Sacred Sites Initiative

First United Methodist Church. Photo: Marissa Natkin

Historic Seattle's Sacred Sites Initiative acknowledges both the architectural and community significance of historic religious buildings, and is conceived to raise awareness of the value of these resources both within the religious community, and the public at large.

Historic Seattle has been planning for almost two years now how to help historic churches like First Methodist, and as a part of this process, we have looked to other cities with successful aid programs. Our planning has produced a preliminary survey of all religious Seattle buildings built before 1935, which will help us identify who might need help the most.

There are a number of ways to work toward a solution to this problem, but it is crucial that anyone interested in helping come forward. Because of the constitutional separation of church and state, there is very little public aid to historic churches. This means the fate of historic churches is in the hands of individuals, organizations, and communities who care about them.

Mount Baker Presbyterian Church. Photo: Marissa Natkin

The support of congregations is important, but for many reasons, the number of churchgoers in urban centers is steadily going down. Churches are multipurpose buildings, however, and serve a number of community needs. While governments cut funds for social services, urban churches often forego much needed repairs to help others in need. Neighbors conduct meetings, vote, get married, and say goodbye to loved ones in them.

Older churches were built to be landmarks. Individuals attach personal meaning to historic sacred places because they are, by design, spaces outside of the everyday world. Whatever your beliefs, the power of these spaces is impossible to deny.

The Nisqually Earthquake's damage and seismic retrofit costs, dwindling congregations in urban churches, and deferred maintenance make the preservation of historic religious buildings costly. The unique and oftentimes elaborate architectural features of these buildings, and historic construction techniques contribute to their significance, but demand experienced preservation specialists when repairs are needed. Federal guidelines separating church and state restrict the amount of government aid to religious institutions for earthquake repairs.