The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-04-11
Sunday, April IL, 1880.
SEATTLE CHURCHES.

Thefully organized, working churches
of Seattle number seven, and are re-
spectively one each of the Methodist
Episcopal. Methodist Protestant, Ro-
man Catholic, Protestant Episcopal,
Congregational, Baptist and Presby
terrain denominations. Their condition
at this time is generally one of prosper
ity. Accessions to membership have
been numerous of late. attendance Is
greater than eser before. and thor
oughly good feeling prevails. Several
Of the churches arc proving of entirely
too limited recommendation for tneir
increasing congregations. Additions
TO buildings 1t Treseut occupied are
contemplated in at least three in
stsncss,: and in three others new
buildings are 10 view. The In
TELLi0ENoER has been to some
little trouble to obtain accurate infor-
nation concerning the churches above
named, which is here presented its
readers.
The oldest of the present organiza-
tlons is that OF the Methodist Episcopa-
lians, which dates back to 1866. In
that year, when Seattle was hamlet
OF less than dozen families. Rev Mr.
Blaine organized here church and
Sunday School. each Of about half
dozen members. One-half the build
ing at present in use was then erected,
and served for nearly score Of years
ell the purposes Of the little ccngrega.
ton. The struggle for life was stoutly
maintained, with rcsults now most
gratifying. The pfeseut membership
81 the church is about 200, and Of the
Sunday School $50 pupils. Great
gains have been made by both Of late,
the latter nearly doubling in four
months and the membership of
the former being increased by
90 practitioners. Bsptisms have
also besn very numerous. Much
activity prevails in the church, no less
than seven prayer meetings week be-
ing held under it's auspices in different
parts Of the town. No such season Of
prosperity has ever before been sxper>
fenced In Seattle By this church A the
Nne now enjoyed. This happy atatc Of
alfsirs makes necessary an immtdiate
increase Of room, which will he secured
by putting brick basement under the
church this summer. Rev. I. II. De,
Wore 10 pastor at this time. 8
Tho church Of tho Protestant Metho-
dists. commonly known as the Brown
Church, Was built in 1865, the society
being organized the same year. For
fifteen years Rev. II. Bagisy was ITS
pastor, and before that he preached in
the church OF the Methodist Episcopal.
ians. Mr.. Bagley was the organizer
OF the hrst permanent Sunday School
Ia Seattle, from which have since
sprung sehools Of every other Protest
ant denomination in tho town. now
containing an aggregate Of over 700
children. The church when first or
gauixed had : membership Of only
half-a-doxen persons. Its present
] strength We have been unable 70 learn,
hut Il iaSreet Fully 600 persons are
connected. directly and indirectly. with
Il. including Sunday School Of COO,
the largest in the Territory. The
building 10 crowded to its utmost every
Sunday, and the basement aud gallery
have to be- utilized for the school, as
we'll % the auditorium. At least q
hundred persons are turned away every
: sunday ovoning on account of o lack OF
roam inside. The church will have to
DO enlarged. or new one built 10 ito
place. DR.. 8. A. Baker 10 the present
PASTOR The recent revival in this
church has resulted in rich harvest
Tor Christ. Ia the former part of the
meeting, some disturbing elements
were present.. These were soon elm
mated, and the work advanced stsAdily,
without unhealthy excitement. The
conventions. from frat to last, were
marked by An earnest, intelligent.
thoughtful inQuiring after truth, and il
h believed ssse.al scorss were brou sht
10 the BAvios. Foety have alresdy
united with the church. and some fif-
teen OF more ere candidates for admis-
sion.
The Presby terrain Church was organ,
ised IN Deccmbcr. 1885. with . mcui,
bership OF 8 persons. Rev. g. +,
Whitworth preached for them several
years, but Rev. Theodore Crowl was
shs fret regular pastor. For Sysars the
PfesbytsriAns worshipped II the
church OF the Protestant Msthodista
but in 1877 they built the .hsads6we
church they now oce0Ry, TIE proaon(
memhsrship Of the church 81 IS, and oil
The Sunday school so. Eghtssn per.
sons have been added 10 the member.
. ship during tAs past gear. Ths church
10 temporarily without . pastor. The
prospsots. however, are bright, and al
connected With the church ieel enccnr,
aged.
During tho 6rss week In December
1867, Rev. y. X. Prefontaine came her,
from Port Townsend fox the purpos,
Of establishing in Seattle the Catholi,
Church. He took tho house, on Thirt
street. at present occupied By DR. E I
Smith - . residence. and there plant
Cd the crcsa On the first Sunda,
after his arrival. he celebrated Mass il
ono Of The roops. Which. small Is i
Was. vas moro than large enough fo
the ccngrsgstien. Bas, four persons
attended. namely Hrs. Mcdonald
Are Collins, Mira HArmon aud : ma,
Whose name We have not ID August
l6o6 The priest named. and who d,
since had nnbroken charge OF the fislll
undertook tho work a bu,ldinr
church. Twelve months after his loca
ton here. he had mcaay enough 4