About Christ Our Hope · Seattle, Washington
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle located in Downtown Seattle at 1902 2nd Avenue, inside the historic Josephinum building at Second and Stewart. Founded on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude in 2009 and formally dedicated on August 28, 2010, it was the first new Catholic parish established in downtown Seattle in more than 40 years. The parish serves as a 'beacon of light' in the urban core, offering Mass in English and Spanish, faith formation, and a robust outreach ministry that partners with the low-income residents of the Josephinum and with many local agencies serving the homeless and unhoused.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Christ Our Hope (Christ as our hope; motto 'Spe Salvi' — Saved in Hope, from Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 encyclical)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Gary F. Lazzeroni
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
Christ Our Hope is a diverse, bilingual downtown parish intentionally rooted in the streets of Seattle. Worshippers come for vibrant Sunday liturgy in English and Spanish, a transparent faith community whose stained-glass windows open the Mass to the city, and an extensive outreach network that lets newcomers put faith into action immediately. Whether through the Sacred Encounters street ministry, the Immersion Program service days, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, or simple shared-table meals with Josephinum residents, members are welcomed into a parish whose mission is to be a 'beacon of light' for the whole downtown core.
Mass times at Christ Our Hope
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Wednesday 7:30 AM – 7:45 AM
- Thursday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
Welcome & Identity
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church in Downtown Seattle describes itself as a 'beacon of light where all are welcome to grow in Faith, Hope and Love' through vibrant liturgy, faith formation, evangelization, compassionate outreach, and responsible stewardship. The parish motto is Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope), drawn from Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 encyclical, and the community embraces the diversity of those who live, work, and visit downtown Seattle.
- Motto: Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope)
- A diverse people of God whose faith inspires hope that shows itself in love
- Located in Downtown Seattle at the Josephinum
History & Founding
Established on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude in 2009 by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett as a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Christ Our Hope was formally dedicated on August 28, 2010 — the first new downtown Catholic parish in more than 40 years. The church took the former grand dining room of the New Washington Hotel, restored under architect Steven Lee to preserve the original maple floor, ornate ceiling, and wainscoting, while blending with the pre-existing St. Joseph Chapel. Founding pastor Rev. Paul Magnano was installed at the Mass of Dedication; he served until July 4, 2018, when he was named Pastor Emeritus and a Senior Priest of the Archdiocese.
- Established 2009 by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett
- Mass of Dedication: August 28, 2010
- Architect: Steven Lee (1994 St. James Cathedral renovation)
- Founding Pastor: Rev. Paul A. Magnano (2010–2018)
Clergy & Staff
Since 2024, under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel strategic pastoral planning, Christ Our Hope has been grouped into Parish Family 17 with Immaculate Conception Church and St. James Cathedral under one pastor. The Very Rev. Gary F. Lazzeroni serves as Pastor of the family, with parochial vicars and other clergy supporting the parish.
- Very Rev. Gary F. Lazzeroni — Pastor
- Rev. Francis K. Thumbi — Parochial Vicar
- Very Rev. Michael G. Ryan — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Paul A. Magnano — Pastor Emeritus / Senior Priest
- Deacon Joseph Connor
- Deanna Tighe — Pastoral Associate
- Paula Holmes — Business Operations
- Liza Neal — Office Assistant
Outreach & Social Justice
Outreach is at the heart of Christ Our Hope's identity. Sacred Encounters, launched on March 31, sends a team of volunteers onto the streets of downtown Seattle every Wednesday to build relationships with unhoused neighbors and distribute survival items (including fresh PBJs). The Care Team is a lay-led telephone ministry that reaches out to parishioners, especially the most vulnerable. The parish also runs an active Catholic Relief Services chapter, an annual Advent Ethical Trade Sale, and participation in the Rice Bowl program during Lent.
- Sacred Encounters (Wednesday street outreach)
- Care Team telephone ministry
- Catholic Relief Services Parish Ambassador Corps
- Advent Ethical Trade Sale
- Rice Bowl Program (Lent)
Immersion Program
The Immersion Program is one of Christ Our Hope's most prominent outreach ministries. An immersion is a facilitated day of prayer, service, fellowship, and reflection, typically for visiting student or parish groups. The day opens in prayer with a priest or deacon, moves to two hours of hands-on service at the Josephinum or with a partner agency, and closes with a shared-table meal where participants sit in pairs with Josephinum residents to break bread and build genuine relationships.
- Day of prayer, service, fellowship, and reflection
- Service at the Josephinum or with partner agencies
- Shared-table meal with Josephinum residents
- Reflection and closing prayer
Partner Agencies
Christ Our Hope partners with a wide network of local and global organizations, supporting them through the Immersion Program, fiscal contributions, parishioner volunteers, and in-kind donations. These partnerships reflect the parish's commitment to living out Catholic Social Teaching in downtown Seattle and beyond.
- Catholic Relief Services
- Mary's Place
- Real Change
- Downtown Urban Rest Stop
- New Horizons
- Recovery Café
- Heritage House
- Operation Nightwatch
- Union Gospel Mission
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Pike Market Food Bank
- Market Commons
- Plymouth Housing
The Josephinum & Building Community
The Josephinum is the largest property operated by Catholic Housing Services in Western Washington and the home of Christ Our Hope. With 221 low-income units, the building houses approximately 250 individuals. The parish's relationship with its neighbors — sharing meals, hosting bingo, and offering Friday Fellowship with snacks and a listening ear — is the visible heart of the community.
- 14-story former New Washington Hotel
- 221 low-income units; ~250 residents
- Owned by the Archdiocese of Seattle since 1963
- Friday Fellowship, shared meals, and bingo games with residents
Young Adults & Spe Salvi Group
Christ Our Hope has a growing community of young adults (ages 18–35) drawn by its downtown location. The Spe Salvi group is a lectio divina-inspired faith-sharing community that meets every other Wednesday after the 6:30 PM Mass, with topics drawn from contemporary theology. Young Professionals also gather monthly for a happy hour at Kells.
- Spe Salvi — every other Wednesday after 6:30 PM Mass
- Young Professionals Happy Hour — third Tuesday of the month at Kells
- Topics have included Liberation Theology
Sacraments & Becoming a Parishioner
Because Christ Our Hope is a personal parish with no geographic boundaries, anyone can register as a parishioner and call the parish home. Information about Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Eucharist, and Confirmation is available through the parish office, and registration can be completed online at christourhopeseattle.org/join.
- Personal parish — anyone can register
- Sacramental preparation available through the parish office
- Register online at /join
Engage With Us (Groups & Calendar)
The parish maintains a weekly rhythm of in-person and Zoom gatherings designed to keep parishioners connected, supported, and engaged in formation and outreach.
- Wednesday 11:00 AM — Sacred Encounters Street Outreach
- Wednesday 4:00 PM — Breaking Open the Word Gospel Reflections (Zoom)
- Monthly 5:00 PM — CRS Chapter Meeting
- Monthly 6:30 PM — St. Vincent de Paul Conference Meeting
Visit, Address & Contact
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church is located inside the Josephinum at the corner of Second Avenue and Stewart Street in Downtown Seattle. The parish office can be reached by phone, and Sunday Masses are livestreamed on Facebook and recorded on the parish YouTube channel.
- Address: 1902 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101-1155
- Phone: (206) 448-8826
- Website: christourhopeseattle.org
- Live Mass on Facebook; recordings on YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul A. MagnanoAugust 28, 2010 – July 4, 2018
Founding pastor; Seattle native from Queen Anne Hill, ordained December 21, 1967 at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Installed by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett at the Mass of Dedication. Now Pastor Emeritus / Senior Priest of the Archdiocese.
- Fr. William Heric2018 – c. 2022
Succeeded Fr. Magnano; during his tenure the parish's Spe Salvi young-adult faith-sharing group and pastoral reflections flourished.
- Very Rev. Gary F. LazzeroniPresent
Current pastor; under Partners in the Gospel (2024), leads Christ Our Hope together with Immaculate Conception and St. James Cathedral as Parish Family 17.