Yakima Buddhist Church

The early Japanese pioneers played a major role in the history of the Yakima Valley by clearing sagebrush from this vast virgin land and planting nurseries, orchards and row crops.

Among these early pioneers, Jinzaburo Mizuta became very concerned with the moral well-being of these early Japanese settlers who had concentrated in a sizable number in the area. In about 1920, the Seattle Buddhist Church embarked upon a missionary program and sent two ministers for periodic visits to the Yakima Valley.

In 1929, these pioneers decided to organize a Buddhist Sangha (congregation) and a building committee was formed. A three-year pledge plan was adopted with a goal of $5,000. The altar and a statue of Amida Buddha were donated by two dedicated Buddhists. With much pride and joy the dedication service for the completion of the church in Wapato was observed on March 15, 1930. Rev. Ryujo Nagoya was assigned as the first resident minister from the Honpa Hongwanji (the Jodo Shinshu sect's mother church) in Kyoto, Japan.

For nearly a century, the Yakima Buddhist Church has been proud to be a part of the community and history of our beautiful valley.