Photography

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Katie Costello, center, sings during Sunday services at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle in the century-old First United Methodist Church building. The congregation held its first services there Christmas Eve, but kept working to ready the facility for its grand opening.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Mars Hill Downtown Seattle celebrates its grand opening at the former First United Methodist Church building on Sunday.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Tim Gaydos, lead pastor for Mars Hill Downtown Seattle, center, talks with Joshua Johnson and his mother Amy Johnson-- descendants of Seattle founders David and Louisa Denny. Mars Hill Downtown Seattle celebrated its grand opening in the historic, downtown building on Sunday.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

During the early service, founding pastor Mark Driscoll speaks in a video sermon at the grand opening of Mars Hill Downtown Seattle, now housed in the former First United Methodist Church. Driscoll spoke in person during the next service.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshippers pray at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle during their grand opening in the the former First United Methodist Church building Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshipers pray at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle during their grand opening in the the former First United Methodist Church building Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Alec Whitmore, 19, from left, Nicole Rodriguez, 18, Corinne Sampson, 18, and Carly Smith, 19, listen to services at the Mars Hill Downtown Seattle Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Nicole Rodriguez, 18, takes notes during services at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012. The congregation, housed in one the city's oldest churches, offers three services on Sundays.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The century-old First United Methodist Church building now houses Mars Hill Downtown Seattle. Before the move, the congregation conducted services at a remodeled Belltown nightclub.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Members of the Mars Hill Downtown Seattle congregation listen to services Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Jacqueline Hill, center, worships with members of the Mars Hill Downtown Seattle congregation Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012. The church plans to preserve the historic building as much as possible.