A former Protestant congregation in Arlington is holding mass baptisms as part of its conversion to Orthodoxy

St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Arlington, Washington, reports significant growth in its congregation. On September 26, 29 people were baptized at the church, and another 78 are preparing to join the Church and are currently in the catechumenate.

According to , a source reports that in 2026 alone, the parish—which has 310 members—has already baptized about 65 people. Over the past three years, the number of parishioners has doubled. Among those who converted to Orthodoxy at the end of September were young families, young adults, and four infants. The church’s rector, Father David Hovik, notes that the community strives to follow the traditional practices of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, remaining faithful to Christian doctrine in the modern world.

Background: St. Andrew’s Parish converted to Orthodoxy about 30 years ago, having previously been a Protestant congregation. Today, the faithful actively continue their missionary work in the region located between Seattle and the Canadian border.