618 D St., Vader, Washington. County/parish: Lewis.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places March 28, 2003. NRIS 03000162.
1 contributing building.Also known as:
Grace Evangelical Church of Vader, also known as Grace United Methodist Church of Vader, is a historic Methodist church in Vader, Washington. Added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2003, the church is one of two NRHP-listed sites in the city, along with the Ben Olsen House. The church and congregation have undergone several name changes due to mergers between religious affiliations and districts. The most widely used, and current name, Grace United Methodist Church of Vader, has been in existence since 1969.
After residents in what was then known as Little Falls formed an Evangelical mission in 1891, the Late Victorian Gothic church was constructed by local craftsmen in 1902. The land was donated, with the express condition the grounds be used to build a house of worship. Open to parishioners of various cultures and heritages, the structure was often too small to accommodate crowds attending services; an annex was built in the 1930s to alleviate the issue.
At the time of its national historic designation, the structure was considered slightly altered but remaining mostly true to the overall historic footprint and style of the church. A belfry, altered from remodeling efforts during the Great Depression, is located on the façade and contains an original cast iron bell. Stained glass windows in Gothic style provide light to the sanctuary that features beaver board ceilings and walls. The interior also includes a balcony, a classroom, narthex, and vestibule.
Religious services have remained uninterrupted since the church was built. Grace United Methodist Church of Vader is considered as possibly one of the last remaining buildings in Vader that was constructed at the dawn of the 20th century.
(read more...)National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75612792