The church was organized officially on Jan. 5, 1964, as Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Floyd E. Cronkite was organizing pastor and remained to serve as pastor for more than 30 years.

The first worship service had been held in the Northshore School District's Ricketts School auditorium on Jan. 5, 1963, and was attended by 100 people, a number that has remained close to the church population over the years.

The church found its current site on 3.5 acres of the old Beckstrom farm atop a hill about a mile north of Bothell city center. Two loans were involved, one for the property, including the old farm house, which became the Christian Education Center and one for the sanctuary, which the congregation helped erect through its volunteer labor. Both of the buildings were dedicated on Oct. 16, 1966. Bruce Hall was purchased, a building moved from its original site as the chapel of Bothell Funeral Home to become the congregational social center, a fellowship hall.

When organized, Emmanuel United Presbyterian Church was a member of the Seattle Presbytery. It was active in that presbytery, playing its part in the development of the Buck Creek Camp area, including the labor involved in the construction of the original dormitory, kitchen and assembly center.

On Jan. 18, 1969, 21 churches from the Presbytery of Bellingham and 10 from Seattle Presbytery met for the first time as the Presbytery of North Puget Sound. Emmanuel was one of the Seattle Presbytery churches that merged at that first meeting.

From its beginning, Emmanuel was very much a community church. It fits the most desirable definition of a "small" church. Its service to God and the community is marked by two tracks: participation in the healing and helpful activities of the municipality, and provision of a place of learning, healing and rest for those who seek the love of God, spiritual discovery and cure. It serves that function well, for many have come, found what they needed and moved on.

We actively supported the refugee settlement of the post-Vietnam era, accepting several families under care.

The church was at the forefront of ministry to youth in the dark times of drugs in the 1960s and 1970s. It began by hosting and providing volunteers for the confrontational treatment of teen drug addiction through peer interaction. That track was followed with the full support of volunteers from the congregation for the "Inc Spot," an Involved Northshore Community coffee house and drop-in center, a place for conversation and relaxation in a safe environment. Businessmen from the congregation were particularly active in those efforts. They raised a great deal of money to keep the drop-in center a place of refuge.

Our church also demonstrated its service to youth over much the same period through its youth group. A very active group in social activities, discussions and worship, the group activity frequently included as many as 35 teens -- many with no other connection to the church. Again, it was a place of refuge in very trying times for young people.

We continue that service. Our emphasis now is stated in the second paragraph of our Vision Statement: "To create a stronger bond between our ministries for both young and old, we will nurture the love of God in Jesus Christ among children, youth and their parents in our church family and in our community."

Our youth group and the educational emphasis on children and young people continue through the Christian Education activity and worship, including time set aside specifically for them in the Sunday morning service.

One other point distinguishes our church. Congregational members, lay persons, frequently fill our pulpit in the absence of our pastor. This not only provides a service, but also is an education, as members of the congregation instruct one another, and learn much in the process. God can speak through any one of us, and it is good.

It is one way of living up to our motto, "Every member a minister." Through the years, there have been 446 ministers for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, including three that were hired.