It was in 1877 that the O’Connors and Pakanens came here to make their home. Later others came, among them the Wirkkala’s who settled in what is called the Upper Naselle. Antti Wirkkala changed his name to Johnson. He was the late Esther Wirkkala’s father. Mother Wirkkala used to say how this Antti Johnson’s home was open for gospel services in the pioneer days. She recalled how they used to walk over the hills from Deep River to attend meetings in this home. Preachers would come from Astoria and also young people would sing. Naselle was open to Bible preaching from the beginning.
The first revival came as the result of Pastor Edward Pirinen and his wife Laina (later Mrs. Pellervo, Sr) and her sister Ellen Nyberg (Mrs Victor Ylonen) coming to hold protracted meetings in the valley. Pastor Edward Pirinen was born in Enso, Finland January 14, 1879. He was soundly converted to Christ and entered the Helsinki Mission School. He studied for the ministry in the Lyceum at Pori. July 1902, he was called to America to do home missionary work. He was ordained December 18, 1903 at Pigeon Cove, Mass. After serving in different churches he arrived in Naselle, 1904.
In Naselle, the meetings were held in different homes and a mighty revival broke out that touched and moved almost every home. Many young people were converted and lived a consistent Christian life as a result. Many of these converts spent their adult life in the Lutheran and Congregational Churches and some were later to become members of the Pentecostal Church.
Pastor Pirinen was afflicted with T.B. as a result of which he passed away at Naselle January 15, 1907. His passing left a great vacuum in the hearts and lives of the people in Naselle.
Mike Talus received a copy of the paper “Apostolic Faith.” He and others were greatly moved by the accounts of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as in Bible Times. From this paper they learned that the Spirit was being outpoured in Portland, Oregon. They attended the meetings and Brother Tapio was very much impressed. He went back and received the experience of being filled with the Spirit according to the Bible pattern. Soon other people from Naselle started to go and attend the summer camp meetings there. A number received the Spirit and later wanted to be baptized in water according to the Scriptures. In 1912 Naselle again experienced a revival. Pastor Ellis Koven was God’s instrument at that time. Quite a number were saved and later joined churches in our area.
In 1917 Brother Antti Lajunen came from Finland as the first Pentecostal Minister. During his ministry, several others received the Holy Spirit. In 1922, he baptized 11 persons in water at the Fred Nyberg place. He later was beaten in Mullan, Idaho and received his martyr’s crown in a Portland Hospital as the result of his beating, April 1929.
On the 6th day of June, 1927, the church was organized and incorporated as the Finnish Zion Pentecostal Church of 15 members, with two others joining one week later.
In the 1927 Business meeting, the church went on record to support missionary work. Since that time, this church has been active in the missionary program with their finances and prayers.
A new church building was dedicated in 1929. The Fox Party came to Naselle in 1930. A community shaking revival was the result. Many young people converted and later joined the church. The Fox Party consisted of Ethel, Lorne and Daddy Fox and Rilla Sanders. Miss Sanders had been here for meetings in the early twenties with her mother. The Fox’s left in the late spring of 1931. In 1940, the church affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Construction of the present building began in 1949 and completed in 1953.
The church facility was nearly untouched until 1992 when new bathrooms, an elevator, and foyer were added to the front of the church. In 2017, after sixty-four years, the original seats were replaced with newer theater seats and new flooring throughout the sanctuary. We who labor in the church’s ministry today are thankful for the solid foundation laid by those who have preceded us.
