Drawing of the Oysterville Church by Noel Thomas, 2019.
Of all the historic buildings on our Long Beach Peninsula — (well, maybe discounting the Cape D. Lighthouse) — I do believe that our little historic church here in Oysterville is the most photographed, painted, visited, and revered of any other structure in the area. I say that with some confidence. A number of years ago (maybe 30), Nancy Lloyd painstakingly counted the signatures in the Visitors Book which has been kept in the lobby since the church was first restored in the 1980s. After laboriously tallying several years’ worth, she came up with an average of 10,000 signatures a year — names from visitors all over the country and all around the world! And judging by the folks who pause in front of our house just across the street to take pictures or by the artusts and their easles in the churchyard, I’d say the numbers of visitors and admirerers have continued to increase.
Church From On High by Bob Duke and his Drone, 2021.
I have no idea how many marriages have taken place in the little church. Nor have I kept track of the musicians who have asked permission to record CDs there to take advantage of the building’s phenomenal acoustics. Our Summer Music Vespers services which occur each Sunday afternoon from Father’s Day through Labor Day Weekend are close to Standing Room Only, and it’s seldom that I go over to replenish the Oysterville Walking Tours that I don’t find visitors sitting quietly enjoying the peace and tranquility that the little building offers. I think my great-grandfather, R. H. Espy (who donated the property and the amazing sum of $1500.00 to build the church in 1892) would be well pleased.
Church in late 1940s (before 1980 restoration). Note boarded up steep, missing shutters etc.
But time, to say nothing of the annual wear and tear brought by 20,000+ feet and hands, can’t help but take its toll. So, the Oysterville Restoration Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to maintain the Historic Oysterville Church) has recently launched an ambitious letter-writing/fund-raising campaign reaching out to the greater community for assistance. It says, in part:
Church Donation Sign in May 2026
ORF has stewarded the church since the late 1970s, and numerous exterior and interior preservation projects have been completed through the years. In January, ORF retained architect Erik Fagerland and Associates to assess the exterior condition of the church — from the foundation to the bell tower — and recommend preservation measures according to the Department of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The architect identified multiple areas in need of work, including the roof, bell tower, siding, windows, shutters, trim, and exterior paint. The total preliminary estimated cost for the project is nearly $275,000, and ORF is currently seeking grants and private donations to fund it. In the past few weeks, we’ve raised nearly $115,000 in private donations.
Going up! July 24, 2026.
If you are one of our many visitors, if you have enjoyed the church over the years, if you have sought solace within its welcoming walls, please consider helping us with this project, and sending your donation to The Oysterville Restoration Foundation, P.O. Box 71, Oysterville, WA 98641. Every contribution helps — and when you next visit Oysterville, take a look at the “thermometer” in the churchyard which is measuring our progress! Your contribution will be reflected there and will be put to good use as the work begins! Thank you! And see you at Vespers Sunday!
Fun memory of the church…couples sometimes hold their weddings there. One day, Sydney and I witnessed such an event from across the street in her yard. The bride and groom and a small group of friends and family were just coming out of the church, and we congratulated the new husband and very pregnant wife. She told us that she was about to have a girl, and because they married in Oysterville, they were considering naming her Pearl,