Home to major corporate names, Seattle not friendly to churches

Last Updated: August 30, 2018By

While Seattle is known as the home of such iconic brands as Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon and Costco, churches don’t fare as well there. Ten percent of residents identify as atheists, according to a 2015 survey by the Pew Research Center, and the city has the second-highest rate of residents who once attended church but don’t any longer.

In mid-August, historic University Christian Church announced it was selling its final remaining property in the city’s university district because of declining memberships and maintenance costs. 

Part of the United Church of Christ, the century-old church opened its high-ceiling, stained-glass sanctuary 90 years ago. Funds from the sale will go into a foundation established by remaining members, while the congregation will merge with another to form Journey Christian Church.

“While the sale of our existing house of worship is bittersweet, we look forward to continuing UCC’s legacy through the new foundation, which will benefit causes near and dear to our congregation’s hearts,” Congregational President Laura Robinson told The Registry.

In addition to University Christian, 32 off-market Seattle church-related facilities were listed for sale recently on a real-estate-oriented website. They included a variety of homes, sanctuaries, office buildings, and school spaces. 

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