It’s the sort of yarn that could be dismissed as apocryphal, a tale that’s grown taller over a century of telling.

But to believe the meeting minutes, when 14 of Bainbridge Island’s founding citizens – the sort of folks for whom streets are named, as a past Review writer aptly put it – decided in 1882 to form a church, they chose the congregational faith because it was “the least objectionable” among the various Christian denominations.

Not the most ringing of endorsements. And yet, the institution they established at Winslow Way and Madison Avenue endures more than a century later. As reported elsewhere in this issue, the church building itself faces considerable physical challenges; the steeple, so long a landmark of our downtown, may end up in the parking lot without some attention. But the congregation some 200 strong has resolved to shore up the structure and renew its place in the community. They hope others will contribute to the cause.

Over the years, such venues as schools, government buildings and meeting halls have supplanted the church as the center of non-sectarian gatherings. Why should non-members – or non-church-goers, for that matter – care about a building they may only think about while driving by, if at all?

They say of the government, “it’s the enemy, until you need a friend.” The same can be said of the church (and we believe this is true regardless of denomination): you may not care for it, but it’s there when you need it. And islanders have needed it. We recall the hours after the terrorist attacks of 2001, when unfamiliar faces filled Eagle Harbor’s pews in search of answers and meaning. When the community rallied against racism, the church grounds were the obvious place to gather. Generations have used the sanctuary for weddings, funerals and other of life’s milestones. And no one can say how many souls have been moved to cross its threshold when no other refuge was apparent. Whether they ever planned to return didn’t matter; the doors would be open.

In the interest of full disclosure, we should acknowledge that while not a member, the editor of this newspaper attends Eagle Harbor Congregational Church with some regularity, at least when it’s not football season. Nevertheless, we can say with confidence that the Review would proffer its endorsement of our downtown church’s restoration in any event. On a changing island, it remains a steadfast symbol of our historic past, and of principles much older still.

Eagle Harbor’s founders could have chosen any faith; by happenstance, design or a little of both, they aligned themselves with mainline congregationalists. Some of you may go there, some elsewhere or not at all. Yet after more than a century of service, the downtown church belongs to the community, whether or not the community belongs to the church.

We trust that many will see their interest in its stewardship, and will pay a call.