11 Most Endangered Listing

First United Methodist Church. Photo: Marissa Natkin

On May 29, 2003, Seattle's First United Methodist Church was listed thematically on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered List. This listing acknowledges that the issues facing Seattle's First United Methodist Church are similar to those of urban churches throughout the country. We are losing our urban houses of worship, and in the process, losing critical pieces of our civic landscape.

The preservation community, which includes anyone concerned about saving the best of our past, supports finding economically feasible alternatives to demolition. Historic Seattle, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation are funding an alternative analysis for development of the historic church building. Members of Seattle's development community are helping scope out the components of this study, using the church's existing feasibility work as a guide.

Since the Nisqually Earthquake in 2001, Historic Seattle has learned much about the extensive capital needs of local houses of worship. Historic Seattle is now developing a Sacred Sites Initiative to provide fundraising and technical services, and other programmatic support to aid in the stewardship of our city's historic religious buildings.

We need your help. If you would like to contribute to the alternative feasibility study to preserve First Methodist, or Historic Seattle's Sacred Sites Initiative, contact Historic Seattle at 206-622-6952.