Archives West Finding Aid

The First Presbyterian Church of Brighton Beach, King County, Washington was formally organized on September 17, 1901. The first church building, a wood frame church on Rainier Avenue, was dedicated November 15, 1903. On March 31, 1911 enrollment in the Sunday School was 103 with $1,610 in contributions. The cornerstone was laid for a new church on July 4, 1902 at Rainier Avenue and Brighton. It had a main floor and a basement.

Church membership in 1949 was 334 and the Sunday School served 274 children. Each Easter the congregation performed “The Seven Last Words” as a gift to the community. The church parking lot was leveled in 1947. In 1952 the addition of the Fellowship Hall, kitchen and Sunday School rooms in the south wing of the church nearly doubled the area available for Christian service. In 1970 there were 294 members and 95 in the Sunday School. Rev. Robert Chamness came as stated supply and was installed as the pastor in January 1970. He resigned in November 1971 to work with Holt Adoption Agency in Korea. Rev. Theodore E. Frederick, Jr. began as stated supply and soon three elders resigned. The congregation rapidly deceased in numbers. He resigned and urged the congregation to follow him. Few left with him.

In 1973 an administrative commission was elected to resolve the difficulties that existed between the pastor and the congregation. The church was on the verge of insolvency. A second administrative commission began work. Membership had declined from 300 to 150 since Frederick came. He was described as “a very sincere, well-intentioned disaster.” In October 1974 an administrative commission was placed to govern. Presbytery on June 29, 1976 voted to reinstall the Session September 22, 1976. A stated supply pastor was sought. Attendance was now about 55. The future role of Brighton was being discussed due to the changes in demography of the neighborhood.

In 1978 there was new energy with the Rev. Charles E. McAllister in the pulpit. A new ministry began in 1979 with the arrival of Loc and Va Thi Nguyen from Vietnam and the Kim Chung Le family. Within three years Loc Nguen had repaid a loan of $2,500. In 1980 there were 118 members with 64 in Sunday School. Boy Scout Troop 217 was reorganized. In 1981 the Deacons were disbanded. In 1985 there were 136 members with 86 in Sunday School and the church was debt free. In January 1988 the $75,000 budget was reduced by $4,500 reflecting the economic conditions in the area. Several months later giving was reported down twenty percent.

In May 1988 the name was changed to Brighton Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.). In 1990 there were 107 members with 155 in the Sunday School. In 1994 one third of the congregation were Vietnamese. In 1995 there were 62 members and 20 in the church school. From 1982 onward until June 1996, 233 members were listed in the chronological roll of the church. In July 1996 a request was made to the General Assembly Mission Capital Grants for replacement of the roof ($31,000). The request was denied. Other repairs were not funded and the church established partnership with eight churches. On August 2, 1998 the Session voted to end the ministry and worship of the congregation effective December 31, 1998. Final worship was held December 27, 1998.