OUR HISTORY
With early roots dating back to 1884, First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham has been an established congregational presence in Whatcom County for over 140 years. Initially named “First Church” and with attendance hovering around 15, the first services were held in a schoolhouse until a church building was constructed in 1889 at the corner of High and Maple streets. In 1907 First Presbyterian Church was formally incorporated under state law and by March 1912 services were being held in the basement of the new building, the congregation bringing with them the bell and organ from the original building.
For over 110 years, FPC has served our community from our home on the corner of Garden and Maple streets. Our roots run deep, our tradition is rich, and our building is beautiful, but the heart of FPC is the people, inside and outside our walls, of downtown Bellingham and greater Whatcom County.
Church History
Stained Glass
A main architectural highlight of the church building is the stained glass that adorns nearly every window. Featured among the stained glass is the grand memorial window on the front side of the building, which was dedicated in honor of Rev. James Thompson who died with many others in an avalanche in the Cascades while on The Great Northern Railroad. The window was modeled after William Holman Hunt’s painting “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”