Memorial Sign at the Catherine Creek Community Center

Soon after the purchase of the Union United Methodist Church located at 667 Main Street in Union Oregon on February 28th, 2021, a Board member was digging deep in the basement confines of the historic Church.  During the basement exploration, Terra Richter found several unique and vital pieces related to the building's history.  The original double doors in need of repair were lying in separate locations directly on the wet ground, some exterior molding pieces were present and the building’s solid wooden front sign was leaning against the wall.

Terra immediately began working with Board members to save some of the pieces found.  Their work has led to the restoration of two unique building features.  The original front doors of the building have been completely restored with funding by The Ford Family Foundation and now proudly adorne the beautiful brick building.   The former Union United Methodist Church sign now stands on the northern side of the Catherine Creek Community Center as a memorial to the building’s history as a Methodist Church. Partial funding for the sign was transferred from the Oregon Idaho Methodist Church Conference from the memorial funds of the Union United Methodist Church.

This wooden sign is now encased in metal and topped with “Catherine Creek Community Center'' .  To the sides, the sign marks the dates that the building was owned by the Methodist Church.  The brick two story church with stained glass windows was built in 1905.  In 2021, the building was sold by the Oregon-Idaho Methodist Church Conference to the Friends of the Historic Union Community Hall.  The Oregon-Idaho Methodist Church Conference worked closely with the nonprofit organization seeking to create a community center in the historic building. 

The original sign stood in front of the building for several years and invited community members to participate in services. 

The design of the metal encased sign was by Terra Richter.  Ms. Richter serves as the president of the Friends of the Historic Union Community Hall operating the Catherine Creek Community Center.  Interestingly many of her past family members were instrumental in the creation of the original building in 1905. 

Dan Baesler of Eastern Oregon Metal Works worked to coordinate the project.  He was able to gather resources and skill professionals to assure a high quality and beautiful memorial sign.  The following contributed to the sign:

Dan Baesler & Linda Yoder - Eastern Oregon Metal Works

Bill & Bryan Rosenberger with R&R Manufacturing

Heidi Denton with Western Steel

Jake Hines, re-working original sign

Barreto Manufacturing

Mike Riley 

James Tippett A plaque honoring the commitment to the preservation of the historic sign will be added to the back side of the memorial sign.