St. Peter’s United Methodist Church will celebrate its its 50th Anniversary on Sept. 14 with a special service at 10:30 a.m. and buffet lunch and reception. Founding members will attend and will reminisce about

helping to build a church when Bellevue’s population was 14,350 and was growing rapidly.

Founding member Judy Ellis recalls moving from Seattle to Bellevue and being asked by church officials in Seattle to help help organize a new Methodist church on the Eastside.

“It was a good fit for our family,” Ellis said, “close to home, more convenient for our children, a chance to engage in more of the church activities we enjoyed and among our friends coming from Seattle First.”

In addition to providing a faith home for people on the Eastside, St. Peter’s began a tradition of outreach to the community. Now, 50 years later, Bellevue’s population is estimated at 134,000 – almost 10 times larger.

And, St. Peter’s has continued its tradition, creating a child care center, serving meals to the hungry, bringing worship opportunities to seniors, and opening its doors to the homeless for winter shelter.

St. Peter’s received the Alliance of Eastside Agencies (AEA) Outstanding Faith Organization award in

2012. The award recognizes an exceptional faith group that has taken action and done an outstanding

community service to help those in need in the eastside community.

“We are thankful for the faithful work of those who made this church a reality,” said pastor Steve Baber. “We

will continue to be representative of God’s good works in this community and beyond for another 50

years.”

The church is located at 17222 N.E. Eighth St.