History

The name Onecho came from the pioneer post office run by Mr. J.R. Wicks, who was known as "The Father of Onecho." The Onecho Bible Church has its roots in a group of Methodists that began meeting in 1876. Charter members were the W.F. Hickmans and the Samuel Ensleys. Added shortly were the Henry Ensley's and others. A log school house at the foot of Cemetery Hill was the first place of gatherings, followed later by an unpainted,
rough-board building known as "The Old Brown Schoolhouse".

In the year 1890, families from Germany and Switzerland of Mennonite persuasion began attending and working with the Methodists in the church. Among the families were Rubins, Aeschlimans, Stevicks, Schlunegers, Nafzigers, Roulets, Allenbaughs and others. The organization of the
Mennonites as a church group took place in 1893. Meeting in a private home, and under the direction of the General Conference of Mennonites of North
America field director, they became the First Mennonite Church of Colfax, Washington. On the same day, Paul R. Aeschliman was selected as pastor. Rev. Aeschliman would preach his sermons in German, which were repeated afterwards in English. The Sunday School was carried on by the American Sunday School Union.

In 1895, the need for a new church was discussed, and through the cooperation of both Methodists and Mennonites, a church building was soon built on property donated by J.I. Tompkins, now the site of the present church. In 1926, the church was rebuilt, and in 1964 an educational and administrative addition was built. By a vote of the congregation in 1964, the name was changed to The Onecho Bible Church. The present sanctuary was completed in 1981, and the present Family Center was dedicated on July 4th 1998.