Rev. Robert C. Klein
Reverend Robert C. Klein served churches the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Endicott (1942-1946), the United Congregational Church in Odessa (1952-1957), and the Zion Church in Walla Walla (1941-1942), Washington prior to his pastorate at the Zion church in Portland.
Rev. Klein followed Rev. Raymond M. Schatz and served until 1978.
The following is a letter written by Reverend Klein to the members of the church. The letter is not dated but was probably written in 1970 or 1971.
Rev. Klein followed Rev. Raymond M. Schatz and served until 1978.
The following is a letter written by Reverend Klein to the members of the church. The letter is not dated but was probably written in 1970 or 1971.
ZION BRETHREN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
831 N.E. Fremont Street
Portland, Oregon 97212
This letter is to convey to you some of my personal feelings and concerns. I'm concerned about a number of things but one concern that has priority, is my church. Our association together through the years has had depth and meaning to it. This very fact makes me feel that I should not hesitate in writing to you.
My church is the Zion Brethren Church, which came about through a merger of two churches about four years ago. They were both from the same background and were spiritually compatible. In fact both of these churches fellowshipped together through the years within the same denomination. A merger was the natural result of our past associations.
You know the story and you know it well as it relates to many churches throughout the country. The Zion Brethren Church of Portland is no exception. The young people marry, move to the outlying areas of the city and the elderly‑pass away. A community once intact with familiar faces soon is taken over by people of other races, colors and creeds. You reach out to minister to your new neighbors but there is very little response, if any at all.
We have all seen towns that have died a slow, painful death. Buildings that were once brightly lighted, occupied and useful have become just so much brick, mortar and peeling paint. The happy noises of children and people are gone, only stillness and the waiting. Some of us know of churches that have died, mostly due to the lack of people. It isn't a pleasant sight and it doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow, painful death and sometimes it takes a number of years.
We, of Zion Brethren Church, have to look long and hard to spot any so-called signs of growing pains. But our church is still spiritually vibrant and moving forward. We have voted to relocate and build our sanctuary in a new and growing area. We purchased an excellent site last July, the architectural drawings are complete and our present church building is up for sale. As a congregation, we are stepping out on faith.
Our congregation has established a “Building Fund Memorial" and the results have been gratifying. This brings me to the purpose of this letter. I want you to give some thought to the following. Would you be willing to give a gift to the Building Fund of Zion Brethren Church or a memorial gift in memory of a loved‑one? I trust that this will have nothing to do with our personal ties but solely with Christian compassion and concern. Gift or no gift, we continue on as before. Thanks for letting me share this concern of mine with you.
Gratefully,
Reverend Klein
Sources
History of the Pacific Conference of Congregational Churches of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. p. 8.
Last updated February 21, 2018.