The Church

Drew and I would like to have our wedding ceremony in a rural, historic church. (Preferably with a steeple, center aisle, and a bell….but I don’t want to be picky or anything!) So, Mom and I spent most of the afternoon on last Friday searching the back roads of Polk and Yamhill counties, looking for a church that fits my criteria!

This is Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church built in 1858, orginally in Aumsville, but moved to the grounds at Mission Mill in the 1980's. This church is in really good condition unlike many of the church buildings from this era, however, it does not have a center aisle, steeple, or bell.

This is Spring Valley Presbyterian Church, built in 1859. It's also known as Zena church. I've always loved this church as I have driven by it often in the West Salem hills. It has both a steeple and a bell, but no center aisle.

This is Oak Grove Church built in 1882. I really love the steeple and it has a center aisle. It does have a half wall between the front doors and the aisle that you have to walk around. It kind of reminds me of the church/school house on Little House on the Praire. I'm not sure if it has a working bell.

This is a church in Bethel. I am not exactly sure when it was built, somtime between 1850-1860. Also, I am unclear if this is the orginal church building or the orginal school. It doesn't have have any of my criteria and isn't quite the look I'm going for. But, I think the town of Bethel (which is considered an Oregon ghost town) might have some cool history to look into one day.

This is Amity First Baptist Church, built in 1858. It looks like the building is still being used as an active church. I really couldn't find out all that much information about it. It has not been kept in the best of conditions and I have no idea if it has a center aisle.

This is Yamhill United Methodist Church. It was built in 1898. I love the location of the church as it sits in a quaint little neighborhood. It has a steeple and appears to have a bell. Since it has stained glass windows, which I really like, there was no window peaking that I could do to see what the sanctuary looks like. A bonus for this church is that it is bigger than one room which provides somewhere for me to change into my dress at the church.

This is Yamhill Christian Church built in 1881. This one looks like it could meet all of my criteria and has been fairly well preserved. There were no windows I could reach to see the inside. There is an attached wing at the back of the church that was added on later that would provide room to change and whatnot.

This is First Baptist Church in Carlton. It was built in 1870. It has a bell and steeple, but I did not get to see the inside, so I am not sure about the sanctuary.

This is McCabe United Methodist Church. It was built in 1886. I think it is my favorite. It has the steeple, bell, and center aisle. The last picture, through the window, is kind of hard to see, however there is a stove in the middle of the santuary, but it is off to the side so it does not block the center aisle. It also has a little room off to the side that could be used to change in. This church is located off a country road, off a side road, up a hill on a gravel road. It is quite out of the way. It might be a little precarious for a Decemember wedding, but it is one of my top choices!

Mom and I had quite the adventures looking for a church. At one point, I took a wrong turn and literally ended up in the middle of a graveyard and had to manuever the car carefully as to not take out a headstone! But, after three starbucks breaks and probably close to 100 miles worth of driving, I think we have some pretty good choices. The next step will be to schedule times to see the interior of some of the churches we like best.