File:Panoramic View, 1919 - Pine City, Washington (35889811820).jpg

Pine City, WasH. 10 14 1919

Date: October 14, 1919 Source Type: Postcard Printer, Publisher, Photographer: Solio Postmark: None Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: Little exists of Pine City, Washington, today. The small community is located in the S½ of Section 28, Township 20 North, Range 42 East, between the communities of Malden and St. John in Whitman County.

The photograph appears to have been taken on the rock outcrop above Pine Creek; a portion of the creek is visible on the left-hand side of this image. The photograph was taken facing east to slightly northeast. The rail bed of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company can be seen in the upper right quadrant.

Though not in focus, also visible in the upper right quadrant of this image is the New Jerusalem Church (bell tower rises above building). Construction of this church was completed in June 1900; the church was razed soon after the death of W. P. Harthill, a minister at the church, in 1920.

The following report concerning Pine City's New Jerusalem church was taken from the 81st General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America:

"FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW CHURCH. To the General Convention:--

DEAR BRETHREN: The work of the Association is rather hard to report to be understood in the Eastern States.

The Rev. Jacob Kimm is the oldest minister here, and the Rev. W. P. Harthill is his son-in-law. Both join land and live near Pine City. They labor jointly and change off preaching at Pine City, and so far, in the greatest of harmony. During the year Mr. Kimm baptized one infant, and visited outside placed, namely Thornton, Enterprise Schoolhouse, Pine Creek Chapel, fifteen miles east of Pine City, and performed other uses.

The Rev. W. P. Harthill also baptized on infant; and officiated at two funerals. Sickness interfered with his work, but his labors he resumed on the fourth Sunday in April at the house of Mrs. Higbee and fifty hearers greeted him.

There is a New-Church Sunday-school kept up by Mrs. Higbee and Ericksons and other which is well attended.

The Rev. James R. Pershall, once a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church and now a member of the New Church, has done some work below Spokane, Wash., and also in Idaho, as is learned from private letters. He was licensed to preach several years, but on account of the failure of the Association not meeting one year, and not recommended to be renewed, his name was dropped from the Convention roll, which we expect to correct sooner or later.

The 'First Society of the New Jerusalem Church, of Pine City, Washington,' was organized on April 1, 1900, has gained two members, and now numbers eight, and there are four young people expecting to join next spring. This organization was necessary to hold the church property. As is well known they built a fine village church building during the last Convention year, at a cost of over $1,500. This was dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ by the Rev. W. H. Hinkley, on April 21, assisted by our two ministers. There were 175 persons present at the morning services. Mr. Hinkley also preached at three o'clock P. M. to 75 hearers, and administered the Lord's Supper. The church building was opened on Feb. 10, and we had preaching there every Sunday except two.

We permitted the Pine City Union Sunday-school to use our house from 10 A. M. to 11 A. M. They use the David C. Cook lessons, and we thought under the present circumstances we might gain by it. The Rev. W. P. Harthill teaches the adult senior class, and he had taught for years New-Church doctrines, and the superintendent also is friendly towards our doctrines, and to break up those ties at once we thought not wise, as many stay to hear our strictly New-church preaching. Otherwise we have but fourteen of our own children. Mr. Hinkley was not satisfied with this. We suffer for the want of New-Church Sunday-school lessons the year round. The Sower has but thirty-nine lessons. The country schools must do their work this summer. The Lenox Society, near Norway, Iowa, and the Wellsville, Mo., use no lessons, and are situated like Pine City, Wash.

The writer believes many other schools of our New Church suffer likewise. We believe fifty cents for thirty-nine weeks' lessons, for a single copy for the buyers, a little steep, and the New church at large is not doing its duty in that line. What can be done for those situated like us?

The Pine City, Wash. Society, acknowledges with grateful and thankful hearts, the liberal donations from the New-church brethren at large. All debts are paid except $140 borrowed money by two members on their own note. No one has any claim on their church property. The building is insured for three years.

In conclusion will say that the Superintendent of Missions will represent us in Convention and may explain some things more clearly. The Rev. J. Kimm is to preach at Rosalia, next Sunday, and expects to go to Idaho in June. Mr. Harthill is to see to the Tekoa station once a month, and preach half the time at Pine City. We depend on the Lord for His blessing after we do our duty.

JACOB KIMM, Vice-President. PINE CITY, WASH., April 7, 1901."

Additional Information about Jacob Kimm and W. P. Harthill can be found here: <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=47808324" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Jacob Conrad Kimm, III</a> <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71347532" rel="noreferrer nofollow">William Paul Harthill</a>

Information Source: New Jerusalem on the United States of America. 1901. Journal of the Eighty-First Annual Session of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of American. Boston, Massachusetts: Massachusetts New-Church Union. 271 p. [see pp. 189-190]