Category Archives: Historic Plaque Program

Church building becomes a church again

Stanwood’s Historic Presbyterian built in 1906 has come full circle and become a church again.
Built in 1906, The new Tidelands Church has brought this building back to life.  And it is recognized as one of the historic places in Stanwood.

According to the “Stanwood Story” the Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1906.  Their  building was dedicated in 1909 and the first pastor was Rev. W. A. Couden.  A few years later in 1915, there was a popular new pastor, H.T. Murray who also provided services to a Camano Island congregation at the Camano Schoolhouse.  In 1931 the building was purchased by the Assembly of God, a non-denominational church with Rev. J. C. Patey the pastor (Oct 15, 1931 Twin City News).   It had several owners and renters, in 1953 it was known as the Twin City Gospel Chapel.  It was sold to the Eagles when the stained glass window was removed.  And in 1972 it was purchased from the Eagles by noted Pacific Northwest / Skagit Valley painter, Richard Gilkey (Stanwood News, Dec 13, 1972).  It was also a dance studio for a few years about 2005.

The Northwest Coast Presbytery (Presbyterian Church U.S.A) purchased the building in 2015 with some funds from the sale of the Deming Presbyterian Church building bringing the building back to the same denomination that originally owned the building when it was built (Bellingham Presbytery).  Tidelands Presbyterian Church, which now uses the building, was officially chartered as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A in 2017. Rev. Brandon Bailey is the organizing pastor.

There is more to learn about this building history and we will be working on it…help is always welcome.  Thank you to Rev. Bailey for updating our posting!

Tidelands Church, 10101 271st ST NW Stanwood

Tidelands Church, 10101 271st ST NW Stanwood, circa 2015