History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon.
Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

UNITED BRETHERN CHURCH                  D.M.C.                 1881

     Some time in the fall of l881 a United Brethern Church was organized at the Barrett Schoolhouse, under the supervision of Bishop Castle. Rev. J.W. Berry from Minnesota was the first pastor.
     No list of charter members is available but there was a large membership at the beginning. There was no other church organization in the valley and many united with the church with the understanding that when a church of their denomination preference was organized, they would be free to withdraw.
     Just before the organization of the church ten families of that faith located in Hood River and this helped to make a strong church, but as many of them were families of retired ministers, they did not remain long when the natural poverty of the country became apparent.
     Rev. Woods succeeded J.W. Berry as pastor and he in turn followed by Rev. Olds.
     About this time the U.E. Church was organized at Belmont, the First Congregational Church and the Christian Church were organized in the Barret neighborhood so that their membership was largely absorbed by other churches. Services were always held in the Barrett School House and no Church building was ever erected.
     Rev. Eldridge was the last pastor.

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