Downtown congregation bids its home farewell

The chapel pews have been sold, new homes for community groups found, and memories scrawled on walls soon to be demolished.

It was time to hold the last service.

Hundreds of current and former First United Methodist Church members gathered Easter Sunday at the historic downtown Seattle sanctuary to say farewell to the building that had been their home for a century.

"Here we have baptized our children and mourned our dead," created new families in marriage and rejoiced with each other, said the Rev. Elaine Stanovsky, Seattle district superintendent for the denomination in the Pacific Northwest.

But new memories will be created at their new home, said Bishop Edward Paup, before he deconsecrated the building.

"This building," he said, "we now deconsecrate and release for any honorable use. We declare that it is no longer the place of meeting of a United Methodist congregation."

There was sadness, but also claps and cheers as the choir sang the "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah."

Then the congregation watched as a small, gossamer-light model airplane circled its way slowly up toward the sanctuary dome.

The plane is symbolic, said church member Keith Varnau, who built it. It is powered not by remote control, but by a rubber band.

"We have to let go of our lives and have faith that God will take control," he said.

Reaching a deal

First Church members decided about a decade ago that they couldn't afford to maintain their large building at Fifth Avenue and Marion Street. They gave their approval to replace the sanctuary with an office tower.

After contentious litigation and several failed plans for new development, they reached a deal that would preserve the sanctuary but tear down the annex next to it with an office tower to be built at the site. The developer would build a new church home for the congregation, to be located at Second Avenue and Denny Way.

In the meantime, starting Sunday, the congregation will hold services at Seattle Children's Theatre at Seattle Center.

Over the past weeks, community groups that have met at First Church for years have found new homes.

Mary's Place day shelter for women has moved to a building owned by Denny Park Lutheran Church at South Lake Union.

Seattle Men's Chorus and the Downtown Muslim Association are renting space from Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in downtown Seattle.

Seattle Choral Company has started holding rehearsals at University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the University District.

And First Church members have been digging through decades of memories found in nooks and crannies all over the church.

Volunteers have found communion glasses that haven't been used since 1979, and T-shirts for a singalong "Messiah," when the church hosted those musical gatherings.

And "while we've been here putting this building into boxes, it's amazing the number of people who've come by, who haven't been here in 49 years," said Jacque Lindstrand. "Maybe their parents were married here or they were baptized here."

Paul Schafer used to be a member 35 years ago before his job took him to Yakima. On Sunday, he and his wife, Patty, drove from Yakima just for the final service.

"We've never seen a church deconsecrated," he said. "It was sad. But joyous."

Several walls in the annex, which will be demolished, are now filled with members' written or drawn memories of their church.

Some of the messages are cheeky. Near the men's room: "For a good life, join First Church," with the church's phone number written under it. Or: "Dear God, It's me, Margaret! And I love you!"

Many more are deeply heartfelt: "Love to the members and staff who made hospitality real."

"You brought us peace."

And down near the ground, at child's height: "Sorry God we have to destroy your home but you get a new one."

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com