Hiram Burnett - Religious Activity

Religious Activity

While employed by Pope & Talbot he spent periods of lesser activity at the mill in touring Puget Sound during which time he both prospected for business buying timber and cutting logs. He spent considerable time evangelizing to the Indians and distributing bibles and prayer books in this he was active with Rev. Benjamin Wistar Morris. Mr. Burnett is the recognized father of Trinity Episcopal Church, of Seattle, which was founded in 1865, and the first church erected in 1869. He was one of time first Vestrymen, and served in that capacity and as Senior Warden up to 1889, when he withdrew to assist in time organization of St. Mark's Church, in which he has continued as Senior Warden. While in the performance of mill work about the Sound he was always active in Sunday-school work, and lots done much pioneer work in that capacity, always exerting his influence on the side of morality and in the upbuilding of Christian institutions. He was first a layreader and ordained as a deacon.

As a pioneer and citizen Mr. Burnett stands in the same relation to Seattle and the Sound country as such old citizens as Arthur A. Denny, Thomas Mercer, Henry Van Asselt, George Whitworth, John J. McGilvra, Orange Jacobs, Dexter Horton, and many others, who are regarded not only as the pioneers but as the most honored men of the State of Washington today.