Mars Hill buying Tacoma church; plans to do $1.5M renovation

By JOURNAL STAFF

[Seattle DJC - September 11]

Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Church [enlarge]Mars Hill Church said it has a contract to purchase the First Congregational Church at 918 Division Ave. in Tacoma.

The 104-year-old building had been up for sale and was in danger of demolition. Mars Hill's bid was accepted in the summer.

Mars Hill did not disclose the sales price, though the asking price was $1.9 million. Pierce County's assessed value is $1.4 million.

Mars Hill officials said they plan to spend about $1.5 million on repairs and improvements before opening the church in the fall of 2013. A spokesman said he didn't believe an architect or general contractor had been selected.

With the addition of the Tacoma church, Mars Hill will have a 15 locations in Washington, Oregon, California and New Mexico.

Church officials said the Everett branch will move into the 40,000-square-foot Everett Armory at 2730 Oakes Ave. this fall.

In August the church announced the downtown Seattle branch will move from Belltown to the First United Methodist Church at Fifth Avenue and Marion Street. The church is now known as Daniels Recital Hall. (THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL BUILDING I WORKED ACROSS FROM AT LLF!)