In the early 1900's a small church was formed in Oak Harbor involving the Christian Reformed and the Presbyterian denomination. This new struggling church was foundering receiving no money from the Christian Reformed Church and relying solely on the Presbyterian Board of Missions for its existence. It appears that in the next four years this early church became known as the Presbyterian Church as early records contain no further mention of the Christian Reformed denomination.

As this church grew with the influx of Hollanders moving to Oak Harbor there was a demand for a Dutch speaking pastor. Since the Presbyterians could not meet the language need, the Reformed Church did, resulting in First Reformed Church in 1905. The building which we now occupy was conceived and completed in 1929 at a total cost of $10,000. The pulpit furniture, following the gothic style of the church, was all hand carved by the Reverend Vander Woude, a master wood carver. The well built parsonage which served the pastor and his family at that time lies just back of the present "Blue House."

New Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor.
In March of 1963 the Presbytery of Bellingham extended a call to the Reverend Arnold O. Pederson to become the organizing pastor in Oak Harbor. The first worship service was held on September 8, 1963 at the Junior High School with 53 in attendance. This new church received support from the Board of National Missions. Session meetings were held in the homes of the members and pastor Pederson. The session decided to accept the offer of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church to share their facilities at $165.00 per month. The Reverend Pederson remained with this newly organized church four years, leaving in 1967.

The Reverend Dwight Whipple accepted the call to serve the new church in Oak Harbor and was ordained in September 1969. He and his wife Judy, son Tim and daughter Lorna served the church for fifteen years until 1983. Early in Dwight's ministry, while at St. Stephen's, information came that our present building, vacated by the Peace Reformed Church, was available for rent with the option to buy. At this time the membership of Whidbey Presbyterian Church was less than 100 members. In September of 1970, an offer was made to purchase this building for $50,000 (church building $20,000 and property $30,000). Negotiations of this purchase had been completed by the following year and by September 1971 the new church received money for the loans; monthly payments to be $198.27 increasing in the next five years to $310.00. In April 1979 we began work on the new addition, Heritage Hall, which was completed and dedicated in 1983. At the same time, we continue to move forward on expanding the ministry capability of Heritage Hall, having completed a new kitchen facility early in 2006.  It is exciting to see where God is leading us in the future!