterian Church. In 1988, we chartered as McKenzie Valley Presbyterian Church as a separate congregation. Throughout the 1990s, further updates and renovations were done to the building, and in 1993 our new fellowship hall was completed. And in 2011, we celebrated our Church’s Centennial.