English: Shozui Wakabayashi, who came to Portland in 1903 as the first resident Buddhist minister, also contributed to the welfare of the early Japanese community. He found work for the young men and offered other services they needed. In addition to serving the spiritual and social needs of the city people, Wakabayashi also toured from loggers’ camp to camp and stayed with the laborers to whom he recited the Buddhist teachings. By 1911, the Oregon Buddhist Church expanded from two rented rooms to a newly constructed building, and parishioners numbered approximately 570.