Friends of Swansonville Now Owns the Historic Church!
Hello, neighbors and supporters!
We have incredible news to share from the Friends of Swansonville! Our mission to preserve the most notable landmark at the corner of Swansonville and Werner Road—the beloved Swansonville Church—has reached a pivotal milestone.
We Own the Church!
The deed to the Swansonville Church was officially recorded to the Friends of Swansonville (FOS) on May 21, 2020.
This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support and commitment of Myron Swanson, grandson of the original builders, Hans and Helene Swanson. Myron, with the help of FOS, represented the family through a legal "quiet title" process to reclaim the long-abandoned building. He and his wife, Nancy, then generously quit-claimed the church over to our organization so it could be saved.
This year-long process has forged very special relationships, and we are eternally grateful to the entire Swanson family. A special thank you also to Kendra Hermanson, daughter of Myron and Nancy and a dedicated FOS board member, for her pivotal role.
Our Vision for the Future
With the recent private sale of the parsonage next door, our scope has adjusted slightly, but our vision remains strong. We are focused on restoring and preserving the building to create a community venue for:
Local events and meetings
Educational classes
A historical museum highlighting the Port Ludlow area
Honor the Past. Educate. Celebrate the Future.
State of the church building, April 2019.
Other Key Updates & How You Can Help
National Registry: Our application, prepared by the wonderful Jake Thomas, is in Olympia for review! The timeline is uncertain due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are hopeful.
Calling All Grant Writers!: We are a small but mighty team and need volunteers skilled in grant writing and management to help us secure crucial restoration funding.
Donations: All donations are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the Jefferson County Historical Society (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit). Please contact us if you need a receipt.
Join Us!: Visit our website or email us to donate, help with grants, or sign up for future work parties.
Mailing Address: Friends of Swansonville, P.O. Box 1603, Port Hadlock, WA 98339
Thank you for being part of this journey to save our sweet church!
The Friends of Swansonville Board
