HISTORY OF MANITO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

 

The land that is now called Spokane’s South Hill was largely undeveloped until Spokane businessman Francis Cook donated to the city the land he owned. This became Manito Park. Cliff Park and Cannon Hill Park were soon established, stimulating development of residential and mixed-use neighborhoods in the area.

 

In 1904, Grinnell Real Estate platted the land in the vicinity of 29th Avenue and Grand Blvd, and also constructed streets, sidewalks, and water mains in the area they named Manito.

 

In 1906, a group of Baptists and Methodists organized a Sunday school which met in a small, wooden schoolhouse located at 37th Ave and Hatch Rd.

 

By 1908, the Methodists outnumbered the Baptists, and the group voted to organize a Methodist Episcopal church. City missionary Rev. Armfield, assisted by Moran Prairie’s Methodist pastor Rev. Kirkman, led the building effort.

 

In 1910 the first Manito Methodist Episcopal Church was built at 502 E. 33rd. Ave.

 

By 1921, church attendees had outgrown the little church. Church members Seymour and Mary Birch donated three lots and $30,000 to build a new church at 33rd. and Grand Blvd. Mr. Birch, who had traveled extensively in Europe, envisioned a church modeled after Italy’s Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. He chose noted architect Kirtland Cutter to design his vision. Construction began in 1923 and was finished in 1924. Unfortunately, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Birch lived to see its completion. But their dream of a church that would serve the community did become a reality. The south-facing, large rose window in the sanctuary balcony is dedicated to Mary Birch.

 

The church continued to grow. By the late 1950s, plans were made for an education wing and a new sanctuary. Architect George Rasque designed the new facility, but funds for the new sanctuary were never raised.

 

Consequently, what stands today is a unique church representing both mid-century modern and Italian Renaissance architecture. The entire structure was placed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places in 2016.