Central Lutheran Church

This folder contains newspaper clippings, a historical record, various bulletins including the ordination of Charles Rice, the installation of Rev. R. Bertram Reed, the installation of Rev. Bruce E. Pond, the dedication of new console, and the church’s 50th, 75th and 90th anniversaries, an invitation to the 75th anniversary celebration, a history and description of the organ, a booklet commemorating the 75th anniversary of the church, The Sound of 80 (program for musical revue for 80th anniversary dinner), newsletter, membership application, list of church members, a directory and handbook of Holy Trinity English Lutheran Church, and a newsletter of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

A missionary survey to bring English-speaking Lutheranism to the Pacific Northwest led to the organization of Holy Trinity Church on November 3, 1890 with 23 communicant members. The new congregation met in a remodeled tin shop. In 1901 this property was sold and the present site was purchased. As a part of a merger effort to unite the many Seattle Lutheran churches, the congregation was reorganized as Central Lutheran Church in 1927, taking families from other nearby churches and at the same time becoming part of the ULCA. In 1932 the church was expanded in all four directions, adding a new chancel, narthex and side aisles. The organ, built by one of the members, is used for practice by the music students throughout the city. The church has at different times operated an Open House for Senior Citizens, was the founder of the Capitol Hill organization of churches called CHOICE, has operated a school for students with disabilities, has sponsored refugees from Cambodia and Vietnam, and assisted in a community food purchasing group, the Peace Movement, and Lutheran Social Services.