Those pillars once marked the entrance of the historic Plymouth Congregational Church, built in 1873. In the late 19th century, amid widespread hatred of Chinese immigrants, this church supported immigrants’ rights. During the 1909 World’s Fair, it hosted the National American Woman Suffrage Association Convention, advocating for women’s right to vote.

After sustaining structural damage in the 1965 Puget Sound earthquake, the church was demolished in 1966. Its iconic pillars were preserved and installed in the park in 1967, serving as a unique and enduring reminder of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.