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Overview

The talents Seattle architectural firm of Grant, Copeland and Chervenak designed the 1st Methodist Church in Anacortes, a congregation founded on 06/28/1890. In 1890, the congregation called itself, the "1st Methodist Episcopal Church of Anacortes," but the name was changed in the 1940s ot the "1st Methodist Church of Anacortes." After mergers among US Methodist church organizations, the church became known in 1968 as the "Anacortesd Unied Methodist Church."

Building History

The Seattle architectural firm of Grant, Copeland and Chervenak prepared plans for the 1st Methodist Church of Anacortes in 1964. This partnership developed a regional reputation for church design, and also executed some of the finest Regional Modern institutional buildings in the Seattle area, most notably Winkenwerder (1963) and Bloedel (1971) Halls on the University of Washington Campus.

The new church was to consist of multiple facilities: a sanctuary, administrative unit, and educational facilities and fellowship hall. The congregation intended to complete the sanctuary first, and then the other units as funds became available. A Christmas 1964 article in the Bellingham Herald described the new church complex: “Progress on plans for its proposed building program has been announced by the First Methodist Church of Anacortes. The building is designed by the architectural firm of Grant, Copeland and Chervenak and construction is expected to begin next March. Anticipated completion of the sanctuary unit in early autumn is part of the church’s 75th anniversary plans. Working drawings are expected to be completed by Monday, according to Deen Morris, building committee chairman. Plans will be submitted to the congregation for final review and authorization next month. Final arrangements for financial assistance with a loan of $68,000 from the board of missions of the Methodist church are now being made and the loan has been authorized by the board and the congregation. Cost of the sanctuary unit will be approximately $100,000, he says. According to the Rev. Richard Boyd the new church buildings are to be constructed at a site at H Ave. and 22nd St., a wooded and sloping view site in mid-Anacortes. Much of the natural landscaping is to be retained, according to the architect. The building will provide two levels both with ground floor access. Warm, wood tones, richly colored glass and a Northwest character to the building are designed.” (See “Church Plans New Building,” Bellingham Herald, 12/25/1964, p. 8.) This article noted that "plans include the natural landscaping" and that the builidng would have a "Northwest character." Grant, Copeland and Chervenak made an effort to utilize wood, Washington's leading commodity and favored building material, and to imbue the design with locally-influenced features.

PCAD id: 24353