Beneath this very spot, whispers of faith echo through time. This is Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Seattle. It is a place of resilience and community. Founded in 1908, Saint Peter’s began as a Japanese mission of the Episcopal Church. Early members met in homes. In 1932, amidst the Great Depression, they built their own church on South King Street.
But this is not just a story of building. It is a story of perseverance. World War II brought immense hardship. In 1942, the U.S. government forcibly incarcerated members of Saint Peter’s. Along with 120000 other Japanese Americans, they were sent to desolate camps. The church closed for three years. Yet, their faith endured. Episcopalians in the camps continued to worship. They persevered, waiting for their return home.
After the war, Saint Peter’s reopened. Its mission shifted to rebuilding damaged lives. The church became a refuge. It offered comfort and support to those scarred by war and racism. This experience shaped Saint Peter’s into a welcoming community. It embraced people from all walks of life. The church cherishes its Japanese American heritage.
Today, Saint Peter’s is a diverse congregation. Members come from many backgrounds. They see their diversity as a gift from God. It enables them to be Christ’s Body in the world more authentically. Having experienced exclusion, Saint Peter’s stands in solidarity with outsiders. It strives to be a place of wholeness and healing.
Saint Peter’s faced another closure during the coronavirus pandemic. Parishioners sheltered at home, not in government camps. The church remained alive through virtual services. They held Sunday Eucharist followed by Zoom coffee hours. Care groups were established. These groups included a small number of parishioners and a facilitator. The facilitator checked in regularly with each member.
In times of hardship, Saint Peter’s remains resilient. Its story is one of perseverance, valor, faith, hope, and love. The architecture firm Grant Copeland Chervenak designed Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church. It was completed in 1962. The firm was known for church design. Ross W. Copeland Jr. was part of the architecture firm Grant Copeland Chervenak. He had a significant impact on the built environment in the Seattle area. Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church won a Seattle Chapter AIA Honor Award in 1963. So remember the story of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church. It is a beacon of faith and community.