Christian Congregational Church on Swansonville Road

Aerial view of the surviving chapel building located on Swansonville road at the entrance of Port Ludlow, Washington.

The building that Friends of Swansonville plans to save and restore is a chapel that dates back to the year 1904. The small chapel without plumbing nor electricity was erected through the cooperation and shared efforts of several local homesteading households.

Photo of Sunday School taken in the 1910s, exact date unknown.

Between 1903-1905 members of the church donated materials to build the church. It has been said that mill lumber typically set aside from the seconds pile would be hauled up hill board by board in a wheelbarrow. 

The church became the center of community life. Families met and socialized weekly, children’s Sunday school became a staple for friendships and marriages, the choir would travel to local areas for events and funerals.

It was a growing congregation until the 1930’s until the Mill closed its doors and the area saw a loss of economy. Smaller groups kept the church going.  In the 1970’s to the 1980’s the church as a rise in growth. Pastor Corey, a traveling pastor from Sequim  was well loved in the community and had a great influence over many. Eventually the building was in greater need of repair and underutilized as a space it closed its doors to the community and sat vacant until 2019.