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University Baptist Church sanctuary movement records, 1982-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
University Baptist Church (Seattle, Wash.)
Title
University Baptist Church sanctuary movement records
Dates
1982-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.69 cubic feet (3 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
5346
Summary
Records of the University Baptist Church, Seattle, concerning its 1980s sanctuary program for Central American refugees.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
English, Spanish
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The University Baptist Church (UBC) is located in the Seattle near the University of Washington.

UBC declared itself a sanctuary for Central American refugees on December 5, 1982, becoming the first publicly declared sanctuary in the Northwest, the first American Baptist sanctuary in the U.S., and the seventh publicly declared church sanctuary in the nation. UBC successfully petitioned the city of Seattle to declare itself a Sanctuary City, sent relief workers and supplies to El Salvador, and toured the Northwest advocating the sanctuary program's implementation in those areas. Members of UBC also founded Amparo, a newsletter about the sanctuary movement in the Puget Sound area. In addition, UBC was an active local voice in opposition to U.S. foreign policy.

The controversy over Central America and UBC's activism frequently brought the UBC into conflicts with government agencies and, as a result, into the newspaper headlines. Beginning in 1985, the federal government began to indict sanctuary workers for harboring and assisting illegal immigrants. In order to facilitate these prosecutions, immigration officials arrested refugees to provide testimonies. On January 14, 1985, the same day that 16 indictments were made against Tucson sanctuary workers, seven UBC refugees were arrested in Seattle. In July 1985, the UBC was burglarized. Similar crimes were committed nationally against sanctuary churches, causing many to attribute the crime to the FBI. These concerns, and perceived attacks against the sanctuary movement, further fanned the accusations of governmental abuse and violation of religious freedom, in turn inspiring greater determination on the part of the congregation. UBC and its members posted bail for the numerous refugees and aided in the many legal battles that ensued while continuing to provide a haven for those escaping persecution in Central America.

Donovan Cook was pastor of the congregation during the 1980s.

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Content Description

These University Baptist Church records primarily reflect the congregation's involvement in the Central American sanctuary movement during the 1980s. Because of the church's interest and activity in a national movement, many of the records were collected from other organizations or individuals. Many writings and speeches, both by those associated with the church and those involved with the national movement, defend providing sanctuary and include firsthand accounts of violence and injustice in Central America. Community support for the church's activities is represented by various letters and resolutions.

UBC's records include a transcript of the congressional testimony submitted by Rev. Donovan Cook, several sermons related to sanctuary, and personal accounts of the movement's impact on the Seattle congregation. A description of the 1985 burglary is located in the subject series Sanctuary Break-ins. Another subject series contains documents on UBC refugee Pilar Martinez, who was targeted by federal investigators and eventually granted political asylum after her arrest and prosecution. The minutes of the Sanctuary Task Force also include the financial statements for the church sanctuary, as well as national correspondence and minutes of the National Sanctuary Communications Council.

The bulk of the records consist of newspaper clippings relating to Central American foreign policy and the sanctuary movement. Most are arranged chronologically, but several specific subjects have been highlighted.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

University Baptist Church Sanctuary Movement Records, 1982-1990. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, Washington.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged according to format or genre.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the University Baptist Church, 2003.

Processing Note

Processing completed in 2005 by Britt Olson.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 


2006 (Last modified: 9/17/2020)

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