Whispers of history cling to the very stones of Saint Anne Catholic Church. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to faith resilience and the spirit of a community.
Picture this. Early 1900s Queen Anne Hill. Catholics yearned for their own parish. Forty families petitioned Bishop O’Dea. He appointed Fr. Patrick Byrne. The dream began. But illness struck Fr. Byrne. Another Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Chapotan took the reins. He became Saint Anne Parish’s first pastor.
The church a modest wood frame and stucco structure slowly took shape. It cost $25000 a hefty sum then. On December 20 1908 Bishop O’Dea dedicated the church. Fr Chapotan celebrated the first Mass. Four hundred people could attend. The rectory was a mere room at the back.
Seattle boomed. Queen Anne Hill boomed with it. But Saint Anne’s faced challenges. The church was falling apart. A school was needed. A convent for the Holy Names Sisters was vital.
Enter Fr. Thomas P. Quain. A visionary pastor. He built rebuilt or planned nearly every structure. The school opened in 1923 with 150 children. More books had to be ordered immediately. A beautiful convent followed. Newspapers called it a miniature monastic church.
The Great Depression hit hard. But Fr. Quain’s will and the parishioners’ faith kept Saint Anne’s alive. World War II brought more change. The parish needed a new church. Sunday Masses were held upstairs and downstairs. The old church was bursting at the seams.
Msgr. Quain died in 1959 a sad day but the spirit of Saint Anne’s remained strong. Fr. Bernard Cremer became the fourth pastor. A new church costing $611520 was built. It was dedicated in 1963.
The 1960s brought the Second Vatican Council. The church transformed. The Latin Mass was gone. The priest faced the congregation.
The 1970s and 80s saw more changes. New pastors came and went. But Saint Anne’s continued to grow. Then Fr. Bob Camuso arrived. He led a massive renovation. The church school and parish hall were completely remodeled.
In 2008 Saint Anne celebrated its centennial. The church was renovated again. A new baptismal font was installed. Circular pews were added. The results delighted everyone.
From humble beginnings to a magnificent renovation Saint Anne Catholic Church stands as a beacon of faith on Queen Anne Hill. Its history is a testament to community perseverance and the enduring power of prayer. A light on the hill indeed.