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Building History

The University Methodist Episcopal congregation first formed in 1891, meeting first in the Latona Schoolhouse nearby. The organization grew and saved enough money to purchase property which was done near Roosevelt Way in 1902. Title to this land was faulty, so another plot on Brooklyn Avenue was located the same year. The congregation erected a small chapel on the Brooklyn lot in 1902 which served its needs until dedication of this larger church in 1907. Construction began in 1906 according to plans drawn up by architect George Wesley Bullard. Dedication of University Methodist Episcopal Church #1 occurred on 04/28/1907. The Vineyard Christian Fellowship bought the facility in 1991, and has leased parts of it out to various small businesses. The original Methodist congregation left this building in 1927, to build a larger facility at NE 43rd Street and 15th Avenue NE. University Methodist Episcopal Church #2 had its dedication in 10/1927.

Building Notes

Architectural historian Mark L. Peckham wrote on the City of Seattle's Landmark Nomination form in 1979: "Preparations for the 1909 Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition were well underway ...and in the fall of 1907, the Puget Sound Methodist Conference decided to use the exposition to 'exhibit Methodism to the world.' Because of its proximity to the fairground entrance, the church played an important role as the religious focal point of the exposition, serving as a house of worship for visitors to the A.Y.P. It was also used extensively at the time as an auditorium for a series of lectures organized by the church." (See Mark L. Peckham, "City of Seattle Landmark Nomination Form: United Methodist Episcopal Church,"Accessed 01/27/2012.)

Alteration

On its northwest corner, the church originally had a tall approximately 125-foot bell tower. This was removed in 1917; in place of the spire, the octagonal tower base was re-crowned with crenellations and a revolving crucifix. Other alterations in that year included adding perpendicular gables over the front entry and a large education wing to the east. The building stood vacant during the late 1970s. It was adaptively reused by number of tenants since that time. The Vineyard Christian Fellowship has been a long-time occupant. Ownership has also rented out storefronts along Brooklyn Avenue NE and NE 42nd Street, and rechristened the building as the "Brooklyn Square Building."