McCall, Idaho
In 1912, before the railroad reached the "Long Valley of Idaho", Episcopal Bishop, Daniel Sylvester Tuttle occasionally traveled north from Boise to hold Episcopal services in McCall. By 1916, the Reverend A.L. Wood was holding services in a frame building called St. Andrew's Church. The church's progression and regression in McCall paralleled employment opportunities in this area of mining, logging, and sheep farming, but in 1960, Bishop Norman L. Foote dedicated a new St. Andrew's Church, built on the corner of Forest and Gamble Streets. In 1962 the "Fireside Room" and Sunday School addition was added, using donated funds and volunteer labor. A lovely wooded lot adjacent to the church building was purchased and plans are being made for the use of this area.
In recent years St. Andrew's has maintained an active presence in McCall by offering regular worship services, a summer Reading Camp, an After-School program, and by joining with other local churches to sponsor "Soup & Scripture". At the present time, a priest celebrates Holy Eucharist twice a month and on Holy Days, and lay leaders conduct Morning Prayer at other times. Lay leaders also bring Holy Communion to nursing home residents and others who cannot attend regular services.
The future of St. Andrew's is bright. The Vestry is working toward securing a full-time priest and the congregation is open and welcoming to all who are searching for a church home.
