Imagine a time long before the tech boom transformed Seattle. Now, picture a small frame church rising in the new City of Ballard in 1890. That’s where the story of Interfaith Community Church begins.
Interfaith Community Church stands as the oldest continually operating church in Seattle. It embodies a legacy of faith, community, and architectural resilience. Originally, it was built for German immigrant families. Pastor Gottfried Graedel, a traveling missionary, led the German Congregational Church.
For about ten years, it served as their house of worship. But the church closed due to lack of support. The Ballard School Board then rented the building as a schoolhouse. In 1904, the building returned to its original purpose. Another German congregation, led by Rev. E. Leutwein, acquired the property. It became St. Paul’s Evangelical Church. Extensive repairs were undertaken. The original tall steeple, deemed unsafe, was removed and replaced.
Over the years, Interfaith Community Church housed various congregations. Each one eventually moved to larger quarters, passing the building on. In 1973, the New Age Christian Church purchased the historic building. The City of Seattle recognized the building’s historical importance in 1981. It gained Landmark designation under Ordinance Number 110352.
Interfaith Community Church took root in 1999. Since then, it has actively cultivated a Beloved Community. This community welcomes people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. They promote peace. They do this through love and trusting relationships. These relationships honor the values and practices of all religions.
The Interfaith Community Church stands for openness of heart. It embraces compassionate understanding. It supports personal spiritual paths and practices. The church’s mission is to create a home of love and truth. This serves as a center of light for seekers of divine wisdom. The goal is to encourage personal growth in unconditional spiritual love. The church envisions itself as a truly interfaith community. It is dedicated to healing and education.
Even the architecture speaks volumes. The original building remains largely unchanged. It features old growth, rough cut fir timbers. Cedar v-groove ship-lap siding adorns the exterior. Straight-grain fir flooring and the original wainscoting grace the sanctuary.
In the mid-1990s, the building underwent a major upgrade. Most windows were replaced with modern double pane vinyl clad windows. But they maintained the style of the originals. The two original arched windows near the main entry were retained.
Each year, Interfaith Community Sanctuary hosts a city-wide interfaith gathering. It features prayer and music. It began at the URI 72-Hour Peacebuilding Initiative at the turn of the millennium. For the past four years, they have held a 12+ hour vigil. This vigil observes the International Day of Peace.
Today, Interfaith Community Church remains a fine example. It represents the small 19th and early 20th century community churches of the region. It stands as a testament to faith, community, and architectural preservation. It is located at 1763 NW 62nd Street, Seattle.