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Dear Friend and/or Queen Anne
Neighbor and/or Business Leader:
We have an auction/fundraiser
coming up with the theme of “Another 100 Years.” Thank you for
taking the time to consider this cause. It is all about saving
one of Seattle’s rare historic buildings. You may have seen us
in the news last year when this 1926 architectural masterpiece
was facing demolition. The owners were reluctant to allow the
demolition, but the small congregation of the 7th Church of
Christ, Scientist was no longer able to maintain the building
and no sincere buyers had come forward after years of trying to
reconcile their dilemma. 
The
demolition permit had been granted in February of 2007 and a
developer had plans for four new homes on the site. The Queen
Anne community rallied. The Queen Anne Historical Society
gathered their voices. The immediate neighbors of this building
petitioned the courts and a were able to stall the demolition
temporarily.
In May of 2007 a press release
went out from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
that made headlines. They had placed the building at 2555 8th
Avenue West on their “Top Ten Most Endangered Historic
Buildings” list for the entire state. They highlighted the many
reasons why Seattle shouldn’t let this building disappear
forever. The rare Neo-Byzantine octagonal structure was designed
by Harlan Thomas who also designed the
Hotel Sorrento. He
was the dean of architecture at UW and an important figure in
Seattle’s history. One look at the building convinces most
people that it must be kept alive for “Another 100 Years” which
has become the theme of our campaign.
Our 18-year-old congregation, The
Seattle Church of Christ (similar name as the sellers which can
get confusing), had been hoping to purchase a home of our own
for years, but were unable. We’d even looked at this building
when the price was well over two million dollars and out of our
range. Our membership is 270; we are a young church with a large
campus and singles ministry. Our services draw people of all
demographics from all over metropolitan Seattle. I’m so proud
that we have pledged $1,465,000 over the next three years to
purchase the building from our gracious friends at the 7th
Church of Christ, Scientist. We settled on a price of $1,560,000
and they are carrying the short term mortgage for us. Many have
sacrificed greatly for our new church home and we’ve given
$395,000 in the last six months toward the purchase. Learn more
about the new owners at the
Seattle Church of Christ
website.
The purchase price was one
hurdle, the restoration process will be an even greater one. We
are asking members of the community to help us in one of three
ways:
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Attend our auction party on
May 31 at 6pm, RSVP at another100years.com
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Donate something for our
auction that others might bid on at the event.
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Make a donation to our
restoration fund in any amount (it all adds up).
The estimates we’ve gotten are
between two and three million dollars to restore, re-fit and
rejuvenate this historic building keeping it standing for
“Another 100 Years.”
Donations may be sent to:
Restoration Project/Seattle Church of Christ
2555 8th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
We are a 501(C)(3) non-profit
organization so your donation is tax-deductible (Tax ID #
91-1448879). Any questions, please call me anytime at (206)
914-2659 or email me at
jay_kelly@mac.com.
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With respect and
gratitude,
Jay Kelly.
City Minister
Seattle Church of Christ |
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