Early history
Fridolf Nelson and Fingal Gothberg, two young Covenant men from Chicago were prospectors in the Alaskan “Gold Rush” and returned with funds to establish a Swedish Covenant community. Irrigation was brought to this desert area in the early 1900’s and a land boom ensued. The two men bought land in Wiley Heights suitable for orchards and advertised in the “Mission Friend”, a Midwest Covenant newspaper. Families started moving to the area west of Yakima shortly after. Services began in 1915 and a church was erected in 1920.
The current structure was built in 1960 and sits on what became known as “Swede Hill” surrounded by the original orchards. Many descendents of the early Swedish immigrants are still part of the Wiley Heights church, but now we are a congregation of mixed heritage and warmly welcome everyone, encouraging all to feel at home and join our church family.
Our history is told by those who lived the times, those who heard their parents and grandparents tell stories of the times ... and those of us who have read the stories that they have written.
Following are several different versions of the early history of the Wiley Heights Covenant Church, written by different members of the church:
"History of the Mission Covenant Church of Wiley Heights through 1953" written by N. Gothberg, October 1953
History of Wiley Heights Covenant 1915 - 1963 written for the dedication of the new church building in 1963
"The Old Church and the New" written by Ann Torell 1965 for the dedication of the new church building in 1963
Pastor Stan Shipley's history of the Wiley Heights Covenant Church
People in our history
Interesting articles from other sources
Between 1850 and 1930 over one million Swedes -- one seventh of Sweden's population -- immigrated to the United States. Where did these Swedish immigrants settle? Almost 70 percent settled in the Midwestern states, mostly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. By 1930, Minnesota remained the largest Swedish stronghold, claiming 10 percent of its population as Swedish-American. But Washington State moved into second place with a Swedish-American population of almost 5 percent.
Wiley Heights Covenant Church
12504 Gilbert Road
Yakima, Washington 98903
(509) 966-2383
Fax (509) 966-6948