Port Chilkoot Bible Church founding pastor and local builder Wendell J. Terwilliger, 87, died at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage on Jan. 23.
Terwilliger suffered a heart attack while sweeping the Indian Valley Bible Chalet, a church he built south of Anchorage and which he had served as pastor for the last 21 years. His family said he had been in good health.
A funeral is scheduled for Jan. 29 at the Chapel by the Sea in Anchorage, where Terwilliger preached for 13 years before starting the church in Indian.
Terwilliger studied for the ministry at Bob Jones University in Tennessee, graduating in 1952. He was ordained and came to Ketchikan, where he had worked in a cold storage during college. He married Marion Patricia “Pat” Cozzens, his college sweetheart and lifelong partner in ministry, in Arlington, Va., in 1954. Her father was a stone mason who helped build the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., and may have inspired his new son-in-law to build churches, the family said.
The Terwilligers returned to Alaska, choosing Haines sight unseen. Terwilliger, who had been a Methodist, believed he was called by God to build a non-denominational community church. He built the Port Chilkoot Bible Church, and while a pastor there, built the original health clinic for Dr. Stan Jones, as well as homes and businesses, including the Haines Home Building store.
“Wendell was an excellent builder, easy to get along with, and very gentle with his ministry. He didn’t push anything on you. He was a good man, who practiced what he preached,” said Bruce Gilbert, whose home Terwilliger built.
The Terwilligers lived in Haines through 1974, returning to fill in at the Bible church from 1976-1978. Their seven children graduated from Haines High School.
Wendell Junior Terwilliger was born on Dec. 2, 1927, in Calhoun County, Mich. to Rev. Silas and Fern Terwilliger. His father was a Methodist minister, as had been his grandfather. Two of his brothers are also ministers. “He came from a long line of ministers, I’m not sure how far back,” said his son Rev. David Terwilliger, an Episcopal priest in Anchorage.
After being ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Wendell Terwilliger chose non-denominational churches to minister in because he felt he could reach more people without the restrictions of doctrine. “He had a deep sense of personal piety and gospel evangelism, as well as service to others, and he knew where he was with Christ. I believe that’s what drew people to him,” his son said.
After leaving Haines, Terwilliger worked at churches in Fairbanks and Auke Bay before moving to Anchorage in 1978 to pastor at the Chapel by the Sea. He was co-chair of the board that brought the 1984 Billy Graham Crusade to Anchorage.
David Terwilliger said his father was fun to be around and had a great sense of humor, often singing or whistling “The Old Rugged Cross” or “How Great Thou Art” while he worked.
Wendell Terwilliger is survived by his wife Pat Terwilliger of Indian; children Tim of Wasilla, Daniel of Anchorage, Rev. David of Anchorage, Teresa Peterson of Wasilla, Bonnie Fischer of Wasilla, Janette Davis of Anchorage, and Elizabeth Kretcshmer of Anchorage. His family also included siblings Rev. Albert Terwilliger of Yucaipa, Calif.; Rev. Gaylord Terwilliger of Dutton, Mich., and Yvonne Herwich of Roeland Park, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Donations in the Rev. Wendell Terwilliger’s name may be made to the Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607. Cards may be sent to Pat Terwilliger, 29135 Seward Highway, Indian, AK 99504.