On May 17, the Queen Anne Baptist Church Turns 100 with a Community Block Party (1)
Part 1: written by Rev. Dr. Victoria Carr-Ware, of the Queen Anne Baptist Church
This two-part article focuses on the Saturday May 17, Community Block Party celebrating the100th Anniversary of the Queen Anne Baptist Church at 2011 1st Ave. N. Part 1 explores the church’s incredible community work. Part 2 examines its architectural history. Reverend Doctor Victoria Carr-Ware prepared Part 1. Michael Herschensohn wrote Part 2 in collaboration with Pastor Vicky.
Article announcing the dedication of the church from the Seattle Daily Times, page 4, Saturday, June 6, 1925.
Part 1
A Legacy of Faith and Community
QABC’s story begins with the Swedish and German Baptist traditions in Seattle. Its mother church, First Baptist Church—founded in 1869—played a pivotal role in establishing multiple congregations, including Scandinavian Baptist (1883), Mt. Zion Baptist (1890), Japanese Baptist (1891), and Chinese Baptist (1892). In 1886, Rev. D.J. Pierce of First Baptist Church initiated a Mission Sunday School in North Seattle, which later became North Seattle Baptist Church in 1889—the same year Washington became a state. The church grew and changed names over the years, reflecting shifts in Seattle’s population and congregation needs, eventually becoming Queen Anne Baptist Church in 1923.
Incorporated in 1918, QABC overcame numerous challenges, including economic downturns and logistical hurdles, to establish its current home at 2011 1st Ave N. Over the years, the church has expanded to meet the needs of its growing congregation, adding educational facilities and supporting community programs.
Commitment to Justice and Inclusivity
Throughout its history, Queen Anne Baptist Church has been dedicated to social justice and outreach. In 1940, the church sponsored a Latvian refugee family fleeing persecution during the Holocaust. During World War II, QABC's Women's Mission Society formed the Japanese Board at Queen Anne Baptist, advocating against discrimination toward Japanese Americans. Meeting notes from that time emphasize the importance of ensuring that Japanese people did not suffer discrimination. Church members met the buses carrying their Japanese neighbors away to internment camps and continued to visit friends at the camps in Idaho, making the journey back and forth to provide support. Decades later, in 1974, QABC played a key role in establishing "The Shelter," a safe haven for runaway youth. In 2004, Rev. Cathy Johnson became QABC’s first female pastor, and in 2021, the congregation completed a discernment process to become an LGBTQIA+ Welcoming and Affirming church and later joined the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists in June 2023.
Between 2018 and 2021, under the leadership of Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, QABC made a firm commitment to dismantling racism in the church and society. The church initiated several efforts to educate, support, and promote inclusivity, including holding monthly discussions on books and films by authors of color, which led to diversifying Children's Church materials and worship content. The congregation also assessed artwork in the church, seeking to support Black and Indigenous artists and provide diverse representations of Jesus. Additionally, QABC intentionally supported Black and other POC-owned businesses by choosing them when providing meals for New Horizons Youth Ministries. Worship services incorporated prayers and music by Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, further strengthening the church’s commitment to inclusivity.
Since 2022, QABC has continued its outreach by partnering with the Queen Anne Food Bank for a monthly sandwich ministry, with community volunteers—including Girl Scouts—making 300 sandwiches for people experiencing food insecurity. The church’s support for New Horizons Youth Ministries and Real Rent Duwamish continues, and they are researching ways to partner with the Queen Anne Helpline and the Union Gospel Mission to expand its social justice efforts.
Looking to the Future
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Victoria Carr-Ware—QABC’s first Black Senior Pastor and the first person of color to serve in this role—the church continues to embrace diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. In January 2025, Rev. Alex Booker was appointed as Associate Pastor for Social Justice and Outreach, further solidifying QABC’s commitment to advocacy and equity.
Today, QABC stands as one of the most intercultural, multiethnic, and intergenerational churches in Queen Anne, with a congregation representing a broad spectrum of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The church is also connected to nearby institutions such as Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University, attracting a growing number of students and young adults.
As it celebrates its centennial, Queen Anne Baptist Church remains dedicated to fostering a welcoming community, promoting social justice, and nurturing the leadership of future generations. The 100th-anniversary block party is not just a celebration of the past but a testament to the church’s ongoing mission and bright future.
The congregation, staff and religious leaders of QABC hope to see you on May 17, 2025, for a day of joy, connection, and celebration as we honor 100 years of faith and service in Queen Anne!
Meet Queen Anne Historical Society by the 1958 cornerstone for a tour of the church at 12:30, 1;30, 2:30 or 3:30 on May 17.