History of Our Church
Faith Laid the Foundation of Sunnyside—and Our Church.
In 1895, three Brethren men — Stephen J. Harrison from Pennsylvania, Harvey M. Lichty from Nebraska, and Christian Rowland from Illinois — formed the Christian Cooperative Colony with a bold vision: to build a town rooted in Christian values. They chose Sunnyside, Washington, as the place to bring that vision to life.
On December 8, 1900, Harvey Lichty and eight others formally organized the Brethren Church in Sunnyside. With the town still small in population, six denominations — Brethren, Christian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian — joined together to form the Federated Church, worshiping as one body in unity.
1901-1911
The Federated Church building was dedicated on September 8, 1901, entirely free of debt. As membership grew rapidly, an east wing was added in 1903, doubling the sanctuary’s size. Over time, individual congregations grew strong enough to establish their own churches. The Baptist, Christian, and Methodist groups withdrew from the Federation after six years.
The Presbyterian church followed in 1910, and in 1911, the Brethren Church purchased the Federated Church property at public auction, becoming its sole steward.
1937
The church’s impact is reflected in stories like that of Alva J. McClain, a gifted local athlete who played quarterback for Sunnyside High School’s undefeated football team. Though initially uninterested in spiritual matters, McClain’s life was transformed after hearing the powerful message of God's saving grace in Christ Jesus. He went on to found Grace Theological Seminary in 1937, which is now located in Winona Lake, Indiana.
1939
In 1939, a significant moment occurred when the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches emerged as a distinct movement, splitting from the larger Brethren Church. This new fellowship emphasized doctrinal clarity, biblical teaching, and a renewed commitment to evangelism and missions. In 2017, the Fellowship adopted a new name — Charis Fellowship — using the Greek word for “grace” to reflect its theological foundation and global mission.
Now
As we celebrate over a 125 years of ministry, we honor the faithfulness of God and the vision of those early pioneers. Their commitment laid the spiritual and cultural foundation for Sunnyside — a legacy that continues to shape lives today. The church is not just a building, but the body of Christ, and we give thanks for His work in the lives of His people.
Let us respond to God’s faithfulness by being faithful to Him and to one another, placing our hope in the One who holds our future firmly in His hands.
