Alvin F. Waller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1808-05-08)May 8, 1808 |
| Died | December 26, 1872(1872-12-26) (aged 64) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | preacher |
| Employer | Methodist Mission |
| Known for | Willamette University |
| Spouse | Elpha White |
Alvin F. Waller (1808–1872) was an Americanmissionary inOregon Country and an early leader atWillamette University inSalem, Oregon. He was a native ofPennsylvania and helped found the firstProtestant church west of the Rocky Mountains in 1843 inOregon City.
Alvin Waller was born inAbington, Pennsylvania, on May 8, 1808.[1] He was ordained as aMethodist minister and preached on the East Seaboard of the United States. There he married Elpha White in 1833, and they would have five children.[1] In 1839, Waller was recruited by Oregon missionaryJason Lee to join his mission in theWillamette Valley.[1] Waller sailed for Oregon in October 1839 aboard theLausanne and arrived in Oregon in May 1840 as part of theMethodist Mission's "Great Reinforcement" that included other such asIra L. Babcock,George Abernethy,Josiah Lamberson Parrish, andGustavus Hines.[1]
Once in Oregon Waller was assigned to start a new branch of the main mission at the falls on theWillamette River.[1] There with the assistance of Lee theWillamette Falls Methodist Mission was established in 1840.[1] The land claim came into conflict with that of theHudson's Bay Company at that site, so DoctorJohn McLoughlin of the HBC took a personal land claim at the site.[2] In 1844, McLoughlin and Waller settled the disputed land claims with Waller and the Methodists receiving townlots, $500, and 5 acres (20,000 m2) from McLoughlin.[2]
In 1842, he helped to build the Methodist church at the falls in what becameOregon City, Oregon.[1] Finished in 1844, the church was the first Protestant church west of theRocky Mountains.[3] In 1844, after the main mission at Salem was closed, Waller was reassigned to theWascopam Mission to replace Daniel Lee and H. K. W. Perkins.[1]
In 1847, Alvin Waller moved toSalem, Oregon, and served as pastor to the old mission's congregation until 1857.[1] The following year he settled a Donation Land Claim in the city.[1] Waller began working with theOregon Institute and helped in its transition toWillamette University in 1853.[1] During this time he helped to raise funds for the construction of a new brick structure for the school that was completed in 1867 and named University Hall.[4] The building was renamed asWaller Hall in 1912 to honor him.[5] He remained active in religious and education activities and helped found several churches in Oregon in his later years. Alvin F. Waller died on December 26, 1872, at the age of 64 in Salem.[1] He was buried at theLee Mission Cemetery in that city.[6]