Keeping The Faith
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 COURTESY OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, UW LIBRARIES THEN: Dedicated in 1926, the Seventh Church of Christ Scientist has survived on the roof of Queen Anne Hill as one of Seattle's finest creations.
PAUL DORPAT NOW: Sturdy, intact and wrapped in its own landscape, the landmark is threatened with destruction for the building of three or four homes. Many of the sanctuary's neighbors are fighting alongside the Queen Anne Historical Society to keep their unique landmark. |
On the morning of May 22, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation held a news conference intended to turn the fate of one of Seattle's most exquisite landmarks away from its planned destruction and toward something else — something "adaptive" like another church, a community center or even a home — a big home.
The trust not only included the Seventh Church of Christ Scientist on its 2007 list of the state's "most endangered historic properties," it also used the front steps of this Queen Anne landmark as the place to circle the wagons for statewide preservation. It was an especially strong sign by the trust to its extended family of historians, architects, citizens — including sensitive neighbors of the church — of how cherished is the Seventh Church.
Seattle architect and painter Harlan Thomas (1870-1953) created the unique sanctuary for the then-energetic congregation of Christ Scientists on Seattle's Queen Anne Hill in 1926. It was the year he was also made head of the Architecture Department at the University of Washington, a position he held until 1940.
Although a local architectural marvel, this sanctuary is not well known because of its almost secret location. The address is 2555 Eighth Ave. W. — at the avenue's northwest corner with West Halladay Street. There are few extraordinary reasons to visit this peaceful neighborhood, except to enjoy this fine melding of architectural features from the Byzantine, Mission, Spanish Colonial and other traditions.
Since the trust created it in 1992, the "Endangered List" has not been an immoderate tool in the service of state heritage. Fewer than 100 sites have made this register, which is really the trust's emergency broadside for historic preservation.
Paul Dorpat specializes in historical photography and has published several books on early Seattle.
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