Marilyn Morgan - Seattles Historic Houses of Worship

IMAGES
of America

SEATTLES
HISTORIC HOUSES
OF WORSHIP

ON THE COVER: Bishop Edward ODea celebrates his golden jubilee at St. James Cathedral around 1932. The celebration was attended and celebrated by thousands as his 50 years of service in the priesthood were honored. Bishop ODea built dozens of churches, hospitals, and schools and led the diocese through 50 years of good and bad times. (Courtesy of Archdiocese of Seattle.)

IMAGES
of America

SEATTLES
HISTORIC HOUSES
OF WORSHIP

Marilyn Morgan

Copyright 2017 by Marilyn Morgan
ISBN 978-1-4671-2638-0
Ebook ISBN 9781439661246

Published by Arcadia Publishing
Charleston, South Carolina

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016962178

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To Christine, Joyce, Rae, Tonia, Sureta, Milan, Darius, and Gavin thank you for your support and caring; because of you, I can reach for the stars.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to acknowledge all the Seattle houses of worship that participated in this book project for allowing me access to their historical files and photographs. I extend my thanks to Jim Collier of Temple de Hirsch Sinai; Claire Gebbens, historian for First Church Seattle; Rev. Phyllis Beaumonte, historian of Mount Zion Baptist Church; Rev. Aaron Williams, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church; Richard Baxendale, historian of Trinity Parish Episcopal Church; Corinna Laughlin, historian of St. James Cathedral; Alan Hoshino of Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple; Dorothy Cordova, historian of the Immaculate Conception Church; Janice Randall and Robert Turner, historians for Plymouth Congregational Church; and Diana Jones, historian for Seattle First Baptist Church. I also want to thank the University of Washington Special Collections Department.

INTRODUCTION

This book feature churches that are at least 100 years old. Throughout the years, these churches have guided their parishioners through the transformation of Seattle from a frontier town to a major metropolis, brought them through such events as the Great Seattle Fire, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement. Their history is Americas history, which I think is unique about this book on churches.

The churches have been the guiding force and the beacon of hope for their parishioners and an example and standard bearer for the city. For example, in 1909, when no church would marry an interracial couple, Rev. Herbert Henry Gowan of Trinity Parish bravely ignored the threats and backlash and performed the ceremony for the couple at the church. During the 1960s, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Seattle to speak on human rights, jobs, and equal education, most churches shied away from the iconic civil rights leader because at the time he was deemed too controversial; however, Temple de Hirsch gladly opened its doors so their worshipers could receive Kings message. Also, well before Brown v. Board of Education, the sisters from St. James Cathedral and the Immaculate Conception made it their mission to seek out a diverse student body.

These historic churches are unique because they have always been in the forefront of spiritual enlightenment and social change.

Trinity Parish is the oldest Episcopal church in the Greater Seattle area. The original church was built in 1871 but was destroyed by the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. It was rebuilt but burned down again in 1902 and rebuilt in 1903 at its current location. In its first 10 years, the church established five mission churches, and continues to be a mission church today. In 1885, Trinity Parish established Grace Hospital, one of the first hospitals in Seattle. The church was designated a national historic landmark in 1976. The church has a 700-member congregation.

The Immaculate Conception Church is the oldest standing Catholic church in the Greater Seattle area. The building was constructed in 1904. The beautiful interior has frescoes that were hand-painted by Jesuit priests who founded the church and a grotto that is an exact replica of the grotto at Our Blessed Mother in Lourdes, France. In fact, many of the artifacts in the church are priceless, and many of the statues date back as far as 1890 and are irreplaceable. Immaculate Conception was declared a historic landmark in 1974. The church has always had a strong community outreach and diversity programs. The church has a 500-member congregation.

Mount Zion Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in the state of Washington with a predominantly African American membership. Founded in 1891, it is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. The church has always been a haven and advocate for blacks, poor people, and other minorities seeking social and political justice and employment opportunities. Under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Samuel McKinney, the churchs social and political activism flourishes. Dr. McKinney was a roommate and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. McKinney was Dr. Kings lieutenant for the civil rights movement in the Pacific Northwest. The church has a 1,000-member congregation.

Temple de Hirsch is a Reform Jewish temple that was founded in 1899. During its history, it has had three locations. The third and current location was built in 1960. Samuel Goldfarb was the musical director from 1930 to 1967, and he composed I Have a Little Dreidel, a Hanukkah musical staple. Since its formation, the temple has welcomed all. The temple has a 1,400-family congregation.

St. James Cathedral was constructed in 1907 and opened its doors for the first time in December 1907, with the occasion being an organ recital performed by the newly hired musical director Dr. Franklin Palmer. The church has a rich history of spiritual guidance, education, and community outreach. Soon after the church opened in 1911, the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary founded the cathedral school. The school was open to all, including poor and minority families. The sisters sought out a diverse study bodyJapanese, African Americans, Germans, Italians, and many others shared the same space. In its first 100 years, St. James had only eight pastors, all with Irish surnamesDaniel Hanley, William Noonan, James Gordon Strafford, William Henry ONeill, John Gallagher, Thomas Gill, William Gallagher, and Michael Ryanand each left an indelible imprint on the church. The cathedral has a 3,500-member congregation.

First Church Seattle was founded in 1853 and is Seattles oldest church. It survived the Great Seattle Fire and is a progressive Methodist church.

Seattle First Baptist was founded in 1869 by 11 people. It has been the mother of several churches, including Scandinavian Baptist (1883), Japanese Baptist (1891), and Chinese Baptist (1892).

Plymouth Congregational Church was founded in 1869 and is a member of the United Church of Christ denomination. The church is known for its historical social justice advocacy, its music programs, and its work with the homeless.

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple was founded in 1901 in the Jodo Shinshu tradition, and is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America.

These nine churches have endured for well over 100 years. They have preached spirituality and fought for the rights of the poor, equal rights and treatment for minorities and immigrants, and equal housing, education, and basic human rights for all during times when it was unpopular to do so. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor popular nor politic, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is righteous.