The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-27
A PIONEER CHURCH.
First Baptist Congregation and
Its Pastor.
Or. euRchETT's ACTIVE LIFE,
smaii BeEianinEs From which His
church Has Gfown-New Building
Under Contsmplstisn.

Twelve churches and missions in this city
and vicinity and in Ballard testify to the
Importance Of the work gathering around
the Baptist name. The First church. To-
Gated on Fourth street between Cherry
and James streets, was, as its name inn
plies. the first organization in Seattle and
still retains the leading position by reason
OF its large and influential membership.
Rev. George ]. Bnrchett, its pastor,
comes OF Revolutionary stock, his great
grandfather having been an officer in that
struggle. His sword remained with his
iamiiy until taken away by . Confederate
ofncer for use in the civil war. Mr.. Burch-
EFT is related to tho weli-known DR.. David
Jayne and the orator, Daniel Doughsrty,
both lately of Philadelphia.
The subject of the sketch was born in
Lee county, Virginia. in 1S47. He began the
study Of theology in William Jewell college,
Missouri, in 1859. graduating in 1874. He
also took another course of study at the
old Chicago university. He came to Ore
gon in 1877, living about twelve years in
that state. In this part of the world he
has occupied number Of the most promi-
nent posts in the Baptist denomination.
he was president of the state Baptist col
lege at McMiunville, Or, for three years.
and procured the means for the erection
OF its present fine buildings, leaving tho
institution in . splendid financial state.
lie was for two years editor of the Baptist
Beacon, the denominational paper for the
Pacific coast. and was . contributor to .
number of other journals. Mr.. Burchett
has also been prominent in the councils OF
the church. having represented the de-
nomination in many state and general
assemblies. During three years he also
acted as state missionary for Oregon. He
has assisted in building and dedicating
twenty-three houses of worship and one
college building. He is president of the
board of trustees of the University of Sc
attic, and moderator of the North west
Baptist convention.
The first steps to organize Baptist
church in this ommunity were taken in q
private house in this city in 1869, and on
December % of that year the organization
was completed. This was done in the
house of Edward Hanford, father of
United States District Judge C. H. Han
ford. As the members were few and
without means for building house of
worship, this little company met in pri-
vate homes. Being without pastor, they
read the Scriptures and conducted devo-
votional exercises among themselves.
They rented store building for time
and there held their services. Visiting
preachers then began coming to this
country, and the hearts of the church peo-
pie were gladdened by sermons from these
brethren. Among these should be men
toned the faithful pioneer. Father Wes-
70 ~ Rx.vv NJ
After meeting for q time in q store, in Oc-
tober, 1871. the privilege was granted of
meeting in the Methodist Episcopal
church, known in those days as the
"Brown church."
About this time a lot was donated to the
First Baptist church, and in 1873 steps
were taken to erect . suitable house of
worship. The first report from the trus-
tees on this enterprise was given February
1. 1873, and showed that total amount Of
81. 295 so had been secured. 1t was deter
mined at this time to secure q pastor for
permanent work, and Rev. DR.. Freeman
was elected at salary of $500. DR.. Free
man did not remain very long, but sue
ceeded in securing means and erecting the
present church edifice. The church then
tried to secure Rev. J. P. Ludlow. ID
as pastor, but found that he could not
well leave his then engagement In 1874
the church opened correspondence with
Rev. J. A. Wirth. and he was induced to
come. The city was now fast growing
into Importance. and Mr.. Wirth proved to
be the right man for the important charge.
This devoted man was pasio or of this
church nearly nine years. an unusually
long time for any pastor in this new coun-
try. In 1883 Rev. d. ]. Pierce. of Walla
Walla: was elected pastor of the church
and accepted the call and remained with
the church through an eventful period Of
about five years. His ministry is we'll re-
memberei by large number Of the pres
ent members. Rev. Robert Whitaker was
the mex: pastor and was here during the
great fire of June 6, 1889. In November,