On June 20, 1907, Cambridge (Nine Mile) and Downey Wards met together at the Cambridge Ward with the State Sunday School Superintendent, E.C. Startford, and the following members were sustained in the Downey Ward Sunday School: Superintendent, Swen F. Johnson; 1st Assistant Norman D. Van Leuven; 2nd Assistant Leo V. Johnson; Secy. & Treasurer Eva Criddle; Treasurer Joseph V. Johnson; Librarian Lorin Criddle; Organist Ida Hyde; asst. Organist Hilda Johnson; Chorister John A. Gardner. Also, at this same meeting, the following members were sustained in the Downey Ward; Primary; Sister Emma Hyde, a member of the Stake Primary Board was present; President Mary A. Whitaker; 1st Counselor Josie Hyde, 2nd counselor Lucille Layton; Secretary Mary Ware; Organist Hilda Johnson; Aid Ida Hyde.

Bishop George T. Hyde presented the following members as Officers of the Downey Ward: Ward Clerk John S. Hyde; Ward Chorister Swen F. Johnson; Asst. Chorister Mark L. Johnson; Organist Ida Hyde.

On July 7, 1907, the Saints of the Downey Ward assembled in the old school house, located in the South-east corner of the block just west of the present elementary school house, as of 1957, and with Bishop George T. Hyde presiding, the following Relief Society Officers and Teachers were sustained: President Ida Van Leuven; 1st Counselor Ellenor D. Johnson; 2nd Counselor Anna Laura Johnson; Secretary Emma Hyde; Treasurer Sarah Criddle.

At a meeting held July 28, 1907, the Mutuals of the Downey Ward were organized: President Oliver Koeford; 1st Assistant L.T. Whitaker; 2nd Assistant John Clegg; Secretary and Treasurer Joseph V. Johnson; Assistant Secretary Lorin Criddle; Chorister Mark L. Johnson; Librarian Guy T. Whitaker; President Ida Hyde; 1st Counselor Eva Criddle; 2nd Counselor Mebel Koford; Secretary and Treasurer May Underwood; Assistant Secretary Mamie Gardner; Organist Linnie Barnett; Librarian Violet Whitaker; Journal Agent Ada Underwood.

The ward in the early years of its existence led the Stake in activities. The attendance at Sacrament Meeting was as high as 70 per cent. The other activities compared to this per cent also.

In 1910, when the Hyde Block was completed, church gatherings were held in the dance hall. Each Sunday the floor was covered with canvas where the meetings were held. Classes were held in the room on the East End of the dance floor.

When the two story brick building was completed, the Ward bought the old school building and moved it to the block diagonally southeast of where it was located and placed it on the northeast corner. This was the happy meeting place for the Saints of the Downey Ward until 1933 when a new and beautiful edifice was constructed just west of the old structure. The historical record gives an interesting account of the first gathering held in the old school building after it was purchased from the school. The account--"Hearts were light at the Downey Ward Reunion."

Cambridge Ward joined Downey Ward in 1952 and Downey Ward was divided into two Wards.

On June 15, and 16, 1957, a Golden Jubilee was held in the Downey Ward at the L.D.S. Chapel celebrating the 50th anniversary date of the organization of the Downey Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

Neither fantasy nor fiction can compare with the colorful history of this community or with the perseverance, endurance and stalwart character of our pioneers who built a community and a ward here. The history of the ward is so entwined with one of our leading citizens and foremost church leader, that we also honor him, George T. Hyde, First Bishop of the Downey Ward, First President of the Portneuf Stake and a Patriarch. He has been a strong, competent, and faithful leader and has not been excelled in his record of service.

"President Hyde, many times when we and those before us have wearied of the climb, we have looked to you as we have to the peak, rising for above us in the distance, and have borrowed of his strength and ideals to carry on."

PART 2

In 1900 and before, the few settlers here making their home belonged to the Cambridge Ward, and attended meetings there for a period of about seven years. At Cambridge, they had been under the able leadership of three Bishops, William Coffin, (who was know by his associates as "Wid"), W.A. Hyde, and George T. Hyde.

In 1907 application having been made to the Presidency of the Pocatello Stake that the Downey Ward be formed from the southern part of the stake, the High Council appointed a committee consisting of H.C. Woodland, High Priest: and E.D. Harrison to investigate conditions and report as to the advisability of such division accordingly. The committee visited the ward and after making a thorough investigation of conditions reported favorably on the formation of a new ward.

It was on July 16, 1907 that President W.A. Hyde and Noah S. Pond visited the Cambridge Ward, for the purpose of carrying out the decision of the High Council. Meeting opened by singing, "Lo" The Mighty God Appearing." Samuel Newbold offered prayer. The ward choir sang, "Prayer in the Soul's Sincere Desire," Elders George Lake and John S. Hyde administered the sacrament.

President W.A. Hyde then addressed the people, and spoke of the necessity for a division of the ward, pointing out the benefits to come from the same, and advised the gathering of the Saints into settlements or communities. He suggested that just North of the Nathan Coffin residence be the dividing line for those living north and east, and at Downey for those living in the south end of the ward.

President Pond pointed out the good to acquire from the proposed division; he also spoke of the development and growth that comes to those who are called to positions of trust and responsibility, who do their duty. President Hyde then stated that the Stake Presidency and High Council had decided to divide the ward. Before the new Downey Ward organized, a new Bishopric was sustained for the Cambridge Ward. They were W.A. Dewey, Bishop; Joseph A. Brim, 1st Counselor; and W.O. Thompson, 2nd Counselor.

It was moved and seconded that the new ward be named Downey. George T. Hyde was unanimously sustained as First Bishop of the ward, with John Criddle as his First Counselor and John A. Gardner as his Second Counselor. (John A. Gardener was a teacher and a musician and played a prominent part in the musical development of the ward and of the town). John Criddle, early Marsh Valley pioneer, was the father of Elders Lorin and John Criddle, and of the President of our Stake President James A. Criddle, and also Eva Clegg, who has an unexcelled record as secretary of various organization in the Downey Ward; Sister Lonatta Hancock, Orissa Salvesen and Vinnie Barnes, who all have out standing records in Relief Society work and in service rendered in other organizations of Downey Ward. There were nineteen families in this new ward. They were the families of George T. Hyde, John S. Hyde, John A. Gardener, Swen F. Johnson, Newman D. Van Leuvan, L. Tillery Whitaker, Riley J. Dixon, Charles Johnson, George Salvesen, Olie Pedersen, William Underwood, Joseph H. Byington, Oliver Koeford, John Layton, William Clegg, John Clegg, Lars Johnson, Leander Whitaker, and John Criddle.

On June 30, 1907, Cambridge Ward and Downey Ward met together at Cambridge Ward. Bishop W.A. Dewey, new Bishop of the Cambridge Ward conducted the service. Counselors Joseph A. Brim and William O. Thompson assisted. Elder John Criddle offered prayer; George Hancock and J.S. Whitaker administered the sacrament. Assistant of the Stake Sunday School Board, Bert Merrill talked on the Sunday School. Elder E.C. Stratford Superintendent of the Stake Sunday School, presented officers of the Downey Ward Sunday School to be sustained. They were Swen F. Johnson, Newman D. Van Leuvan, Leo V. Johnson, Lorin Criddle, Eva Clegg, Grace Van Leuvan, Ida Hyde, Hilda Johnson (Fauteck), and John A. Gardener.

Emma Hyde, a member of the Primary Stake Board, presented names of those who were sustained as officers of the Primary. They were Mary A. Whitaker, Josie Hyde, Lucilla Layton, Mary A. Ware, Hilda Johnson, Ida and Emma Hyde. Bishop George T. Hyde presented the following as officers of the ward: John S. Hyde, Ward Clerk; Swen F. Johnson, Chorister; Mark L. Johnson, Assistant Chorister; Ida Hyde, Organist.

On July 7, 1907, the Saints of the Downey Ward assembled in the schoolhouse, which was, constructed the year before and which stood west of the present elementary school as of 1957 for their fist meeting in the new ward. Bishop Hyde presided at this meeting and officers of the Relief Society were presented and sustained. They were Ida Van Leuvan, Eleanor Johnson, Ann Laura Johnson, Emma Hyde and Sarah Criddle.

At a sacrament meeting held on July 18, the M.I.A. was organized with the following officers sustained: Oliver Koeford, Tillery Whitaker, John Clegg, Joseph V. Johnson, and Lorin Criddle, Mark L. Johnson, Guy T. Whitaker, Ida Hyde, Eva Clegg, Mabel Koeford, May Underwood, Manie Gardner, Linnie Barnett, Violet Whitaker, and Ada Underwood.

The ward, in the early years of its existence led the stake in activities. In the early days of the ward, the attendance at sacrament meetings was as high as 70 per cent. Everyone seemed to show a great interest the progress of the ward. Much interest was shown in the religion class work. These classes were held usually after school and the young people studied the gospel. Religion class work started functioning in the ward on November 3 of the first year. Superintendent Riley Dixon organized the work in the Downey Ward with Leo V. Johnson heading it. This work was a forerunner to the seminary work of today.

Conferences were held in Pocatello, McCammon, and as Far West as Rockland. Later when the Stake was organized, conferences were held in various wards of the stake. The record shows that meetings were postponed because of severe storms. The ward took a decided interest in prohibition and voiced a stand for the anti-saloon leagues. When World War I came along Saints were encouraged to support the service men and honor their country.

The first baptismal service was held at the Warm Springs south of Downey on July 31, 1907. Baptized were Earl Clegg, Elmo Van Leuvan, George Osmond Hyde, Elida Johnson, Lottie Marshall and Millie Underwood. Their confirmation of August 4, was the first recorded ordinance of this kind in the ward.

The first family received into the ward was the Alex Marshall family, on September 15, 1907. After this families were admitted quite frequently, swelling the ward membership quite rapidly for the first few years.

Lorin Criddle was the first missionary to leave the Downey Ward. Guy Whitaker, LeRoy Salvesen, and James Criddle were next in line.

In 1910 when Hyde Block was completed, the ward meetings were held in the dance hall, which had been covered with a large white canvass. The office rooms were used for classrooms. Then when the two-story red brick schoolhouse was completed, the ward purchased the old school house. They moved it from where it stood to across the street and east of where the chapel now stands in 1957.

An addition was added to the frame building, making it into a "T" shape. Contractors, Olie Peterson and Hyrum Newbold moved the building, remodeled and renovated it.

After the addition had been completed and meetings were resumed in the new meeting house, two classes were held in the wings, the new addition, and the remainder of the Sunday School classes were held on the main floor with curtains drawn to separate the classes.

Shortly after the meetinghouse was ready for use the record gives an interesting account of the first gathering held in this new building. The account reads: "Hearts are light at this Ward reunion". Happy gathering of the Downey Ward occurred on Wednesday afternoon and evening and proved to be one of the most enjoyable affairs of this kind ever held. The gathering was in the new building, which was open for the first time on this occasion. Decorations in festive wreaths and flags appropriate to the occasion greeted the eye. A large banner displayed the word, "Welcome". The tables for the banquets were loaded with a feast of good things and at 1:00 PM nearly 300 people were seated about the festive board. S.F. Johnson was toastmaster and in a genial manner presided during the afternoon. Twenty-five members were on the program. One of the features of the interesting program was the address of W.A. Hyde, President of the Pocatello Stake. Another feature of the program was music furnished by the Brass Band under the direction of Evan Hanson.

At the close of the program the toastmaster announced that extra toasts had been prepared and C.E. Smith, speaking in terms of highest regard on behalf of the ward, presented Bishop George T. Hyde with a solid gold watch and chain as a token of the esteem in which he is held. The case bore the legend: "To Bishop George T. Hyde from members of the Downey Ward, January 19, 1912." Another gift was that of a leather-upholstered armchair to John Criddle. Lars W. Johnson made the presentation speech and spoke of the great esteem in which he is held by all. The general committee for the event was announced and included the Bishopric, George T. Hyde, John Criddle, O.P. Merrill, S.F. Johnson, L.W. Johnson, D.H. Sedgwick, Emma Hyde, M.D. Van Leuvan, Walter Spakman, David Johnson, E.C. Smith, A.R. Woodruff, Alice Merrill, Mrs. Charles Wakley and Mrs. M.D. Van Leuvan. The Relief Society had the banquet in charge with Ida Van Leuvan, President supervising. The evening was turned over to dancing.

On September 12, 1915, sacrament meeting was held in the Downey Ward with Bishop George T. Hyde presiding. Present was W.W. Henderson, Counselor in the new Portneuf Stake Presidency. He said that the time had arrived to reorganize the Downey Ward. Bishop Hyde had been called into the Stake Presidency of the New Portneuf Stake. President Henderson commented on President Hyde's seventeen years of service in the Bishopric, eight years as Bishop of the Downey Ward. He said he had been faithful in the attendance of all of his duties as a Bishop and Counselor. It was proposed that Bishop Hyde and his counselors be released.

Orin Preston Merrill was sustained as Bishop of the Downey Ward with Franklin B. Flint and Martin Thomas as Counselors. The new Bishopric expressed them concerning their new calling after which President Hyde gave a general history of the growth of the Downey Ward and adjacent wards. He said the growth in the future would be greater than in the past, conditions being different and favorable.

On July 15, 1917m Bishop O.P. Merrill presided at sacrament meeting in the Downey Ward for the last time. He had sold his property at Downey and leaving to make his home in Preston. He thanked the people for the support and friendship given him while he was their Bishop.

On July 22, 1907, Counselor Frank B. Flint presided and conducted the meeting. The Stake Presidency was in attendance and spoke very highly of Bishop Merrill. President Hyde then released him and sustained as Bishop Brother M.A. Thomas with Frank B. Flint and Leander T. Whitaker as Counselors.

Along with the regular meetings of the ward, entertainment was carried on. Dramatics often directed by S.F. Johnson played an important part in the ward. (President Hyde said. "S.F. Johnson was the best organizer and advertiser that the ward had ever had") Music and dancing all so had their part in the growth and development of the new ward. Square dancing filled many an evening of fun and entertainment for the Saints who usually brought their young children and put them to bed on chairs about the building.

At a ward conference on July 23,1923 to which 180 ward members were in attendance, the Bishopric was again reorganized. Bishop M.A. Thomas, who served for six years as Bishop and his Counselors, L.T. Whitaker and Peter Christiansen, were released with a vote of thanks for their splendid service. Sustained were Brother J.F. Hartvigsen as Bishop with C.W. Taylor and James A. Criddle Counselors. Lorin Criddle, who had been Ward Clerk, served in this Bishopric, replacing his brother, James, when they moved into the Cambridge Ward.

At the advice of Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, and after consultation with him and President George T. Hyde at a meeting at the Hyde home, Bishop J.R. Hartvigsen called a mass meeting for ward members to consider the possibility of building a new meeting house and amusement hall. At this first meeting held on December 4, 1930, Bishop Hartvigsen preside and explained the purpose of the meeting. The possibility of making the proposed building a ward and Portneuf Stake house was considered but it was found that the stake would not support such a move.

Dr. H.L. Hartvigsen made a motion that a building suitable for our needs be built. The motion was carried and included that the Bishopric appoints a committee to investigate the cost of such a building. The committee appointed was Brothers William Bickmore, M.A. Thomas, W.E. Burrup, and Peter Christiansen.

Various entertainments were put on to raise funds such as dinners, dramas and various dances.

Peter Christiansen reported at the next meeting that the committee had visited a meeting house and amusement hall at Mink Creek and thought it would be about what was needed. A motion was made that the report of the committee be accepted.

While this planning was going on, another change was made in the Bishopric. On May 3, 1931, Lorin Criddle was released as 2nd Counselor and sustained as lst, replacing C.W. Taylor who moved from the Ward. S. LeRoy Salvesen was sustained as 2nd Counselor. In the following meeting Lorin Criddle gave a report on the building and said the original plans had been changed somewhat, and while a cheaper building had been decided upon, it was considered sufficient to fill our needs.

Allen Hendricks who had been called into help with the building plans spurred the members on to cooperate and asked for united effort to complete the building. The first work and ground breaking was begun June 9. 1931.

M.A. Thomas, W.E. Burrup, John Criddle and S. LeRoy Salvesen, building committee, worked diligently and untiringly, as did other members of the committee.

The first meeting was held in the new building on December 6, 1931. The building committee gave their report and every one expressed pleasure at the progress made. Although it was not fully completed or paid for, they were glad to be able to hold meetings in it.

During the completion of the building a change in the Bishopric was made. Bishop J.F. Hartvigsen had served eleven years and on January 18, 1934, he and his counselors were released.

Brother William Bickmore, a leading figure in the building committee, was sustained as Bishop with M. Ray Thomas and Hiram Jensen as Counselors.

In 1934, the members of the ward got together and decided to sponsor a progressive supper to raise funds to finish paying the debt on the building so that it might be dedicated. Different countries were represented. Hawaii was depicted at the home of Brother and Sister M.A. Thomas, where girls dressed in Hawaii costumes served fruit cocktail. At the home of John E. Criddle, seated on the floor to represent Japan, they were served chicken and noodles with forks for chopsticks. At the home of Jerry Christiansen, the party goers were treated to German dishes and at the Parley Bright home cake and ice cream representing the United States, was served.

Bishop Bickmore, who was also an important business man in our community, operating a grocery store, served for five years in the Bishopric. On May 22, 1939, he, with W.E. Burrup, who had replaced Ray Thomas in the group, and Hiram Jensen were released; and sustained were L. Mitchel Jones with counselors, Elmer Hartvigsen and Percy Burrup. Engene England and J. Milton Hyde these counselors, Brother Hartvigsen being called into the Stake Presidency and Percy Burrup having moved to Arimo because of school duties and was called into the high council of the Stake. They served until July 8, 1945, when J. Milton Hyde was sustained as Bishop, with Kenneth Bickmore and Hervin Nielsen as Counselor and Milo Christensen as Ward Clerk. Kenneth Bickmore moved from the ward and Brother Nielsen was made 1st Counselor on May 26, 1946, and Elmer Bright was sustained as 2nd Counselor. On January 26, 1947, Elmer Bright was released and Stanford Christensen was sustained as 2nd Counselor.

In May of 1942, the Woodland members were welcomed into the Downey Ward. They had been under the able leadership of Bishop Fred Browning. Because of members moving from the ward, their number had dwindled until it was difficult to officer the ward. Grant Ward faced the same situation and was welcomed into the Downey Ward on January 1, 1945. Leslie Burrup had been their Bishop.

During Bishop J. Milton Hyde's calling as Bishop of the Ward the largest record of missionaries going out into the mission field was made in the history of the ward as of 1957.

Following the advice of the general authorities, and under the supervision of the Portneuf Stake Presidency, James A. Criddle, Willis L. Brim and Henry Cammack, on December 14, 1952, a meeting was held and it was decided that the ward should be divided and the Cambridge Ward should be accepted into the ward. Brother Wayne C. Penrose was Bishop of the Cambridge Ward. The dividing line set for the division of the ward was all north of center street and east of the highway included Cambridge, were to belong to Downey Ward and all south of center street and west of the highway were to belong in Downey Second Ward. This included the people of Grant and Woodland.

Sustained as Bishop of the Second Ward were E. Dean Henderson, High School Principal and a descendent of a family of early Marsh Valley Pioneers. Counselors were Stanford C. Christensen, who had served faithfully in the Downey Ward, and Dan Barnes, who had been superintendent of the Y.M.M.I.A. Max Valentine and Kenneth Nisson were Ward Clerks.

In the Downey Ward, chosen to replace Stanford Christensen was Milo Christensen with Willis Barfuss and Fred Hadley as Ward Clerks.

On October 11, 1952, Counselor Milo Christensen, who had also served as Ward Clerk since February 17, 1944 and as President of the 1st Quorum of Elders for many years was sustained as Bishop of the Downey Ward. Chosen as his Counselors was Golden Wise, a descendant of one of the early families and Wendell Whitaker, youngest son of the original Whitaker family.

As of 1957 the Downey Wards continue, under the able leadership of Bishop Milo Christensen and E. Dean Henderson. Members have grown from nineteen families and 85 members to 127 families and 937 members in the two wards.

Auxiliary and church programs are carried out according to instructions sent out by General Authorities, and by Stake Officers. Officers and teachers have made many records of service. The ward has been blessed with outstanding musical talent. Always we have had leaders and teachers in this field. Activity leaders of the auxiliaries carry on dramatics and dancing. These sisters and brothers are too numerous to mention and too important to not be mentioned, should one be missed.

Good care and concern has continued in the area of the still new chapel, largely due to our fine custodians and to several cleaning, renovation and addition projects supervised and planned by our Bishoprics since the day of its construction. New changes to add beauty and convenience to the building when possible have been made. The present Bishoprics are working on an addition project too much need space. Over and above all, the one thought and fact stands out, beyond all else. The Gospel has not changed. The same religion that was taught by Bishop George T. Hyde, S.F. Johnson, L.T. Whitaker, John Criddle, Newman D. Van Leuvan, Riley S. Dixon, Oren P. Merrill, J. Milton Hyde, in those early days, is the religion that is taught by our leaders in 1957. It is not changed. It never grows old, beautiful in its conception today as always, it holds great promise for the faithful soul who serves and endures to the end.

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