“Open and affirming” for decades. That’s what makes Admiral Congregational United Church special. Welcome to a church that has served the North Admiral neighborhood since 1899.
Admiral Congregational United Church stands as a beacon of faith. It is a testament to community service in West Seattle. The church’s history is rich. It is filled with dedication to its neighborhood.
In 2010, Admiral Congregational UCC welcomed Rev. Dr. Donald Schmidt as its new pastor. Before Admiral, it was called West Seattle Congregational.
Schmidt’s energy and musical talent made him a great fit. He often greeted people with a hearty “Aloha.” His sermons were vibrant and progressive. They left people feeling spiritually fulfilled. Schmidt emphasized music. He wanted it to play a large role in his ministry.
Schmidt noted the United Church of Christ is on the progressive edge. He was proud of this. He encouraged people to take their own faith journey. He also spoke about his books. They were based on creation spirituality. This celebrates original blessing.
Admiral Church is partnering with Homestead Community Land Trust. Together, they are planning affordable housing. The church will gift its real estate. This will allow for the development of permanently affordable homes. There will also be a space for Admiral Church’s ministries.
Reverend Andrew Conley-Holcom said Admiral Church wants to open the neighborhood. They want to include those historically disadvantaged. Homestead’s model creates wealth for its owners. It is committed to partnering with the community.
Over 80% of neighborhood respondents supported the affordable housing project. Admiral Church is going the extra mile. It seeks to achieve its social and racial justice mission. Thanks to the members’ generosity, people will have the opportunity to own homes. These will be in a lovely, walkable neighborhood.
The church will be temporarily relocated during construction. But it will return to a new gathering and worship facility. Construction is projected to begin in 2025. It will be completed in 2026.
The agreement includes a new church facility. The assessed value of the church property is $4 million. The church is committed to diversity, peace, and justice. Admiral Congregational United Church has been serving the people for over a century. It continues to extend Christ’s footsteps into the world.