About Holy Family · Clarkston, Washington
Holy Family Catholic Church is a welcoming Roman Catholic parish in Clarkston, Washington, situated at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers across from Lewiston, Idaho. Established as a parish within the Diocese of Spokane in 1915, it grew from an 1867 Jesuit mission station and today serves the wider Asotin/Garfield County area with weekly Masses, an attached parish school, OCIA/RCIA formation, youth ministry, and outreach ministries. The current pastor is Father Jeff Core, and the parish continues to be shaped by worship, sacraments, education, fellowship, and service to others.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Jeff Core
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
Holy Family Catholic Parish is a welcoming faith community in Clarkston, Washington, rooted in more than a century of worship on the Snake–Clearwater confluence. Members gather five days a week for Mass, with weekly Confession, a Wednesday Holy Hour, and active lay ministry — Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, greeters, altar servers, and choir. A parish school (K–8), OCIA/RCIA, youth group, faith formation for grades 1–6, and outreach through Social Concerns, Funeral Dinners, Food Bank Collection, and the Homebound Ministry make it a place where parishioners of every age and stage can grow in faith and serve their neighbors.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM (after Mass)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (and 3:00–3:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: after Mass
- Saturday: 3:00–3:30 PM
History of Holy Family Parish
The parish traces its origin to Jesuit missionaries from Lewiston, Idaho, who began crossing the Snake River to offer Mass in private homes in Clarkston after establishing St. Stanislaus in 1867. By 1901 local Catholics had purchased lots at Chestnut and 11th Streets and, with volunteer labor, erected a two-story brick-veneer building completed in 1903 for $2,000 — its ground floor as a school and its second floor as a church, served by an Altar Society. The congregation grew quickly; in 1913 a larger wood-framed church seating 280 was planned, built for $5,000, and dedicated in 1915 — the same year Holy Family was formally established as a parish of the Diocese of Spokane. In 1911 Sacred Heart Church was built near the Asotin/Garfield County line for the Peola area and was incorporated into Holy Family in 1940. The contemporary round church, built 1962–1964, is the parish's present home.
- 1867 — Jesuit missionaries from Lewiston begin offering Mass in Clarkston homes
- 1901–1903 — Two-story brick-veneer building erected at Chestnut and 11th
- 1913–1915 — Larger wood-framed church built; parish established in the Diocese of Spokane
- 1940 — Sacred Heart (Peola) area incorporated into Holy Family Parish
- 1962 — Ground broken on the present contemporary church (July 1)
- 1963 — First Mass celebrated in the new church (October 20)
- 1964 — Altar consecrated (January 5)
The Church Building
The current Holy Family church was built 'in the round,' constructed of pre-cast concrete panels and pillars shipped from Spokane. Its interior diameter is 90 feet, the height from the center floor to the 'bubble' dome is 33 feet, and it seats 600. The stained glass windows are the work of the renowned French artist Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France. The total construction cost was $248,634.
- Architectural style: contemporary, circular ('built in the round')
- 90-foot interior diameter
- 33-foot dome height
- Seating capacity: 600
- Stained glass by Gabriel Loire (France)
- Construction cost: $248,634
Holy Family School
Founded by Father E.A. Jordan in 1921, Holy Family School began in the 1903 parish building with the arrival of the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Mankato, Minnesota, on August 26, 1921. The first three sisters — Sisters M. Carlotta, M. Apollinaire, and Candidate Sister Cecilia — opened school on September 6, 1921, with 44 pupils (rising to 70 within two months). The sisters taught there continuously until 1982. The present school building on the corner of 10th and Chestnut was completed in 1937 and enlarged in 1950 with a surplus structure moved from the old Farragut Naval Station in northern Idaho. Enrollment peaked at 217 students in 1973–1974. The school is fully accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association and continues to offer faith-based, academically excellent K–8 education, with tuition assistance available.
- Founded 1921 by Father E.A. Jordan
- Sisters M. Carlotta, M. Apollinaire, and Candidate Sister Cecilia — first SSND community
- Present building completed 1937; enlarged 1950 with a surplus Farragut Naval Station building
- Peak enrollment: 217 students (1973–1974)
- SSND served the school 1921–1982
- Fully accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with structured preparation programs for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Couples must arrange marriage at least four months in advance and complete an Engaged Encounter weekend.
- Baptism — registered parishioners; Baptismal Preparation class required
- Reconciliation — sacramental preparation for second grade and older
- Eucharist / First Communion — second grade and older
- Confirmation — preparation classes offered
- Marriage — minimum 4 months preparation; Engaged Encounter weekend; Asotin County marriage license
- Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders
Education & Faith Formation
Holy Family offers sacramental formation through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA), online Faith Formation for grades 1–6 via 'My Catholic Faith Delivered,' and active Jr. High and Sr. High youth groups that meet on Sundays during the school year. Adult enrichment includes a Ladies Monday Morning Prayer Group, a Men's Group, the OCIA journey, and a Lenten Journey program.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — September through Easter
- Faith Formation for grades 1–6 — online 'My Catholic Faith Delivered' ($25/student)
- Jr. High Youth Group (grades 7–8) and Sr. High Youth Group (grades 9–12)
- Ladies Monday Morning Prayer Group
- Men's Group
- Lenten Journey program
Safe Environment (Safe Net)
In compliance with Diocesan guidelines, Holy Family requires all volunteers serving children and vulnerable adults to complete the annual 'Volunteer for Ministry' course and to submit a background check, which must be renewed every three years. Background checks and annual Safe Environment renewals are mandatory for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry teachers, aides, chaperones, and Eucharistic Ministers to the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitals.
- Mandatory 'Volunteer for Ministry' course for all parish volunteers
- Background check required (renewed every 3 years)
- Annual online Safe Environment renewal
Lay Ministry & Volunteer Opportunities
Parishioners are deeply involved in the Sunday liturgy as Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, greeters, altar servers, and choir members. Beyond liturgy, parish committees include Social Concerns, Funeral Dinners, Coffee and Donuts, Homebound Ministry, Food Bank Collection, Holy Family School Foundation, and Church Grounds.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (weekend Masses, homebound, hospital, funeral)
- Readers (Lectors) at every Mass
- Ushers and Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Choir
- Social Concerns Committee
- Funeral Dinners
- Coffee and Donuts
- Homebound Ministry
- Food Bank Collection
- Holy Family School Foundation
- Church Grounds
Parish Staff
Holy Family Parish is led by Pastor Father Jeff Core, with Danielle Paris serving as Pastoral Assistant and Sheri Sargent in the parish office. To volunteer or contact the parish, call (509) 758-6102.
- Rev. Jeff Core — Pastor
- Danielle Paris — Pastoral Assistant
- Sheri Sargent — Office
Joining the Parish
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. Becoming a registered parishioner is simple — download the Parish Registration form from the parish website, complete it, and return it to the Parish Office or place it in the collection basket.
- Parish Registration form available on the Publications and Forms page
- Return completed form to the Parish Office or place in the collection basket
- Contact the parish office at (509) 758-6102 to volunteer
Contact & Location
Holy Family Catholic Church is located at 1102 Chestnut Street in Clarkston, Washington, across the Snake River from Lewiston, Idaho. The parish office can be reached at (509) 758-6102 or by email at [email protected].
- Address: 1102 Chestnut St, Clarkston, WA 99403-2527
- Phone: (509) 758-6102
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Spokane
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. E.A. Jordan1921–
Founded Holy Family School in 1921 and opened the 1903 building to the School Sisters of Notre Dame.