Prospect United Church of Christ

Tucked away in Seattle’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood stands Prospect United Church of Christ. It’s more than just a building. Prospect United Church of Christ is a testament to community spirit and a beacon of progressive values. Prospect United Church of Christ began as a Sunday school extension in 1906. A dedicated group from the nearby Pilgrim Congregational Church, led by James P. Weter and Fred Roberts, saw a need and took action. Their legacy lives on in the Weter-Roberts Scholarship Fund, which, as recently as 2017, awarded $4,200 to deserving students and mission organizations. The church itself officially came into being in 1908. Prospect United Church of Christ quickly outgrew its original space. The current building, complete with a sanctuary, classrooms, and offices, was constructed in 1924. Prospect United Church of Christ has always been forward-thinking. In 1964, the church founded the Prospect Enrichment Preschool. Later, in 1977, it adopted a Working Covenant, declaring itself “Open and Affirming.” This meant welcoming everyone, regardless of background, sexual orientation, or economic status. Accessibility became a priority in 1999, with the addition of an elevator and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Prospect United Church of Christ celebrated its centennial in 2008. The celebrations marked not an end, but a continuation of the church’s commitment to its community. Prospect United Church of Christ continued to evolve. In 2015, the chancel was renovated. In 2017, the third floor saw improvements, along with upgrades to the sound system and lighting. But Prospect United Church of Christ isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about action. The church is part of the RainWise program. This program helps manage rainwater runoff, protecting Lake Washington from pollution. Prospect United Church of Christ’s system includes two 865-gallon cisterns. These cisterns capture rainwater from over 3,000 square feet of roof area. The cisterns prevent thousands of gallons of stormwater from entering the combined sewers each year. This stored water is then used for landscape irrigation during the summer months. In 2017, the installation of this innovative system earned the church a RainWise rebate of $11,496. The project, completed by Earth Alchemist Enterprises, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2018. Prospect United Church of Christ continues its mission. It strives to be a space for believers, seekers, and doubters alike. It’s a place where questions are valued more than simple answers. And it’s a place where music lovers rejoice.