Seattle Church to Mark 50 Years of Ministry

The theme for the 50th anniversary weekend is "Worshiping . . . Serving . . . Equipping . . . Sending," according to pastor Ray Bartel.

Interbay's May 22 open house runs from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, followed by a praise service from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The service will feature the "Interbay Singers" and "Chamber Trio" as the congregation honors and remembers the past. Charter members will share reflections of the early years of the church - former pastors also have been invited to share their memories. The church's newly renovated "Warehouse" (purchased in 1977), currently occupied by another Covenant congregation called Quest Ministries, and Q Cafe will also be open for tours and participants can purchase coffee and other treats.

The celebration continues Sunday morning, May 23, with a 10 a.m. celebration worship service, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall. Bartel will preach at the service and the North Pacific Conference will have a representative in attendance.

Interbay Evangelical Covenant Church began in the early 1940s under the name "Interbay Chapel" as a youth and Sunday school outreach ministry of First Covenant Church in Seattle. By 1953, Interbay Chapel had an average Sunday school attendance of 175 and the ministry grew into a congregation that became self-supporting. On Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954, the charter membership rolls were closed with 51 names, including Carl and Inga Hagstrom, who are still active members.

The current facility was built in 1967 with assistance from the former Frontier Friends program (now Kingdom Builders). Prior to that time, worship services were held in the old Interbay Presbyterian Church building that was purchased by Henry Isaacson in 1941 and turned over to First Covenant. The church averages 100 in worship attendance and offers a young adult ministry to those at nearby Seattle Pacific University. A Saturday movie night is another of the new outreach ministries.

For more information about the church and its upcoming celebration or its ministries, contact the church office staff at 206-283-9660 or email Bartel at Interbay@jps.net. The church's website can be found at www.interbaycov.org.

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