St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Eugene)

From Lane Co Oregon

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

1465 Coburg Road

Eugene, Oregon 97401

[edit] History

St. Thomas was founded as a Parochial Mission in 1956 under the leadership of Fr. Perry Smith of St. Mary’s Parish in Eugene. St. Matthew’s was also founded at this time in the River Road area. The first service was held on April 8, 1956 in the cafeteria of Washington Elementary School. Fr. Smith led the service that day and 105 persons were present. The congregation was served by associate rectors and perpetual deacons from St. Mary’s. Fr. Steen Whiteside was called by St. Mary’s to serve as Vicar of St. Thomas in September 1956. St. Mary’s authorized the purchase of 5 acres of farm land at the intersection of Coburg and Cal Young Roads. This land included a farm house. Plans were drawn up in 1957 for the present sanctuary. Fr. Whiteside was called to be Rector at St. Mary’s due to the sudden death of Fr. Perry Smith. Fr. Ted Tainton was called by St. Mary’s as Associate Rector and to serve as Vicar at St. Thomas. Fr. Tainton arrived in December 1957. Construction had begun on the present sanctuary which originally had been designed as a chapel of an eventually much larger church. During this time St. Thomas’ faithful members worshipped in the school cafeteria with Sunday School classes in school classrooms; the Rector’s Committee, choir practices, Altar Guild and Acolyte training and meetings were held in members’ homes. The Lord was in our midst as we worshipped, prayed and planned for the growth of St. Thomas. We were truly blessed by Fr. Smith’s dream and the spiritual and financial support from St. Mary’s staff, vestry and congregation. The first service in the chapel was in August 1958 although the building was not quite completed. The farm house was used for Sunday school classes, ministry meetings and fellowship gatherings. In January 1960, the Rt. Rev. James Carman accepted petitions from St. Thomas’ and from St. Matthew’s congregations to become Diocesan Missions. Fr. Tainton continued to serve as vicar and remained as Rector when St. Thomas became a parish. Fr. Tainton served St. Thomas’ for twenty-five years. He retired in 1982.

The first stage of the Education Building was built in 1961 and the second stage was completed in 1972. In that year St. Thomas was joined by the congregation of St. Matthew’s whose church building had been lost to the construction of the Belt Line Highway. Sts. Thomas & Matthew became a Parish in 1972. Later, in 1979, the parish name again became St. Thomas when St. Matthew’s returned to the River Road area and a new church building. After Fr. Tainton retired in 1982, Fr. Granville Waldron was called and served as Rector until 1986. Fr. Ralph Haynes came to St. Thomas in 1987 and served as Rector for 12 years. After Fr. Haynes retired, a search was conducted and Fr. Jeremy Tyndall was called from England to be Rector at St. Thomas’.

St. Thomas is blessed to have Fr. Jeremy Tyndall as Priest. With the completion of a large Fellowship Hall in [[]200]1, the Education Building houses St. Thomas Preschool. The highly experienced staff is dedicated to insuring that each child receives “The Best Beginning Possible”. St. Thomas offers classes for about 100 children each week. Fr. Jeremy meets the children in the sanctuary each month and special programs and the graduation ceremony are held there.

The “old farm house” is still used by the Center for Community Counseling, once known as Aslan House. The Center’s mission is to provide affordable counseling for adults with limited resources. St. Thomas’ provides the space and CCC the staff, both paid and volunteer. Food for Lane County manages the Grass Roots Garden which utilizes 2-1/2 acres to grow fruits and vegetables. Over 30,000 pounds were produced in 2003 to feed the hungry in the community. Many persons volunteer in the garden under the supervision of the garden’s manager. The Fellowship Hall with a beautifully furnished library and well-designed kitchen provides space for those events which bring the congregation together, such as potlucks, programs, youth activities, Bible study, the Holiday Faire, anniversary and wedding receptions and work parties. The hall is also rented out to community organizations. The diocese utilizes the hall for various meetings. St. Thomas is now able to host the homeless in our community. St. Thomas mission statement reads, “Give thanks and praise to our Lord and share his love.” This is our goal for today and for tomorrow.

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