Our
History
Our History,
God's Story
Imago Dei has been worshipping together for the last 25 years, but our buildings have a rich history of worship that starts long before.
Make sure you’re subscribed to our podcast, as we’re releasing a few extra episodes that explore the history of our church and how that impacts the vision for the future.
1931
Portland Foursquare Church
In the midst of the Great Depression, the Foursquare community prayed together and purchased the property at 13th and Ankeny for their new church. They raised money, built the church and dedicated it in September 1931. This building is now used for Imago Dei events and offices, and is shared with many local nonprofits including BibleProject.
1976
The new sanctuary building completed
After 4 decades of ministry and church growth, including expansions to the original building at 13th and Ankeny, the city block to the east was purchased by Portland Foursquare and a new sanctuary was constructed. This is the sanctuary we now worship in every Sunday.
2000
The first gathering of Imago Dei Community
Rick and Jeanne McKinley planted Imago Dei Community in October of 2000, with a desire to see a church in the heart of Portland, preaching the gospel of Jesus and serving the city. We started meeting at the chapel at Warner Pacific College before moving to Old Laurelhurst Church on SE 32nd and Ankeny by June of 2001.
2002
Imago starts reaching out to the city
Serving the city has been a pivotal part of Imago Dei’s DNA since the very beginning. The first outreach efforts toward Portland included the Letty Owings Center (addiction recovery) and ministries for street youth and the homeless. Imago’s first official office was less than half a mile from where we meet today.
2006
Advent Conspiracy launched + Sundays at Franklin
Outgrowing the sanctuary at Old Laurelhurst pushed Imago to a new location, renting the auditorium at Franklin High School. A robust crew of volunteers was necessary to set up and tear down the church every Sunday. Advent Conspiracy was launched at Advent 2006, which reframed the way many of us had been taught to celebrate Christmas and has grown into a worldwide movement.
2007
Love Portland
An expansion of an earlier outreach called Sacred Spaces, Love Portland was launched at Imago in the summer of 2007. Our aim was to clean up and beautify a handful of Portland public schools before the new school year began. The following summer, we invited other churches to join in and it became a city-wide event for many years.
2008
Refuge
Refuge is a courageous community committed to mental, spiritual, and emotional healing and flourishing. We believe transformation happens in the good soil of honest self-reflection, accountability, acceptance, and encouragement. Launched in 2008, Refuge has become a foundation of Imago’s culture of authenticity.
2010
Moved into our current home
Imago Dei Community finds a home on SE Ankeny again. In June of 2010, we purchased and moved into our current campus, the Portland Foursquare buildings, humbled and praising God that we would be entrusted with two city blocks in the heart of Portland.
2015
Eastside gathering launched
Eastside Imago Dei was launched on Easter Sunday in 2015, the same year that we began our annual "Saving Justice" teaching series. Today, Eastside operates independently but is connected by a common mission, shared theology, covenant relationships, and a desire to holistically proclaim Jesus.
2021
Imago changes to a mutualist position on women and men in ministry
After an extensive research and discernment process by the elders and pastors, we officially changed our theological position to allow women to serve in every position in the church. In February of 2022, our first female elders were commissioned.
2023
Lead pastor transition
After 23 years of faithful leadership, Pastor Rick McKinley transitioned to the role of Founding Pastor, stepping out of day-to-day leadership of the Church. Chris Nye was commissioned as our new lead pastor after an extensive search process. Our community is grateful to God for providing a pastor who is such a great fit for our congregation.
2024
Covenant Community relaunched
To consecrate our communal life together, Covenant Community was relaunched after a season of transition with fresh vision, in order to gather all who are committed and invested in the life of Imago Dei.
2025
Leadership community launched
Leadership is best done together. To further strengthen and encourage our church, the diaconate ministry was relaunched at Imago Dei as a part of the newly formed Leadership Community, which includes all elders, pastors, staff, deacons, and ministry overseers. 2 new elders, 25 Deacons, and 11 new ministry overseers were commissioned.
October 2025
“A Sanctuary for the City” initiative begins
As we celebrate 25 years of God’s grace at Imago Dei, we sense the Spirit leading us to imagine the next 25 years together as a church on mission for the sake of our city. We are calling this season “A Sanctuary for the City.” This two-year, Spirit-led invitation is meant to increase our own participation in God’s mission by strengthening our physical presence in Portland to multiply our ability to serve the city and share Jesus.
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