brief History of
grace episcopal church
ellensburg, washington

Grace Church has been an integral part of the Ellensburg community since before Washington became a state. Formed in 1888, the early church members met in the courtyard of a home, where worshipers were closely and intimately involved in the liturgy. We've grown and changed over the years, yet maintain a caring, affirming and active presence in our community. We extend a loving welcome to all and encourage you to worship with us often.

The first Women’s Guild was organized in 1889 and in that first year they purchased a lectern, an altar, and a lot at Fourth and Sprague for a proposed church building. In 1897 we built our first church structure on the corner of Fourth and Sprague in downtown Ellensburg. This was our home until 1964.

We moved to a new site and constructed our current church building in 1965. The building is striking in appearance and functional in design. It includes a unique Brombaugh pipe organ, and beautiful, contemporary stained-glass windows. Our building’s design, by the notable Seattle area church crchitect Robert Durham (of Durham, Anderson & Freed) encourages us to honor the principles of our early Christian worship, which include the tradition of an involved and participating laity.

The exterior of the church is an honest, straightforward form that has an affinity with the surrounding rural setting. Inside, the Christian family gathers around the altar for its “family meal,” the Holy Communion. The pulpit and altar represent both the outward thrust and the inward concerns of the Christian community. The Gospel is read and proclaimed to all. The entire Church becomes our symbol of outreach.