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| Front of former Christian Scientist Church in West Seattle. | South face along SW Lander St. |
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| Southeast corner of building bordering alley. | Northeast corner. |
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| The sanctuary inside, now renovated into a special events gathering place. | Alternate angle of sanctuary from upper balcony. |
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| Looking back toward the bar area and balcony. Beyond the balcony is a suite. | Ornate front entry and vestibule. |
West Seattle’s Christian Scientist Church
October 2nd, 2008 @ 1:24 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings |
Bill Maher’s new film Religulous opens tomorrow around the country (trailer here). I’ve got my ticket for the Lincoln Square showing in Bellevue (strangely, few Seattle theatres are running it). So what better time to take a look at a historic West Seattle holy site? This building, designed by architect Gilbert C. Field, was home to the Christian Scientist Church from 1929 until 2003 (when their dwindling congregation merged with another nearby church). These days it’s used as a gathering place for weddings, concerts, and the like — under the name The Sanctuary At Admiral. Click on the thumbnails for larger views of the photos I snapped.
The Church of Christ, Scientist left a huge architectural gift to Seattle: Town Hall on First Hill, the condo project on Capitol Hill, the one on 17th in the U-District, etc. I don’t know what made the congregations disappear, but I’m glad we have these meeting places today.
Joshua: Agreed.
Wow, my folks took my brother, sister and I to church here during the mid 1950′s through the 1960′s. Sundays and many Wednesday nights….sheesh. To be honest, not one of my favorite childhood activities but it certainly brings back old memories.
I can remember going to Sunday School downstairs. I think some of the kids actually enjoyed it but I never could reconcile the teachings with reality…still can’t.
The place had that church smell to it….sort of an odd mixture of mustiness and bad perfume, if you now what I mean.
I actually spent a period of time as the janitor for the church while I was going to high school at West Seattle High. Can’t remember how I got the job and don’t recall what I made as the janitor. It did put a few bucks in my pocket as a teenager. Several hours a week cleaning those floors in the foyer, vacuuming the carpets in the main sanctuary, mowing the lawn/taking care of the grounds, and yes, cleaning the toilets (PineSol and lots of it).
Have to admit, being in that old building by myself got a bit creepy at times. On more than one occasion I was glad to get the heck out of there. The boiler room was a real gem!!
Nice to see it’s being put to good use…….
I would be very interested in talking to Mr.Fish regarding his time at the church and whether he has any photographs of the church during the time period that he has mentioned. We are in the process of having the Church designated a historical landmark. Any old photos or memories would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Venue Mistress
Sanctuary at Admiral
My family lived across the street for 50 years (4202 SW Lander St). In the 1950s the kids in the neighborhood used to play kick-the-can on the church property. It was a fun place to congregate and closer to home than Hiawatha when it got dark out (before Safeway took over the block across the street, it was a neighborhood with houses!).