Seattle Historical Sites

This simple rustic Stick style Gothic-Revival church building appears to have served as a small religious community gathering place since its construction in 1916. Little is known about the early history of this church building and its original congregation, but it appears to have historical associations with the early African American community that settled in the Central Area neighborhood. Tax assessor’s files give its construction date as 1916, but it is unknown who constructed it or what group originally used the building. An original construction permit was not located at DPD. It appears to have served the Gospel Tabernacle congregation in the 1920s. In the 1930s it served as the Christ Temple Church under the direction of Mrs. Josie M. Bacon. The 1937 tax assessor’s file described it as a “negro spiritual church.” It later served the Goodwill Baptist Church congregation. The building was purchased by the Antioch Baptist Church in 1957 and it continues to serve this congregation today.

This small rustic church building is relatively intact and is characterized by its prominent front-gable form, rustic clapboard cladding, gable stickwork and simple symmetrical single window fenestration pattern. Alterations to the windows, which were originally multipaned, appear relatively minor to the overall appearance. The entry doors are not original, but appear compatible.