History

The Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist built this edifice in two stages, 1916-1922. It was built at the peak of the Christian Science movement when the church could afford generous spaces and fine finishes. The congregation was the sole and continuous occupant of the building until it was sold to Town Hall in 1998.

Architect for the church was George Foote Dunham of Portland, whose one other building in Seattle is the Christian Science Church on NE 17th on Fraternity Row in the University District. Dunham used a popular style for Christian Science churches, namely Roman Revival. Like most Christian Science Churches, this one is built to resemble a public building with no religious symbolism inside or out. The building has a large portico with six two-story columns fronting on Eighth Avenue, a central dome with oculus, large art glass windows, and elaborate window treatment with pilasters and a balcony on the Seneca side. All four sides of the building are clad in terra cotta, a popular white glazed material that reflects light well in winter and glows after rain.

Town Hall has several remarkable features inside. A small stage is located in the ground floor. This was the original rostrum for the earliest services. In the Lobby, the art-glass, Tiffany-style lighting fixtures are all still working. Curved wooden pews with fitted backs grace the Great Hall, formerly the sanctuary. The vaulted ceiling and the central dome, together with the thick masonry walls and the dispersion of sound from all the ornamentation, produce warm, full, “live” musical acoustics of the type rarely created today.