More About St. Timothy’s

A Welcome To Newcomers

We are glad you are visiting us! St. Timothy’s is located on the west side of Yakima at 4105 Richey Road between Englewood and Lincoln Avenues. The church is blessed with a beautiful front lawn that is our neighborhood’s place to come and play and where we have barbecues. We have a court yard in back with a lovely columbarium and classrooms for Christian Education and community group meetings.

We are a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. As Episcopalians, we consider ourselves both Protestant and Catholic in our heritage.

St. Timothy’s is a near-downtown suburban church serving communities throughout the Yakima Valley. Our congregation is diverse in age and culture. From infants to seniors and Anglos to Latinos, we welcome everyone. The parish is just over 50 years old and supports a vibrant church choir, adult and children’s formation programs, and a strong commitment to outreach and pastoral care.

We invite you to join us for worship and participate in Christ’s ministry. Please make yourself known to the clergy and members of the congregation. We would love to speak with you and extend a very warm welcome!

Anglican Worship and Tradition

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a historic Christian tradition whose roots reach back to the earliest centuries of the Church. We share much in common with other historic churches, including Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians, while also embracing the values of the Protestant Reformation.

As an Episcopal church, we are part of a tradition led by bishops whose ministry traces its heritage to Christ’s apostles and the early Church. This connection helps preserve the faith, worship, and teachings that Christians have passed down through the generations.

We are also a liturgical church. We follow a pattern of prayer, Scripture readings, preaching, and Holy Communion that has shaped Christian worship for centuries. The rhythm of our life together follows the Christian year, beginning with Advent and moving through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and the seasons that follow.

Much of our worship is drawn from the Book of Common Prayer, a treasured collection of prayers, Scripture readings, and services that has guided Anglicans for nearly five hundred years. Through its words, Christians across generations have joined together in a common life of worship, prayer, and devotion to Christ.

Whether you have attended liturgical churches your whole life or are exploring this tradition for the first time, we invite you to join us as we worship God, learn from Scripture, and follow Christ together.

What to Expect on Sunday

Worship at St. Timothy’s follows a printed service from the Book of Common Prayer. Visitors are never expected to know the responses or customs of Episcopal worship. Everything needed to participate is provided, and our congregation is happy to help newcomers feel at home.

Services typically include Scripture readings, a sermon, prayers, music, and Holy Communion. Some people stand, sit, or kneel at various points in the service, but visitors should feel free to participate as they are comfortable.

A Short History of St Timothy’s Church

In 1955, twelve families dedicated themselves to the idea of a new church. They had no money, no church, no rector, no congregation—only a dream of the future, a faith in God, a dogged determination, and the foresight to choose the Rev. Albert C. Baker to guide them. From that dream has grown the St. Timothy’s that we know today

The first service was held on October 30, 1955, in a borrowed funeral chapel. For nearly two years, Sunday services were held there, and weekday services and activities were held in a tiny rectory on 40th Avenue. From its first Sunday, the church has been self-supporting and has supported a worldwide missionary program, as well as contributing to the support of the District, now the Diocese of Spokane.

The first building unit of St. Timothy’s church was constructed in 1956 and 1957. The first service in the framed and enclosed skeleton of the future church was on Christmas Eve, 1956. The Parish continued to grow until 1959, when it became obvious that additional space was needed. The educational unit, office, and upstairs were built around a garden court. It was completed and dedicated in October, 1960.

Improvements have been added from time to time over the years—a new organ, a set of carillon bells (updated in 2000), altar appointments, pews, carpeting, stained glass windows, parking lot, plantings, sound system, and in 2000 a new roof, parking lot expansion, new outdoor lighting, and restroom updates. In 2001, new pew cushions were donated by the women of the church and The Plaid Door. Also in 2001, one of two new signs was erected. In 2004 the courtyard area was rebuilt and expanded to include an outdoor worship area, three separate age-appropriate play areas for children, and a columbarium.

In 2005, St. Timothy’s celebrated its 50th Anniversary as a parish. In 2006, the time capsule was removed from behind the cornerstone and replaced for those who will open it when they celebrate 100 years of ministry.

Clergy

Our first Rector, the Rev. Albert Baker, served us from 1955 to 1963. He was followed by the Rev. John P. Gorsuch (1963-1968), the Rev. Webster G. Barnett (1968-1981), the Rev. James L. Vevea (1982-1998) the Rev. Lou Thomas who served as Deacon (1984-1999), and the Rev. Duane Crosier who has served as Deacon since 2002, the Rev. Rick Ward, (1999-2009), and The Rev. Kathy Prehm who served as Deacon (1997-2002) and as Priest Associate (2002-2009), and The Rev. Anne Barton who served our rector (2010-2018), followed by The Rev. Beth Hoffman, Priest-in-Charge (2018-2021)

The Rev. colby roberts

The Rev. Colby Roberts was called to be the rector of St. Timothy’s beginning in February 2022. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of California and served as a Deacon and Assistant Priest at St. Francis’ Episcopal Church in San Francisco. Colby is married to Katherine, a professional singer and voice teacher.

Our church is developing and implementing a new Children’s Program – Godly Play, a Feeding Program for the homeless of Yakima and strategizing new ways to reach out to people in our neighborhood, in the city of Yakima and the Yakima Valley.

The Episcopal Church

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is a member of the The Episcopal Church USA and the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. Our Presiding Bishop is The Right Reverend Gretchen M. Rehberg.