Church History

God burdened the heart of a young man named Bill West to begin a Sunday School class in the McKay-Whitford-Progress area, southwest of Portland. The year was 1952 when Bill, a student at Multnomah School of the Bible, Florence, his wife, and Marion & Vietta Rasmussen of Hazeldale started the classes. They prayed that if 10 people came to the first session, God would be telling them to go ahead with the work.

The first meeting was held in February of 1952, and 35 people showed up. The interest and attendance continued, and the first church service was held on Easter Sunday of that same year. Mrs. Martha Olson suggested that they have regular worship services.

Regular services began in June of 1952 with Bill West as Pastor. Sunday evening services were added shortly thereafter and were held in the West home. Prayer meetings were held during the week in various homes.

Some time later, the Church incorporated under the laws of the State of Oregon as Progress Bible Church and elected their first Board of Deacons: R.B. Denney, Carl J. Sorensen, and Amos Spriggel. In 1957 the church purchased two acres of property from Vin Olson, and because the School Board could not renew the permit to use the McKay School, they made plans to build.

Pastor West tendered his resignation and, on August 31, 1957, terminated his ministry at Progress Bible Church. Lee Bullard, a student of Multnomah School of the Bible, became the second pastor. He served for two years and then was called to the mission field in Venezuela for Sunday School and Church services.

On October 1, 1959, Virgil Vater became Progress' third pastor. During his pastorate, the auditorium on Scholls Ferry Road was built. Pastor Vater resigned on October 21, 1964, to take the pulpit at the First Baptist Church of Sedro Woolley, Washington.

Richard Schwab was called as pastor in March, 1965, and during his pastorate an addition was erected to the rear of the building. Pastor Schwab resigned in August, 1969, and moved to Minnehaha Community Church in Vancouver, Washington.

On September 1, 1969, Bill Newkirk assumed the pastorate at Progress. In 1972 a Christian School was begun, Progress Christian Academy. The school continues to be a vital part of the Church's ministry. In January, 1979, Pastor Newkirk resigned to become the Principal of Grace Christian School in Beaverton, Oregon.

On September 1, 1979, Scott Gilchrist assumed the pastorate at Progress Bible Church. At a business meeting held on April 24, 1985, by majority vote the congregation decided to change the name of Progress Bible Church to Southwest Bible Church. This change came about for several reasons: "Progress" was interpreted by some as "progressive" and had a liberal connotation; the community of Progress was becoming more obscure; and we desired a new name, which would include a wider geographic area of ministry.

The Lord blessed Southwest Bible Church with steady growth, necessitating a larger facility. So in 1986 the church purchased nine acres at the southwest corner of Murray Blvd. and Weir Road and sold the building on Scholls Ferry Road to Westgate Baptist Church. While the building on Murray Blvd. was under construction, the congregation met in Highland Park School. The first worship service in the new building was on May 1, 1988. March of 1989 saw Southwest Bible Church continuing to experience good, solid growth, so we moved ahead in faith and purchased the adjoining 17 acres to the west of our building. Yet again the need existed to expand the auditorium, classrooms, nursery, offices, and foyer — so Phase II was built in 1991. An additional 151 parking spaces were added to the parking lot in 1993.

The Lord continued to produce fruit as people in our midst were coming to know Christ as Savior and as the congregation grew. The auditorium, Sunday School classrooms, and nursery became overcrowded. In the Spring of 1995, the Church Council prayerfully made the decision to begin the building permit process with the city of Beaverton for the construction of Phase III. The Lord guided, directed, and blessed the process as we obtained conditional use status for our entire 26 acres. The actual construction began in June of 1996 and ended a little over a year later. On September 28, 1997, we held our first worship service in the new facility.

The Phase III building expansion has afforded us with an auditorium seating capacity of 2,200; added Sunday School classrooms; offices; and more nursery rooms. An additional 190 parking spaces were added to the parking lot in 2000.

From the very start, Southwest Bible Church has seen its mission as 1) winning the lost 2) building up the saints in their faith, and 3) sending workers to the worldwide harvest.

The Lord is working for His glory in the midst of this local congregation. We give Him our thanks and praise, and we look forward to His further provision and blessing.

Summary Timeline

1952 - Sunday School Class at McKay School, 35 people
1955 - Incorporated as "Progress Bible Church"
1957 - Began construction of Scholls Ferry building
1979 - Scott Gilchrist becomes pastor
1985 - Progress Bible Church renamed to Southwest Bible Church
1986 - Sold Scholls Ferry bldg; bought current property
1988 - Met for the first time in new building (Phase I)
1989 - Purchased 17 acres west of church building
1991 - Built Phase II
1997 - Phase III completed