Perhaps you’ve noticed the tall bell tower as you approach Our Lady of the Lake Church. It stands as a testament to the church’s long history. Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church has been a cornerstone of the Wedgwood neighborhood since its early days.
Initially, in 1929, a Catholic chapel named St. Ignatius started in a log house. The Jesuits of Seattle University established it. They intended to move the university to this northeast Seattle site. However, the Great Depression changed their plans. The log house at NE 81st Street became a chapel.
In November 1929, the first Mass was held at St. Ignatius. 128 people attended. This was far more than the small chapel could hold.
By 1940, the Jesuits decided to keep Seattle University on First Hill. They sold the St. Ignatius property to developer Albert Balch. Balch planned the Wedgwood housing development there.
As the Wedgwood neighborhood grew, the Catholic community needed a new home. The regional Catholic Church authority found property on 35th Ave NE at NE 89th Street. Here, Our Lady of the Lake parish was formed. The new church building was completed in February 1941. Architect Paul Thiry designed it to hold 350 people.
But Wedgwood’s population boomed after World War Two. Albert Balch built starter homes for returning veterans. More and more families joined Our Lady of the Lake. By the 1950s, the parish had nearly 3000 members. A parish school opened in 1948 and expanded in 1949.
After only twenty years, the original church building was too small. In 1960, the decision was made to tear it down. A larger church was built on the same site.
Roger Gotteland designed the new Our Lady of the Lake Church. His goal was to accommodate at least 800 people. He also wanted to reduce traffic noise from 35th Ave NE. So, the entrances were placed on the sides of the building.
The new church was completed in 1961. The building’s height is just over 40 feet. This gives the interior a spacious feeling. The exterior brickwork matches the other buildings on the site. The bell tower is made of precast concrete. It stands 80 feet tall and is topped by a 15-foot cross. At the base of the bell tower, there is a shrine to Our Lady of the Lake. It features a statue and a reflecting pool.
Our Lady of the Lake remains an active parish today. It has more than 800 families. Improvements to the church and school continue. A new community gathering space called Jubilee Hall opened in 2014.
Our Lady of the Lake has adapted to the changing needs of its community. The history of Our Lady of the Lake reflects the growth of the Wedgwood neighborhood. It is a place of faith, community, and architectural beauty.