One of West Seattle's newest historical landmark will soon be hosting events like a Halloween Silent Horror Movie Night, Sunday concerts with coffee and pastries and prix frixe dinners with local chefs.

Sanctuary at Admiral - a former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist church - won historical landmark status from the city in a vote on Aug. 5, making it possible for the venue to obtain a conditional use permit for hosting events as an economic incentive to upkeep the property.

"We've finished the application process and are now waiting for the city to go over everything and give the go ahead," said proprietress Dahli Bennett.

In 2003 Bennett bought the 80-year-old church to live in with her three daughters. But using it as a residence there reverted the zoning to residential status.

After hosting a friend's wedding there in 2006, other events followed and the Sanctuary at Admiral as a venue was born. But under the residential status Bennett had to obtain special permits to host events on a case-by-case basis.

"We want this to become more and more community oriented place," said Bennett, who grew up in Burien and West Seattle. "It was recommended to me by the city that this route, making it an historical landmark and then applying for a conditional use permit was the best way to go".

"I think it's a no brainer, some people will drive by and say, 'I don't get it, what's so special about this building (...) '" said local artist Steve Klinkel when asked about the Sanctuary becoming a landmark. "When they walk through the doors and peek inside, these people will say... 'I get it.'"

Landmark status is also "a way for me to protect it for future generations," said Bennett, who hopes her daughters will take over operations someday.

The former Christian Science church is located at 42nd and Lander, in a residential area across from Hiawatha Playfield. Bennett was sold the church over developers because she wanted to preserve it, and neighbors were happy condos wouldn't be built in it's place, said Bennett.

"There is a certain West Seattle mindset and the Sanctuary fits that mindset," said Peggy Ganong, a West Seattleite. "There is a vintage feel, a neighborhood feel and the Sanctuary really reflects that."

Ganong has held two events at the Sanctuary and looks forward to working with Dahli on community events in the future, such as French Movie Night.

Bennett's vision for The Sanctuary was to "keep what's old, old" and just "doll it up a bit" she said. She did so by using recycled materials to spruce the space up, including the original church pews and speaker stand, commissioning local artists like Steve Klinkel, and restoring the life that was already present in the building.

"It is warm and inviting with whimsical and vintage decor that makes your eyes and mind busy with discovery," said Klinkel.

Bennett and her "event mistress," Jennifer Thompson, are eagerly awaiting the go-ahead to start planning events and getting more people in to enjoy the West Seattle treasure.

"There is no other gathering space as unique as this in West Seattle," said Klinkel. "A true one of a kind West Seattle space that over the years I hope allot of people will get to enjoy."