The congregation that constructed West Central Abbey’s building was founded in 1892 by a group of Episcopalians who had settled on the north bank of the Spokane River during a period of growth in the city after the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway. In 1895, English architect Arthur Permain designed a permanent building for the congregation, now known as Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. After World War II, congregants continued to worship in the building as “white flight” changed the demographics of the surrounding neighborhoods. Over time however, the parish slowly declined, and in 2013 Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was closed. After this closure, the diocese began organizing a weekly “Dinner Table” meal to serve the neighborhood, which was experiencing disinvestment and social challenges.

In 2018 the new, current congregation was founded by a group of young adults committed to cultivating community and serving the neighborhood. In addition to re-launching “Dinner Table” in 2023, West Central Abbey has partnered with the West Central Neighborhood Council to host an opioid education event on safely using Naloxone to prevent overdose, and with the Washington State Department of Health to serve as a free Naloxone distribution site. West Central Abbey is a member of the Spokane Alliance, a broad-based, community-organizing network, which often meets in their space. The Finding Human Project theater company rehearses there and the congregation has hosted stand-alone arts events like concerts, but the lack of bathrooms is a deterrent to more broad space sharing.

A National Fund grant of $50,000 grant with $50,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will support critical repairs to the church’s siding and chapel floors. The grant will also fund the installation of an ADA compliant bathroom in the chapel that will increase the church’s ability to collaborate and serve its community.

West Central Abbey Photo by Reverend Jonathan Myers

First Church in Oberlin