Wabash Church is a multigenerational Evangelical Presbyterian Church congregation at 18325 SE 384th Street in Auburn. It is known for a Sunday school tradition that began with seven adults and fourteen children in 1906, for a family-centered 9:30 a.m. service, and for ministries reaching children, youth, adults, homeschoolers, missionaries, and families in practical need. The church's own welcome is direct: “You matter to God. You matter to us. Welcome home.”
From a Wabash School Sunday to a Chartered Church
The Wabash story begins on October 7, 1906, when seven adults and fourteen children met at the Wabash school for Sunday school. The lesson concerned the two great commandments, the offering amounted to 24 cents, and the group sang two hymns. That small gathering began the congregation's enduring emphasis on Scripture study, intergenerational worship, and active participation in church life.
On November 10, 1907, the Presbytery of Olympia chartered Wabash Presbyterian church. Its thirteen charter members came from Presbyterian, United Brethren, Salvation Army, and new-convert backgrounds. C.L. Jensen and Samuel Storrs were elected ruling elders, and four new converts were baptized.
By 1911, the congregation had outgrown the Wabash school and moved one mile east to its present location. The Jones family donated the land, members did much of the work on the original building, and the structure was dedicated on October 13, 1912.
Hand-Built Rooms and a Sunday School That Endured
Local farm children crowded the Sunday school in the early decades. Pastors from Presbyterian churches in Enumclaw and Auburn or student pastors from nearby seminaries preached on Sunday afternoons, and Wabash did not have a permanent pastor until the 1970s. Fred Garrett joined shortly after the charter, served as a ruling elder at various times from the 1910s through the 1940s, and arrived early on Sunday mornings to light the wood stove. He was also the building's handyman. His greatest sustained influence came as Sunday school superintendent, a role he held for 52 years until he was nearly 90. Garrett died in 1958.
Attendance fell in the late 1950s and early 1960s as early members aged and children grew up. Five women prayed that the small country church would continue. New families arrived during the 1970s, and the congregation grew large enough to call Rex Bell as its first permanent pastor. He was installed on October 1, 1977.
More space soon became necessary. A commission led by Elder Arlin Gunderson began planning a fellowship hall in 1978. A half-acre was purchased from a neighboring farm, construction began in June 1982, and much of the work was done by members under Elder Larry Bullock. Completed without debt, Garrett Hall was dedicated on November 20, 1983, in memory of Fred Garrett.
Four Services, a New Sanctuary, and a New Denomination
Wabash grew rapidly through the 1980s. Mark Patterson joined as associate pastor in 1987 and Keith Vandegrift as missions pastor in 1990. At one point the old sanctuary hosted four weekly services, three on Sunday morning and one on Saturday evening, often at capacity. Sunday school classes overflowed into a Grange hall and the Johnson home. In 1987, the congregation bought the neighboring 10-acre pig farm and began raising money for a larger sanctuary.
The farmhouse on the farm became offices, a counseling center, and a youth room. It was later renamed the Dahl Center for Harry and Bea Dahl, lay pastors of visitation during the 1980s and 1990s who visited congregants in hospitals and homes. A difficult leadership transition in 1993 brought Dr. Ernest Lewis as interim pastor while the congregation continued toward completion of the new sanctuary. Elder Jerry Hatfield supervised construction. When unexplained bumps appeared over the sanctuary roof, Hatfield told Patterson, “You've been praying that God's presence would fill the sanctuary. I guess you prayed extra hard because God needed a little more room.” The sanctuary was dedicated on April 9, 1995.
Don Waite was installed on June 25, 1995, and served for 11 years. He often reminded the congregation during benedictions, “You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you.” Under his leadership, youth, missions, small groups, and men's choir grew to maturity. Larry Hendon and Peter Strong, both former military chaplains, served as associate pastors during part of Waite's tenure. George Dakin later shepherded the congregation for 14 years. During that period, Wabash left the Presbyterian Church (USA) and joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. After an 18-month transitional ministry under Bill MacDonald, Matt Young serves as pastor.
Sundays at 9:30: Casual Worship for the Whole Family
Every Sunday, Wabash gathers at 9:30 a.m., both in person and online. The congregation describes itself as a multigenerational family united in following Jesus. Attendance is intentionally informal: coffee is available, dress is casual, children may make kid-noises, and perfection is not expected. Families are encouraged to bring children into worship rather than isolate them from it.
The church is located at 18325 SE 384th Street, Auburn, WA 98092. From Enumclaw and Buckley, travel west on Highway 164, turn right on 212th Avenue SE, and turn left on 384th SE; the church is on the left. From Auburn, travel east on Highway 164, turn left on 380th Place, jog right on 160th, and turn into 384th SE; the church is on the right. From Black Diamond, take Auburn-Black Diamond Road to 218th Avenue SE, continue onto 212th Way SE, and turn right on 384th SE.
Those worshiping away from the building can join through the Wabash livestream, while past services are available on YouTube.
Children Belong in the Big Church
Wabash's children and family ministry follows God's lead and partners with parents to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The church values worshiping as a complete family and regards children as a valued part of the congregation. During the sermon portion of the 9:30 service, families have three age-based options:
- Nursery for babies through age 3.
- Children's Church for ages 4 through 10, with Bible stories and activities in an upstairs classroom after the children's blessing.
- Foundations for students age 10 and older, a class that bridges Children's Church and the congregation by teaching foundations of the Christian faith.
Children should be checked in at the counter when the family arrives. Sunday School for all ages runs from 11 a.m. to noon during the school year. Children gather upstairs in Garrett Hall for large-group fun and singing before dividing into age-based small groups for Bible lessons, Scripture memorization, and enrichment activities. Teens meet in the Youth Room for snacks, games, Bible study, and discipleship training.
Vacation Bible School is Wabash's largest annual gathering for children. Hundreds of children from the church and surrounding community take part in a program centered on learning about Jesus. For middle and high school students, the regular Sunday gathering adds games, candy, and lively conversation to the youth ministry's teaching and discipleship emphasis.
Learning and Fellowship Through the Week
Adult education is woven into both Sunday mornings and the church's weekday rhythm. Men's Bible study meets Monday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Library. A second men's group gathers at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in Garrett Hall for Bible study, coffee, and fellowship. Women's Bible study meets Wednesdays from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. in the Dahl Center.
Adult Sunday School classes explore biblical books and questions of Christian faith, complementing the children's and youth lessons that run at the same hour. Wabash also participates in GriefShare, a directed grief-recovery program offering education, support, and hope to people walking through grief.
Reconciliation as a Ministry
Wabash's Reconciliation Team believes every relationship is worth fighting and sacrificing for. It continues Christ's ministry of reconciliation by offering teaching and conflict coaching to people within the Wabash community. Two coaching paths are identified: “Be Reconciled with God” and “Be Reconciled to Others.” Team members are Sandy Cancro, Zack Eckblad, Brian Hiller, John Koopman, Michele Ray, Sara Moorman, Gwen Stewart, and Phil Stewart. Their mission is to bring Christ's reconciliation to every Wabash attender.
Trail Life, American Heritage Girls, and the Classical Co-op
Trail Life provides year-round discipleship for boys from kindergarten through 12th grade. It meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and combines Bible-based mentoring, outdoor adventure, character, practical leadership, and service. Boys ages 5-10 are Woodlands Trailmen learning outdoor skills, citizenship, friendship, and faith. Navigators ages 11-13 explore values and beliefs while taking greater responsibility in outdoor adventures. Adventurers ages 14-18 face more demanding challenges, lead events and projects, and mentor younger Trailmen. The troop also takes regular age-appropriate outings.
American Heritage Girls Troop WA1911 meets alongside the boys' Trail Life troop on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. from September through June. The program welcomes girls from kindergarten through 12th grade and combines Christian character development with service, outdoor experiences, family involvement, and practical skills. The age divisions progress from foundational faith and life skills for younger girls to greater responsibility, leadership, service, and maturity for older students.
The Wabash Classical Co-op serves local homeschool families on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. between September and May. Families receive a weekly packet of readings and memory work before meeting for hands-on classes in family Bible, memory work, literature for students in fourth grade and older, science, and history. The curriculum uses the trivium and a four-year cycle covering history, science, and the Bible. Families share responsibility for teaching the classes, while the co-op provides prepared materials, prayer, community, and support to keep the burden manageable. Children from birth through age 18 participate, with a seven-week winter break.
Missions From Auburn to Noxon and Around the World
Wabash Missions seeks to fulfill the Great Commission by teaching and discipling people to follow Christ in its community and around the world. The church supports 20 Faith pastors in India, MENA KDEC, Arabian Peninsula Business as a Mission, Transformacion Church in Honduras, E210 Ministries, the Enumclaw High School Jesus Club, and several YWAM youth. Its Unknown Nations Nigeria campaign can receive designated gifts through online giving.
One longstanding mission partnership centers on Baptist Mountain Church and Pastor Jim Webley in Noxon, Montana. Wabash began taking students and adults there in 2015 after a Federal Way church asked Wabash to continue the summer ministry. The work has included Vacation Bible School, worship, youth ministry, work projects, and community park nights. Local children participate in Bible lessons, music, crafts, games, and skits, while teams assist with painting, building projects, yardwork, woodcutting, and other practical needs. Community evenings feature food, music, activities for children, and shared testimony.
The mission is open to middle and high school students and does not require church membership. Young participants receive preparation and training, travel with adult leaders, stay with screened host families, and work under supervision designed to keep the experience safe and purposeful.
Deacons, Practical Care, and the Harvest Festival
Wabash's Deacon Ministry continues the biblical practice of caring for those within the church who are widowed, sick, or otherwise in need. Deacons coordinate meals, provide cards and flowers during illness, medical procedures, and grief, staff funeral receptions, arrange emergency funds or groceries for financial need, and offer practical help with tasks at home or in daily life. Each deacon serves a minimum three-year term.
Each autumn, the deacons host a Harvest Festival with food, fellowship, and a silent auction. Proceeds support the Deacons' Fund and Plateau Outreach Ministries. The church also hosts funeral receptions and makes its facilities available for rental.
What Wabash Holds as Essential
Wabash holds that Scripture is self-attesting and calls for unreserved submission in every area of life. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are affirmed as the infallible, fully inspired Word of God and the supreme and final authority on the matters about which they speak.
The church affirms one God, sovereign Creator and Sustainer, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It confesses the miraculous conception and virgin birth of Jesus Christ, his sacrificial death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and present work as High Priest and Mediator. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, gives new life, indwells believers, empowers them for service, teaches them, and seals them for the day of redemption.
Salvation is wholly dependent on God's free grace, with righteousness credited to those who place faith in Christ alone. The church is described as the body of those united through saving faith and the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Wabash also looks for the personal, visible, and bodily return of Christ and commits itself to proclaiming the gospel and making disciples of all nations. Its guiding principle is summarized as “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
One Church with Room for Every Generation
Pastor Matt Young leads Wabash's pastoral ministry. Lindsey Patterson serves as Director of Children's Ministry, with Stephanie Paz as Associate Director. The ruling elders oversee particular areas of congregational life: Steve Butterfield in missions, Tom Dean in worship, technology, and children's ministry, Zack Eckblad in discipleship and evangelism, Brian Hiller in youth ministry, Michele Ray in women's ministry, Doug Reinbolt in adult education, and J.P. Wilcox in Trail Life and American Heritage Girls. The deacons and Reconciliation Team extend that leadership into practical care, conflict coaching, and service.
Wabash expresses its purpose through four verbs: know Jesus, live in his family, serve through the gifts God gives, and share the good news near and far. At Wabash Church, those convictions shape a multigenerational life of worship, study, fellowship, mission, practical care, and discipleship from children through grandparents.