The Yellow Church the Neighbors Want Gone
A Renton Addition resident airs a neighborhood feud over a 'mission church' on Hyde and Filbert streets that blocks the view, lowers property values — and that its owner refuses to move, even at the neighbors' expense.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
To the editor: As to the yellow frame building in Renton addition, on the corner of Hyde and Filbert streets, miscalled "a mission church," but which, in fact, is an eyesore and nuisance to the whole neighborhood, I take the privilege of correcting some statements published by you on the 27th inst. from its owner, Rev. J. S. Frazer.
Although a next door neighbor, I have never sought an interview with him on the subject, but all conversations have been of his own seeking. No special religious use has been made of the structure in all the time it has stood there, obstructing the view of adjacent residences, preventing the improvement of the neighborhood and reducing the value of surrounding property. In fact, I have in my possession letters from representatives of the United Presbyterian body stating that he is hostile to the genius and practices of that denomination, for which he professes said building was erected.
In vain has a standing offer been made by neighbors to move said building back a proper distance from Hyde street, or to another equally eligible lot, at our own expense. The only reasons given for his noncompliance with the wishes of the neighborhood have been that it would interfere with his small garden patch that now gets but little sun, and with his arbitrary right to do what he pleases with his own. I submit that such course is not consistent with due regard for the rights and wishes of others or with good citizenship. Respectfully, J. H. Perkins.
“The only reasons given ... have been that it would interfere with his small garden patch that now gets but little sun, and with his arbitrary right to do what he pleases with his own.”
This is a small masterpiece of Seattle neighborhood grievance: a property that blocks views, depresses home values, and gets a committee of neighbors offering to pay to move it themselves. It is the same fight that plays out at modern neighborhood meetings and city hearings over eyesores, view corridors and land use — one person's 'right to do what he pleases with his own' against the block's idea of a good neighbor.
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