Local History: 1. Establishment of the Church

Within a few months after the big Seattle fire which destroyed most of the business section of town, a commision of the Kansas Presbytery came to Seattle to organize the first Reformed Presbyterian Church on the West Coast. The commision ordained and installed Licentiate S. Dell Johnson as pastor. The organization meeting was held on August 9, 1889 in the Hall of the University of Washington which was located on the 10-acre Metropolitan Tract in current downtown Seattle. The congregation consisted of 21 members, and more were added in the following months. Unfortunately, problems developed in the early congregation and Rev. Johnson resigned as pastor on July 14, 1891. The two original elders resigned shortly thereafter. Having no Session the young congregation was officially disorganized, a great disappointment to the small group of the believers who remained loyal.

Sensing the need for leadership, and recognizing the possibility that a congregation might be reorganized, Kansas Presbytery arranged for Rev. Alexander Kilpatrick of Pittsburgh Presbytery to come to Seattle in the fall of 1891. On his arrival, he found that in spite of the earlier difficulties, a Sabbath School had been maintained and there existed a growing and enthusiastic group of people who wanted a Reformed Presbyterian Congregation in Seattle. A commision was appointed with Rev. Kilpatrick serving as Moderator. On January 22, 1892, the commision met in the Norwegian Baptist Church at 6th Avenue and Virginia Street for the purpose of reorganizing the congregation and electing elders and deacons. Appropriately, the text of the moderators sermon on that occasion was Amos 3:3 - "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" The congregation has existed continuously from the date of this reorganization.

History of the Seattle Congregation

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Church Founded
• Chapter 2 - Early Years - The 1890's
• Chapter 3 - The Chinese Ministry
• Chapter 4 - Early 1900's