Seattle RP Church

Location: Seattle, Wash.

Presbytery: Pacific Coast

Organization Date: 1892

Membership: 83 (70 communicant; 13 baptized)

Pastor: Don Piper

Web Site: seattlerpchurch.org

Our History

The Seattle congregation is the oldest RP congregation on the west coast and has the unusual distinction of having been organized twice. The first organization was on August 9, 1889, when the church consisted of 21 charter members. Some problems developed in that small group, resulting in the resignation of the pastor, S. Dell Johnston, and the two ruling elders in 1891. Having no session, the young congregation was officially disorganized. However, the small group of believers remained loyal and continued to meet regularly for Bible study and prayer.

Recognizing the possibility that a congregation might be reorganized, Rev. Alexander Kilpatrick was sent to Seattle in fall 1891. He found that, in spite of the earlier difficulties, there existed a growing and enthusiastic group of people who wanted a Reformed Presbyterian church. A commission was appointed, and the second organization of the Seattle RPC took place on Jan. 22, 1892, with 42 charter communicant members. Four ruling elders and four deacons were elected and they were ordained and installed the following day. Licentiate P.J. McDonald came to Seattle as stated supply in July 1892 and was subsequently ordained and called by the congregation as their first pastor.

The original location of the church building was in downtown Seattle. The congregation moved to its present location in northeast Seattle in 1947. That building was later demolished and a new church building was erected in its place. Our first worship service in the present building was in Feb. 1971.

Our Ministries

The preaching and teaching of God’s Word is central to the life and work of the congregation. In addition to worship services and Bible school on the Lord’s Day, there are four midweek Bible study groups meeting in various homes and at the church building.

Our session maintains a visitation program in the homes of members and adherents. Each ruling elder, usually accompanied by a deacon, visits a family or individual member monthly to provide encouragement, discern growth, detect needs, and maintain personal contact. This is in addition to pastoral visits, which are often focused on those with health problems or other immediate concerns.

Marriage enrichment classes conducted by our pastor and his wife have attracted couples from both within and outside the congregation.

A “deacon’s pantry” is maintained by the deacons for any who may need food. We support the Union Gospel Mission, which provides food, shelter, and clothing to homeless people, with a special emphasis on women and children.

Various outreach efforts have been made to attract people from the neighborhood near the church. Special speakers and potluck suppers have had limited success, but an annual rummage sale and an annual craft fair have drawn a better response. The WMF sponsors a high school girl in need in the Seattle area, and sponsors another in an impoverished area of Cali, Columbia, enabling her to attend a Christian school. The WMF also supports a shelter for battered women and provides resources for the young people of the congregation going on mission trips.

Prayer Requests

1. There are currently a number attending the services who are not yet members. Pray that God will guide them to unite with us.

2. Several babies have been born in the past year or two. Pray that the parents will train these little ones so that they will come to know Christ as their Savior.

3. Pray for the young people, that they may discern God’s calling in their lives and that they may not be tempted by the evil one.

4. Pray that each of the members may experience growth in grace and be faithful in his/her witness for Jesus Christ.