Seattle's historic First United Methodist church goes from sanctuary to concert venue

2008 marked the 100th anniversary of the cornerstone of the First United Methodist Church sanctuary being laid. But any celebration of the occasion was very nearly a moot point.

Only two years ago, the beautiful domed space at Fifth Avenue and Marion Street seemed fated for demolition because the church couldn't cope with building-repair costs that threatened its ability to minister to the homeless.

Now the building, re-christened Daniels Recital Hall, offers sanctuary of a different sort to downtown workers: 45 minutes of classical music programmed by local organist Mark Andersen. First United Methodist has, in the meantime, relocated near Seattle Center.

The acoustics in the Beaux Arts building designed by James Schack and Daniel Huntington are perfect for the lunchtime music series. The atmosphere is informal: You can eat your lunch while you listen, and come and go as you please. The musical offerings are light, but performed with polish.

The high point when I attended a concert last month was Pablo de Sarasate's "Romanza Andaluza," a lilting piece originally scored for violin and piano, transcribed by Andersen for organ and cross-strung harp (played by Harper Tasche). More of an oddity: Andersen giving Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine" a hallowed cathedral-organ treatment. The finale — a full-length, full-throttle version of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" — showed off the hall's spectacular 4,000-pipe Austin pipe organ.

As emcee, Andersen has a grand, convivial manner. His aim, he says, is to offer programs that will "leave people with a song in their heart, and brighten their day."

Kevin Daniels of Daniels Development, the firm building a 43-story office tower next door, made the musical series possible. He spearheaded the purchase of both the downtown property and some land in Belltown where First United Methodist could relocate and rebuild. Preservation of the sanctuary was a condition of the deal. Andersen's involvement in the music series came later.

"A friend of mine who has done work on this pipe organ told me Kevin was looking for someone to make use of this instrument in some way," Andersen said last month. "I've done concert series in New York City and Boston for many, many years, and I don't know if I've ever found a more beautiful venue than this."

One significant change in the sanctuary's design was to open up the view of the organ "so you can see the feet at work," Daniels said. (Andersen certainly got a workout on the Mendelssohn.) And stained-glass windows will soon be illuminated with electric light 24/7, after the new next-door skyscraper blocks what little sun streams through them now.

"It may be artificial," Daniels says, "but it's the stained glass that's the show."

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com