The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
Total of Fifty-Four Religious
Institutions.
MANY NEW EDlFIcEs BUILT.
Aggregate Membership of More Than
Ten Thousand.
Great Advances in Church building
and Paroehial Work Organization

The spiritual and moral welfare of Seattle
Is far from being neglected, although the
rapid increase of population has out
stripped the accommodations afforded by
church edinces. Several small gatherings,
which were counted among the churches
OF the city last year, hardly deserved the
name. These have blossomed out into
fourishing congregations. Six or seven
churches, which were contemplated last
year. are now completed. or nearing COM
pletion. and most gratifying increase is
noticeable as result
Several very notable changes have taken
place in the pulpits. ST. Marks church
has passed into the rectorate Of Rev. David
Claiborne Garrett, d. D., an eloquent and
earnest clergyman. formerly of Davenport,
Ia, and marked improvement has taken
place. A fine surpliced choir has been
trained. and the ritual of the Church of
England is observed with conservative f.
deity. No less important is the advent
of Rev. Roderick Stebhins, the brilliant
son of a most distinguished father, who
recently accepted a call to occupy the pulpit
of the Unitarian church. taking the place
OF the learned Ernest G. Smith, who pre-
ferred to respond to request that he
preach in Denver. 1t was with much re-
greet that the congregation of the First
Methodist Episcopal church separated
from Rev. d. D. Campbell, who after
long service in Seattle returned to his old
home in New York state. He has been
succeeded by Rev. Levi Gilbert, d. D.,
whose reputation as divine had preceded
him, and he was welcomed by the entire
evangelical church as most desirable ac-
QUESTION. Among those whom the new
arrivals found already installed in the
esteem of the people and the affections of
their congregations are several whose ahil-
ity is none the less although their presence
has become familiar. The personal mag
netism and earnest eloquence of Rev.
George A. Tewkshury has placed his church
among athe foremost two or three in the
city. Rev. George j. Burchett, Rev. Isaiah
W. Read. Dean Watson, Rev. Clark Davis
Rev. Benjamin Parsons and many Others
have distinguished themselves by their
zeal in church and parochial work as the
great increase in the number of churches
and in their attendance amply testihes.
Last year the number of churches or
associations was forty-hve; this year it is
fifty-four, with several missions occupy
ing rented rooms. 1t was difficult last
year to get at the church membership, be-
cause people had become so scattered after
the iire, but it was about 1000. This year
it can be appropriated more nearly. and
is in the neighborhood of 10000. The at
tendance is considerably greater, prob
ably l4,000 or 5000.
Several very fine buildings have been
erected during the year, but it was very
trying time for most people on account of
the many calls upon them for subscrip-
tons to various objects due to the sudden
growth. to say nothing of the extensive
building upon land owned by the wealth.
Ter residents, street improvements and
other unusual expenses.
Denominations and Languages.
The various denominations are repre-
Coafflo follntuc.