West Seattle’s last freestanding Christian Science church is being sold

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

When the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, closed at what then became The Sanctuary at Admiral, it merged with the Fourteenth Church of Christ, Scientist, in Upper Fauntleroy. Now that church building too is being sold. The church at 3601 SW Barton is on an acre of land, listed for $2.3 million, and already has a sale pending, according to webpages featuring the listing, The description of the site notes that the new owner could “build 8 new homes” – since it’s zoned Single-Family 5000. The church phone number is disconnected, so we contacted a regional spokesperson for Christian Science to ask what happened to the church itself. According to the state website, it had shrunk to the smallest organized unit, a society, and the spokesperson tells us the Society based at that building is disbanding. West Seattle also had a Christian Science Reading Room until last year, in the Junction space that became home to Mystery Made. Back to the Fauntleroy church – no word yet on who’s buying it, as the sale hasn’t closed yet and the listing agent didn’t reply to our inquiry.

John Nuler November 29, 2021 (9:21 pm)

What a sad day. One of the most beautiful, and iconic to me, mid-century modern buildings in West Seattle.

johnny November 29, 2021 (9:27 pm)

I totally agree with you, John Nuler. What a shame…. Beautiful example of innovative mid century modern architecture – soon to be gone forever…. What a bummer.

SlimJim November 29, 2021 (10:31 pm)

I agree John. A really charming building which blends in so well with a beautiful landscape. I don’t even want to think about what it will look like if its developed as is possible given the zoning. Can we not have any beautiful, quiet spots left in peace? I dont blame the church at all. They have to sell if that’s what makes sense, but it would/will be really sad to see this gem go.

Andy November 30, 2021 (8:08 am)

Ditto to the above. The Christian Science Church is known for this type of Architecture. It would probably be difficult to find someone that this type of building would work for. Start a fundraiser, purchase the building, tear most or all of it down and turn it into Park.

Desertdweller November 30, 2021 (8:15 am)

Does anyone know who the original architect is? I wonder if it was created by one of Seattle’s notable MCM architects?

emcat8 November 30, 2021 (10:56 am)

Oh no. Seattle has such a hate-on for midcentury modern commercial buildings and private homes. There are so few left standing here, and in the time I’ve lived in West Seattle–which is a long time–I’ve watched most of them disappear. This just breaks my heart.

anonyme November 30, 2021 (12:36 pm)

Not sad to see any church go, but the building itself is another story. It would make a lovely library, art space, or small theatre. I’m really concerned about the beautiful big trees on that lot. I’m sure a couple of them could be considered exceptional, but developers always find a way to destroy them anyway. It’s a shame that we don’t have any architects or developers who are willing to do the creative or mindful work necessary to preserve either art or nature and incorporate what exists into something new and wonderful. It’s just clear-cut, bulldoze, compact and destroy, and then build sleazy (but expensive) new units. And that’s exactly what they are – units, not homes.

DJ November 30, 2021 (2:42 pm)

My neighbor, who passed a few years ago, told me he was the grandson of the people who donated the land to the church, and if I recall correctly, it was at least 80 to 90 years ago. Way back when, they owned most of our current street, and two homes that belonged to the family still survive.

Patricia A Harris November 30, 2021 (10:12 pm)

Where is Bill Gates when we need help? 😁

Russ H. December 1, 2021 (8:29 am)

The lot is such a beautiful and unique feature of the neighborhood, including the big lawn so many of us enjoy with our pups and kiddos. And those stunning– and exceptional!– oaks. I did hear “on good authority” that a church in the neighborhood (All Souls) did make an above-asking offer on the property. For me, a neighborhood community in a space like this who would serve and bless West Seattle, while carefully and respectively preserving those grounds, is of far greater need to us than more houses shoehorned in together to be sold at a million a pop. If we don’t want every available foot of land to be developed like this, what options as neighbors do we have? Is there a way to help a church stay a church?

Russ H. December 1, 2021 (8:52 am)

Concerned Neighbor December 1, 2021 (9:12 am)

So heartbroken to see this beautiful building and land go the way of mass development that is stripping the character and life from Seattle neighborhoods! I have a keen interest in this property, so have been keeping tabs on the sale…the developers who purchased it are apparently intending to cut down the gorgeous old growth oak trees on the property as well. So upsetting, especially given that other comparable offers were apparently submitted with the intent of preserving the building and trees. : (

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