Off WA 12, Claquato, Washington. County/parish: Lewis.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places April 24, 1973. NRIS 73001882.
1 contributing building.
Claquato Church is a historic Methodist church located in the former community of Claquato, Washington. The structure is recognized as the oldest standing church building in the state of Washington and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Originally meant as a Presbyterian house of worship when construction began in 1857, the church was dedicated in 1858 under Methodist ministry. The church was built by local residents, and without debt, on land donated by the Davis family, founders of the town of Claquato, the original county seat of Lewis County, Washington. The building was also used as a schoolhouse in its first years, known as the Claquato Academy.
The church began to wane after 1874 when the county government shifted to nearby Chehalis. Religious functions ceased and the building fell into disrepair. Two major renovations, in 1929 and 1953, helped restore the church however the structure remained closed except for special occasions. The county officially took over ownership of the site in 1948. In July 2025, the Lewis County board of commissioners placed the church up for sale. Deeming the building and property to be of "no value", the county cited high costs of maintenance, as well as additional financial concerns stemming from a backlog of repairs, in its determination to sell the landmark.
The small, 600-square-foot (56 m2) rectangular church is noted for its two-tiered steeple topped with a wooden crown of thorns. A bronze bell, manufactured for the church in 1857, remains in the bell tower. The sanctuary takes up most of the interior space which contains original wooden pews. Situated on the grounds are several markers and plaques denoting key historical events either to the church or the community. The Claquato Cemetery, a separate entity, is located north of the church.
(read more...)National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75612820