Our History
A Brief History of First Presbyterian Church of Soda Springs, Idaho
In the spring of 1884, the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church sent Miss Margaret Jones to establish a Christian school in Soda Springs. The Sunday School grew quickly and occasional worship services began to be conducted by Rev. R.P. Boyd of Paris and Rev M. H. Mead of Montpelier, when they were able to visit Soda Springs.
The work of these missionary clergymen and dedicated laypeople, resulted in the official organization of the congregation. The original Session record observes: On November 2, 1892, Rev. Mead and Rev. Boyd, having been appointed a committee for that purpose by Wood River Presbytery, organized a Presbyterian Church at Soda Springs, Idaho with the following members, the most of them upon profession of faith.
Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, Mrs. Mary E Haines, Jay Kirkwood M.D., Mrs. May Kinnaman, Mr. & Mrs. James Strachan, Mrs. Charles H. Wetzel, Goldie Merrill, Mrs. Thomas Horsley, Sarah E. Jones, Mrs. Jay William Jones, Wilson G. Pike, Mrs. Hannah Campbell, Perdette Merrill.
The church’s first official minister was the Rev. Edward B. Teis, who was appointed by the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, as minister of the churches and congregations of Soda Springs and Gentile Valley. He arrived in Soda Springs on June 16, 1893.
As the congregation grew, there was a real desire for a building of their own and in June of 1894, a meeting of the congregation was held for the purpose of forming a corporation to acquire property and “erecting a building suitable for church purposes thereupon.” The dream of the congregation was realized in 1895 when Captain John Codman donated the land, and a house, to the effort, and this building was raised. Total cost of the construction and furnishing of the church amounted to $3,671.35.
Over the years, the original one room chapel was expanded and modified to meet the needs of a growing congregation. In 1952, an annex was added, which included a new furnace room, rest rooms, a kitchen and classrooms. In 1952, a new manse was built to replace the original house that had served as the minister house for over 50 years. On December 8, 1962 the Christian Education building was dedicated and in October 1965 the church spire was constructed and dedicated.
Throughout the past 130 years, First Presbyterian has strived to serve God and the community of Soda Springs by being a place where all who entered these doors, will feel welcomed. We have hosted countless weddings, funerals, community events, special worship services and, of course regular Sunday services, all of which have been open from the beginning, to any interested party regardless of status or circumstances. We have become woven into the fabric of this community through our annual Holiday Bazaar and our Christmas Eve Candlelight service, both of which are community staples.
We look to the past with gratitude and thanksgiving. We look to the future with hope, knowing that whatever may come, we will continue worshiping and glorifying the Lord our God!
In the spring of 1884, the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church sent Miss Margaret Jones to establish a Christian school in Soda Springs. The Sunday School grew quickly and occasional worship services began to be conducted by Rev. R.P. Boyd of Paris and Rev M. H. Mead of Montpelier, when they were able to visit Soda Springs.
The work of these missionary clergymen and dedicated laypeople, resulted in the official organization of the congregation. The original Session record observes: On November 2, 1892, Rev. Mead and Rev. Boyd, having been appointed a committee for that purpose by Wood River Presbytery, organized a Presbyterian Church at Soda Springs, Idaho with the following members, the most of them upon profession of faith.
Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, Mrs. Mary E Haines, Jay Kirkwood M.D., Mrs. May Kinnaman, Mr. & Mrs. James Strachan, Mrs. Charles H. Wetzel, Goldie Merrill, Mrs. Thomas Horsley, Sarah E. Jones, Mrs. Jay William Jones, Wilson G. Pike, Mrs. Hannah Campbell, Perdette Merrill.
The church’s first official minister was the Rev. Edward B. Teis, who was appointed by the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, as minister of the churches and congregations of Soda Springs and Gentile Valley. He arrived in Soda Springs on June 16, 1893.
As the congregation grew, there was a real desire for a building of their own and in June of 1894, a meeting of the congregation was held for the purpose of forming a corporation to acquire property and “erecting a building suitable for church purposes thereupon.” The dream of the congregation was realized in 1895 when Captain John Codman donated the land, and a house, to the effort, and this building was raised. Total cost of the construction and furnishing of the church amounted to $3,671.35.
Over the years, the original one room chapel was expanded and modified to meet the needs of a growing congregation. In 1952, an annex was added, which included a new furnace room, rest rooms, a kitchen and classrooms. In 1952, a new manse was built to replace the original house that had served as the minister house for over 50 years. On December 8, 1962 the Christian Education building was dedicated and in October 1965 the church spire was constructed and dedicated.
Throughout the past 130 years, First Presbyterian has strived to serve God and the community of Soda Springs by being a place where all who entered these doors, will feel welcomed. We have hosted countless weddings, funerals, community events, special worship services and, of course regular Sunday services, all of which have been open from the beginning, to any interested party regardless of status or circumstances. We have become woven into the fabric of this community through our annual Holiday Bazaar and our Christmas Eve Candlelight service, both of which are community staples.
We look to the past with gratitude and thanksgiving. We look to the future with hope, knowing that whatever may come, we will continue worshiping and glorifying the Lord our God!
