St. John's Episcopal Church (Olympia, Washington)

[2] On January 7, 1864, the Washington Territory State Legislature passed an act to incorporate St. John's Episcopal Church.

He arrived in June, 1860, and conducted services in the local Methodist Chapel, which was the first church building in Olympia.

[4] The church building was consecrated by Bishop Scott on Sep. 3, 1865, and two persons, Mrs. Robert Frost and Mrs. Charles (Martha) Grainger were confirmed.

As we regretfully gaze at the empty bottles and the remnants of the bridal loaf we waft them out best wishes for happiness" said the Washington Standard of Sep. 9 of this event.

Peter E. Hyland was the rector, and the following were on the vestry: Sam W. Percival, Senior Warden; William Pickering, Junior Warden; and James R. Wood, Robert Frost, Frank Henry, Richard Lane, Benjamin Harned, and John L. Head as vestrymen.

Mrs. Rebecca G. Howard, a well-known Olympia proprietor of the Pacific House, and a faithful communicant and liberal supporter of St John's died July 12, 1881.

In December, 1863, the ladies of the congregation, organized as the "Sewing Society", held a fair to raise funds for a church building.

Members of the St. John's congregation purchased a lot and buildings from Benjamin Harned at 7th and Main Street (now Capitol Way), the land being part of the current Governor Hotel.

In 1878 a rectory was built by James Stewart at a cost of $1800 gold coin raised by "The Dime Society" and the "Busy Bees.

The registration document states "Women were often deeply involved in the establishment and support of local churches.

Some of these furnishings were the baptismal font of carved oak from St. Thomas church in New Haven Connecticut, and the eagle lectern which was the gift of a former parishioner, Mrs. Fanny Mary Wilkinson of Tacoma, daughter of Judge Elwood Evans.

From the old church came the bell, the stained glass window of St. John and St Mary, and the Bishop's and Rector's chairs which had come around the Strait of Magellan in earlier days.

To raise money for them they made sheets and pillow slips and hemmed curtains for the first Olympian Hotel; bound blankets for the National Guard of Washington; had teas and garden parties; gave bazaars and excursions.