The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-01

ing TO the architectural beauties OF the
city
The plain-looking house now being de-
stroyed in order to make room for John
Cort's big vaudeville theater was built in
part, in 1854. being the first house Of wor-
ship for the hardy settlers who founded
the city. and now known as the oldest
building in Seattle. The latter designation,
however. is somewhat In question, as the
Mercer homestead. on the Mercer dona-
ton land claim, at the north end of the
city. has also claim to consideration as
the oldest building.
built for cthodfsfs.
The church was built for the Methodist
Episcopal denomination by Rev. d. Z.
Blaine on Second avenue and Columbia
street, the location now occupied by the
Boston block. The lot was donated by
Carson u. Boren. As a church it was
dedicated In May. 1855. For ten years 1t
was the only church building in town.
and. as all worshiped In II and contributed
toward H. the good feeling toward the lit
tie church was general. Its walls, pitte6
by the bullets of many lurking Indians
are yet very dear 10 the hearts OF the
old pioneers. \ marked feature OF the
building long since rendered ordinary by
ANaf@s N<Ar A4lt peculiar style OF the WIN
dow panes. They were for years full OF
small. round. ciean-cut holes made by the
swift passage o. Indian bullets during tlte
war Of lsS5 and 1s56 Fortunately at the
times these leaden balls were Decorating
the sanctity OF the building. no white poo-
pie were within. the church having been
abandoned during times OF peril TX Law
without the protecting reach Of the for,i-
icauon which mad been thrown up at the
foot Of Cherry street. about where Stewart
Il Holmes drug store now stands and was
a fair mark for the rodskn sharpshooters
=. h. Ward. pioneer. who came here N
1853 from Salem. or, with joan Denny.
James Campbell ard Thomas Mercer. re-
calls that the perforated window panes
Of the OLD church made "A vivid impression
On MS mind and We're the first objects of
in .erest In his new home
About one year before the fire the
church building was removed to its pres
ent location 2i3 Cherry street The en-
trance, considered IN those days a mar
vel Of beauty. was turned .gnominiouslv 10
the rear and the back end WIS allowed
To snow It's square, unadorned face on
the street
~ Gambling Den
In the new location a transforr7at ion
took place. The building IN which SO MANY
religious services had been held was
f-t+NN7N - q Sa+tAS4ittA Ottts Dd%eflss al
being built beneath fer saloon. l. was
tn this same building, with now so
changed an aspect. that the desperate
Dave Dcnee IN 1sSo held up the games.
He escaped with quite a SUM OF money
In The melee attending the hold-up one
of tie gamblers Was shot hv D~,aa
through the arm When gambling houses
We're closed In this city there came an
other change. The former church was
occupied by restaurant WhsTa tho
altar had stood was set a cooking range
ana instead OF a veverential minister
tAeTe offcia.ed an aproned cook. Count
less are the steaks and chops and sutlet.
that have been sacrificed in the old church
building since the last transfer Of lease
Soon the landmark with which haya
been associated memories OF such varied
character VIII be done away with Even
now the wels-sessoned interior looks III.
TIE galley 81 a wrecked steamer. Raxeg
Of stale bread sat Ia state on niles nr
ieTh-up plank. scraps Of meat that smell
or The long ago. litter the foor: on every
sense = born in recollec;fons Of the uast
WHEN these relies. now so stale, were
fresh.
Though built sor ana BY the Me,h-
osi1s, Episcopa,lans they id not oc-
capy ihe field al the time. and
when they had no minister Of
their o~n they opened the doors
TO elsrgymea % other denominations