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Port Townsend Historical Sites

History > Historic Buildings

Name: The Old Catholic Church (now private home)
Year Built: 1890
Location: 1510 Blaine Street
Area: Uptown Port Townsend

This property has a long and varied history. In 1889, J. A. Kuhn, the first owner of record, sold a section of his Kuhn Ranch to John S. Anderson, who split the property and sold half of it to the trustees of the Norwegian-Danish Methodist Episcopal Church of Port Townsend for $800. Anderson was more than just a land developer, he was also the founder and pastor of the church.
In 1890, the church was built on its present site, which was listed in the city directory as Oxford Avenue, northwest corner Pierce Street, rather than Blaine Street.

In 1919, perhaps due to competition from the Norwegian Lutheran Church just down the street, this church went defunct and ceased to exist as an organization. Meanwhile, the Catholic congregation had become homeless when they lost title to their first church building, built in 1881 at Taylor and Franklin. When their pastor, Father Regis Maniouloux, died in 1919, his relatives, who held the mortgage on the property, foreclosed. Now without a church, the parishioners and their new pastor, Father Frederick B. Klein, bought the building at Blaine and Pierce, named it St. Mary Star of the Sea, and celebrated their first mass there in October 1919.
In 1950, after 31 years of regular services, the site became a parish hall and the congregation moved to its new church, just up the street at 1335 Blaine.

In 1963, the building was no longer adequate to house the growing congregation, and it became the Key City Playhouse, which put it through its first metamorphosis. Much of church-like architecture (such as the altar) was modified to accommodate catwalks and other structures needed for a center for the performing arts. Perhaps not wishing to suffer the same fate as the former occupants, the Catholic Church specified in the deed that the site was never again to be used as a church. That provision is still in effect.

In 1983, The Key City Playhouse fell on hard times and sold the property to Don Ferrari, owner of the Landfall Restaurant. It was his home for three years.

In 1986, Keith Jackson bought the site from Ferrari and lived there for a year. "It was one big room," Jackson recalls, and "boy did it get cold in there. I remember watching the dust bunnies blow around at winter time; that's how drafty it was." Jackson sold it and moved to Marrowstone Island.

In 1987, the noble old building got a new lease on life, when Garth Lundquist bought it for his home. Starting literally from the ground up, Garth and his wife renovated the foundation, wiring and plumbing, and added on an apartment in the rear of the building. They lived there for three years.

In 1990, Jeff Povelite and Leslie Smith bought the house from the Lundquists. Residents of Alaska, the couple never lived in the house, and they sold it the following year.

Since they took possession in January 1991, current owners Hal and Jan Hobson have lovingly restored many original features of the beloved old building, being careful to maintain its historic significance. As a result of their patience and determination to preserve its character, the Old Catholic Church is expected to be classified as a historical monument.
Jeff O'Neill Construction, of Port Townsend, helped the Hobsons with the restoration.

Exterior
The front door came from an old Catholic church in Cleveland. The two vestibule doors were handcrafted by the original parishioners, when the church was founded. The four cornerposts and their decorative spires are original. The front tower had a spire and belfry, which was removed by the Catholic Church when they sold the building. The entrance, which now faces Pierce Street was originally on Blaine Street, as can be seen in a 1919 photo. The stained glass window, located where the original entry was, was bought locally by the present owners. It came from a razed Connecticut church.
The Hobsons have added the Angel Gabriel weathervane and the authentic wooden sidewalk. The landscaping, still in progress, is by R & D Nurseries of Port Townsend.

Entry
The Hobsons have stripped the entry walls and refinished them, added a new tile floor, new domed ceiling, and antique light fixtures. There is also a 1900 panoramic photo of Port Townsend, including the steeple of this church. Paintings on the entry ceiling are by Port Angeles artist Roberta Audette, who has also done other work in the house. The watercolor of the house was painted by Port Townsend artist Marion Bartl.

Large Room
The interior originally featured an altar and two alcoves, with the arch of the ceiling clearly exposed. The alcoves have been walled in, although the arch is still visible, where the mural is now. The Hobsons have resurfaced the interior ceiling and added the mural, also by artist Roberta Audette. More of Audette's work is also on the kitchen cabinets Mand in the bathroom, as well as in the entry. Confessionals from a church in Cleveland are used as a room divider. The painting, "Sisters", is by Port Townsend artist Jackie Chisick. The curved oak pew dates from the 1890s and comes from Wa Seattle church. The insulated window coverings were made by Warm Windows of Port Townsend.

Other recent features include a spiral staircase, a bookcase wall, and parquet oak floors in the kitchen. Projected plans include exposing an original door in the rear wall as entrance into the present apartment, which will become a new kitchen.

Some data modified from the National Register Information System. Many descriptions used by permission of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce. All material copyrighted by PTguide.com.