“Dear Friend” a letter began. This wasn’t just any letter. It was a plea a cry from the heart of Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood in 1916. Mrs Anna Mitchell a non-Catholic woman wrote to Bishop Edward O’Dea about the lack of a Catholic church in her area. Many Catholic families lived there their children unable to attend Mass. Her words sparked a movement a chain reaction that led to the establishment of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in 1917.
This is Saint John Catholic Church. Stand here and feel the weight of history. Father William Quigley an Irish priest became the founding pastor. The first Masses weren’t held in a grand church. They were in an amusement hall. Imagine the transformation the transition from laughter and revelry to the quiet reverence of Mass. Father Quigley and his parishioners cleared the hall each Sunday preparing it for sacred worship.
Saint John Catholic Church quickly outgrew its humble beginnings. A frame church was built in 1918 on the current site at 121 N 80th Street. The church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a community center. It hosted socials bazaars and catechism classes. These events helped financially support the parish and strengthen the bonds between its members. The church’s school Saint John the Evangelist Parish School opened in 1923. 220 children attended. This was no small feat. Anti-Catholic sentiment was high. The Ku Klux Klan even tried to close the school. But the school persevered. The parish’s resilience reflects the unwavering faith of its community.
The Romanesque style church you see today opened in 1931. Designed by architect Abraham Albertson this beautiful building stands as a testament to the parish’s growth and perseverance. It’s an architectural masterpiece. Think of the countless prayers whispered within its walls the generations that have found solace and strength here. A convent was completed in 1944 providing a home for the sisters who served the parish. Further expansion included Egan Hall a gymnasium and parish hall built in 1957.
In 2008 the church underwent extensive renovations. These improvements ensured that the building would continue to serve the community for many years to come. Saint John Catholic Church isn’t just a building. It’s a living legacy. It’s a story of faith perseverance and community. It’s a place where generations have come together to worship to learn and to support one another. It continues to serve the Greenwood neighborhood and extends its reach to Peru and Malawi. The spirit of Mrs Mitchell’s letter still resonates here. The church stands as a beacon a testament to the power of faith and the enduring strength of the human spirit.