Spiritual Milestones

A collective effort tracing Spokane’s Spiritual Milestones and Christian Heritage

Spiritual Milestones in Spokane, WASH

A work from the offices of United in Prayer, CRMLI & Cathy McMorris Rodgers

From the Spokane Tribe, we get our name which means, “Children of the Sun.”

“For the LORD GOD is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right…what joy for those who trust in Him.” Psalm 84:11

May we walk in the Light while we can, so the darkness will not overtake us…

“Put your trust in the Light while there is still time; then you will become ‘Children of the Light!’ John 12:36

YEAR 1870s

  • Arrival of Missionaries (Early 1870s). Spokane was founded in 1873 and incorporated on November 29, 1881.
  • Chief Garry of the Spokane Tribe became a Christ follower through the ministry of Episcopalian missionaries from Canada and the prophecy of the “Leaves of Life,” the Bible.
  • Christian missionaries, including Jesuit priests, arrived in the Spokane region to work with local Native American tribes, establishing early missions such as the Sacred Heart Mission and Cataldo Mission. Gonzaga University (1887)
  • A group of Swedish immigrants began a church in a house on Post Street, the Swedish Christian Church, evolved now through thirty pastors, and fours names to include the Swedish Tabernacle, First Covenant church, and now The Gathering House in the Garland district. (1888)
  • Great downtown fire of Spokane in 1889 destroyed 32 square blocks of the city’s commercial district.
  • Whitworth University founded by Presbyterians and affiliated with the Presbyterian church with the mission to ‘honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.’ (1890) George Whitworth, ordained Presbyterian minister, set out on the Oregon Trail from Ohio Valley, founded at least 15 Presbyterian churches across the Pacific Northwest, served as the President of the University of Washington, and as superintendent of schools in Thurston and King counties.
  • Calvary Baptist church, the city’s first Black church, founded by Peter B. Burrow born into slavery, escaped it, joined Union Army, served two terms in the Mississippi Legislature during Reconstruction, moved to Spokane (1890). His granddaughter, Eleanor Barrow Chase, married Mayor Jim Chase.
  • Bethel AME organized at South Stevens Street between Second Ave and Northern Pacific RR tracks (1890)

YEAR 1900s

Signs of Early Revival

Billy Sunday led a massive revival from Christmas Day 1908-February 7, 1909, attracting up to 35,000 people daily to a temporary tabernacle (Second & McClellan). Spokane’s population was about 100,000.

  • “Revival continued almost every day for six weeks.”
  • “The city’s moral future was at stake, the local preachers believed. Which Spokane would prevail in the 20th century? Evil Spokane or Righteous Spokane?”
  • “In 1908, Spokane had about 101 churches and about 211 saloons.”
  • “Beer Sales Fall; Bibles in Demand,” Spokesman-Review headline January 24, 1909
  • Today, Youth for Christ’s downtown location is at 2nd & McClellan. Do It Again, LORD!

YEAR 1910

Other Milestones

  • Sonora Smart Dodd conceived the idea in Central Methodist Episcopal Church (now, New Community church at 3rd & Howard) of Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon.  First Father’s Day observation was June 19, 1910
  • Spokane healthiest city in America due to the healing ministry of John G. Lake and the Healing Rooms. 100,000 recorded healings. (1915-1920) The Spokesman published articles reporting on the large number of people who received healing from his ministry.

 YEAR 1970s

  • Hosted the World’s Fair Expo ‘74
  • Moody Radio (1974); Moody Bible Institute (1994); Moody Aviation (2004); Great Northern University (2018)
  • Billy Graham drew more people to his crusade than the population of the city—more than 223,500. During his eight-day crusade, Graham asked them to read the Bible, pray, witness Christ and work for Christ in the church of their choice. The crusade ranked among the top ten most attended crusades. 400 churches and 10,000 volunteers. (August 1982) Do It Again, LORD!

 YEAR 1990s

  • Bethel AME under the leadership of Reverend Lonnie and Elisha Mitchell launched Unity in the Community. (1994-present)

YEAR 2000s

  • “Return” at Joe Albi Stadium (September 2000)
  • King of Glory mural painted by Todd Berget, his 100th mural, and Darien Greason (2000) is now seen above Mosiac church on 3rd & Howard
  • Franklin Graham Festival drew 80,162 people in 3 days at Joe Albi Stadium (August 23-25, 2002) Franklin Graham on Decision America Tour draws nearly 15,000 to Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. ‘Most well-attended event to far.’ “Republicans can’t fix it. Democrats can’t fix it. Only God can fix it,’ he said.” Spokesman Review August 9, 2018
  • Maddie’s Place, a medical clinic and home for substance-exposed children and parents, inspired when CPS delivered a three-week old baby, Madeline, to the home of Tricia Hughes, an ER nurse and husband, Carey, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer Church. Shaun Cross, President & CEO, officially filed articles of incorporation. (March 2018)

 YEAR 2020s

  • Gabriel’s Challenge, following the tragic passing of Gabriel Fensler due to fentanyl, his mother, Kitara Johnson Jones launched a call to parents, churches, and the entire community for increased prayer and presence around every block in Downtown Spokane, from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day 2025 to turn our hearts to our children.
  • Anne Graham Lotz at Be Bold for Jesus, 8,000 people at the Spokane Convention Center, said, ‘Be prepared! Jesus is coming soon!’ (October 4, 2025)

Prophecy at Oasis Church Healing Summit, Ohio 10/25/24

“Spokane, be prepared to step into the greatest expression of all that I am. I am unlocking an awareness of My power that will strike the West Coast like never before. I am igniting a moment in Spokane that will release the wave, that will release a tidal wave, down from Washington to Oregon to California, but also from Spokane back up through Alaska. Be prepared to advance in the ways of My heart, and I will demonstrate all that I am on the Land.”

Father, we say let the West Coast be the guiding guard that will truly cause a moment and a movement that will accelerate upon our land. That Father, you will nullify and neutralize any advancement that comes from any other government or continent or country, and that Father You’re releasing a tidal wave that will unlock an awareness that will sweep across the West Coast, that would empower and impact and shake and shift the structures, and dismantle the strongholds of ungodly orders.  Father, we say let the wave of Your glory, a tidal wave of glory, filter forward through the West Coast like never before.

In Jesus’ Name.

If you have any additions or corrections that you would like considered for this project, please fill out the contact form below. Thank you for your help as we map out God’s amazing work in our city’s history.