In the early 1840’s “Oregon Fever” was sweeping the country. The United States had continued its westward push, with Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri the westernmost of the 26 states. This expansion also included members of the Christian Church, by then known as “Campbellites” after our most influential leader, Alexander Campbell.
    As wagon trains took the long migration to the Oregon territory over the next decade, they included many believers, including those of the Restoration Movement. As they settled in the Willamette Valley to build homes and communities, they also established churches, the first being in Yamhill County followed by one on the Clackamas River. Others were formed in Rickreall, Amity and Pleasant Hill (Lane County).
Of those original congregations, Amity is the oldest continuing church, having just recently celebrated its 150th year! These and other fellowships grew so rapidly that an anonymous preacher of the time has been quoted as saying “The Campbellites and the fern are taking the Willamette Valley.”
    Of interest to Gladstone, three Mulkey families arrived in Oregon in 1847. And one Aaron Mulkey traveled the Applegate Trail to arrive in Oregon at the beginning of the 20th century, establishing Gladstone Church of Christ in 1908, just 99 years after the foundation of our movement.
 

Denis Whittet