Praying for Oregon Counties: Columbia

 

Columbia River, Columbia County
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

 

Columbia County was named after the Columbia River, which forms its northern and eastern boundaries. It was created in 1854 from the northern half of Washington County and is the third smallest county in the state after Multnomah and Hood River. It currently has a population of about 50,000 people.

 

St. Helens, a town of roughly13,000 that was named after Mt. St. Helens which sits 40 miles away in Washington, is the county seat. Lewis and Clark camped near the site of St. Helens during their trip to the Pacific in 1805 and again on their return trip in 1806. Fur traders set up camps in the area as well, as early as 1810. 

 

It’s a pretty county. The main industries are forestry, fishing, dairy farming, horticulture, water transportation and recreation. St. Helens is close enough to Portland (about thirty miles) that living there and working in Portland is an option for many. My (now deceased) cousin lived in St. Helens and worked in Portland as a TriMet driver. 

Public Boat Dock, St. Helens, Oregon

Other small towns in Columbia County include Skappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie and Vernonia. Interesting bit of trivia: In 1998 the Disney Channel shot the first of what would become four Halloweentown movies in St. Helens. The town celebrates the Spirit of “Halloweentown” for the entire month of October each year. 

 

Columbia County has a three-person Board of Commissioners that works out of St. Helens. They are elected every four years. Currently, Henry Heimuller, Casey Garrett, and Margaret Magruder are the commissioners. 

Columbia River, Columbia County

How do we pray for Columbia County?

 

Like most places, the county faces the same issues caused by the pandemic as everyone else. Pray for schools to resume, the health of the population, and economic recovery. We also pray for supernatural wisdom for the leaders in both the county and the towns.

 

I don’t know that Columbia County is any more prone to natural disasters than any other area of Oregon, but there is mention of some towns, especially Vernonia, being susceptible to flooding, and of course St. Helens is close to the mountain that erupted in 1980. 

 

I will close with Psalm 46:1-5.

 

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

  

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