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Local History: 2. Early Years - The 1890's
In 1892, the reorganized congregation had 42 charter members. Four elders and four deacons were elected. Each one accepted the office to which they were elected, and ordination and installation services were held the following day. The Session met for the first time following the installation service on January 23 and chose James G. Love to serve as clerk. Rev. Kilpatrick remained in Seattle for a time to help the young congregation get started, but returned to Pittsburgh in the spring of 1892.
Licentiate P.J McDonald arrived in Seattle as Stated Supply in July 1892, and was ordained some time therafter. During this time the Seattle congregation was transferred to the Colorado Presbytery. Initially the congregation held services in the basement of the Norwegian Baptist Church. To fill the need for our own church building, the congregation purchased several lots at Olive Way and Terry Avenue in 1893, and a church building was built soon thereafter at a total cost of $5500. The original building was later raised to add a basement for Bible School classes and a small kitchen. Excepting a few months early in 1937, when repairs were being made following a fire, this building was the home of the congregation until 1947.
On December 31, 1894 Rev. McDonald was called by the congregation to serve as it's first pastor. He was installed on June 29, 1895 by a commision of the Colarado Presbytery. Rev. McDonald continued as pastor of the congregation until August 11, 1903. Upon leaving Seattle he move to Los Angeles where he served as the first pastor of the RP congregation established there.
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History of the Seattle Congregation
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