About Holy Ghost · Valley, Washington
Holy Ghost is a small Roman Catholic mission church located at 3083 Hemlock Street in Valley, Stevens County, Washington. It is one of four worship sites served by St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Parish in nearby Chewelah, sharing a single pastor and parish staff with St. Joseph at Jump-Off Joe (also in Valley) and Sacred Heart in Springdale. According to GCatholic, the Holy Ghost community traces its origins to 1914, making it a long-standing part of Catholic life in the rural South Stevens County area. Today the parish family welcomes the people of Chewelah, Valley, and Springdale under the pastoral care of Fr. Vincent Gilmore, who has served as pastor since April 2022.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Fr. Vincent Gilmore
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
Holy Ghost is a small, warm rural parish where neighbors know each other by name, and where the community regularly gathers for fellowship — including a monthly potluck breakfast after the Sunday Mass. As part of the four-parish St. Mary of the Rosary family, members have access to weekly confession, Eucharistic adoration, a robust Wednesday 'Faith Night' faith-formation program for all ages, OCIA for adults entering the Church, youth ministry, and a sacramental-preparation track. Whether you live in Valley, Chewelah, or Springdale, you are welcomed into a community committed to 'forming intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, faithful to the Gospel and teaching of the Church.'
Mass times at Holy Ghost
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00–5:30 PM at St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah
- Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM at St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah
- By appointment with Fr. Vincent — contact the parish office (509-935-8028)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30–10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah (following 9:00 AM Mass)
History of Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Valley, Washington, was established in 1914 according to the GCatholic directory, making it one of the older Catholic missions in the South Stevens County region. Archival records of the Diocese of Spokane document a combined parish register for Holy Ghost, St. Joseph, and Sacred Heart covering the years 1907 to 1954 — evidence that these rural parishes were already ministering together more than a century ago. Today Holy Ghost is incorporated as a Washington nonprofit (UBI 602723469) and serves as one of four worship sites within the St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Parish cluster.
- Founded 1914 (per GCatholic)
- Combined parish register with St. Joseph and Sacred Heart, 1907–1954 (Diocese of Spokane)
- Incorporated as a Washington nonprofit corporation in 2007
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Ghost belongs to the Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County, a four-church family centered on St. Mary of the Rosary in Chewelah and including Holy Ghost (Valley), St. Joseph at Jump-Off Joe (Valley), and Sacred Heart (Springdale). The shared parish mission is: 'To welcome and accompany individuals and families, forming them into intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, faithful to the Gospel and teaching of the Church, who live and spread the power of the Eucharist and the joy of the Gospel in their homes, Church, and world.' A unified staff and shared councils serve all four sites.
- Cluster: St. Mary of the Rosary (Chewelah), Holy Ghost (Valley), Sacred Heart (Springdale), St. Joseph at Jump-Off Joe (Valley)
- Mailing address for the cluster: PO Box 26, Chewelah, WA 99109
Pastor & Parish Staff
The four-parish cluster is led by Fr. Vincent Gilmore, pastor since April 2022. Fr. Vincent was ordained in 1990 after formation at the Norbertine Abbey and Seminary in Southern California and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. He served 18+ years as a high school teacher and administrator and as a parochial vicar in Southern California, then spent six years as pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, WA before coming to Chewelah. He enjoys woodworking, gardening, beekeeping, model railroading, and the outdoors.
- Fr. Vincent Gilmore — Pastor ([email protected])
- Kellie Trudeau — Director of Parish Life
- Josh Thom — Director of Music Ministries
- Jolene McGee — Business Manager
- Jackie Fuller — Office Assistant
- Matt Cobb — Maintenance Custodian
Parish & Finance Councils
Lay leadership across the cluster is exercised through a Pastoral Council and a Finance Council whose members serve all four worship sites.
- Pastoral Council: Shirley Baker (Chair), Alexis Peters, Tony Hansen, Emily Garner, Jenn Dotts, Ron Christian
- Finance Council: Mary Schneiter (Chair), Dorothy Mohr, Don Mally
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for all ages takes place within the cluster's Wednesday 'Faith Night' program at St. Mary's in Chewelah. The evening begins with a potluck dinner at 6:00 PM, followed by formation classes from 6:30–7:30 PM for adults, K-5 children, sacramental-preparation candidates, and middle- and high-school youth. Sacramental Preparation is a two-year program beginning with Confirmation in Year 1 and First Communion in Year 2; children age 7 and older are eligible. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is available for older teens and adults seeking sacramental preparation or a deeper grounding in the faith. The parish notes that the program typically runs during the school year, pausing in summer and resuming in September.
- PreK-5 Religious Education
- Sacramental Preparation (two-year, ages 7+)
- Middle School Youth Group (EDGE / LifeTeen)
- High School Youth Group
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA for older teens and adults
Music Ministry
Music across the cluster is coordinated by Josh Thom, the Director of Music Ministries, supporting sung liturgy at St. Mary of the Rosary, Holy Ghost, Sacred Heart, and St. Joseph at Jump-Off Joe.
- Director of Music Ministries: Josh Thom
Parish Life & Fellowship
In addition to the Wednesday Faith Night potluck, Holy Ghost is known for its monthly potluck breakfast held after the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass — a chance for parishioners from Valley, Chewelah, and Springdale to share food and fellowship. The cluster uses Flocknote for parish-wide email and text announcements, and a parish Facebook page keeps the community connected.
- Monthly potluck breakfast after 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at Holy Ghost
- Flocknote email/text announcements
- Parish Facebook page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Victor Blazovich
Listed as registered agent for Holy Ghost Catholic Parish–Valley in Washington State corporate filings.
- Rev. Kenneth St. Hilaire
Listed as a pastor/officer of the parish in Washington State filings.
- Rev. Tom Connolly
Listed as a pastor/officer of the parish in Washington State filings.
- Rev. Vincent M. GilmoreApril 2022–present
Current pastor of St. Mary of the Rosary cluster, which includes Holy Ghost, St. Joseph, and Sacred Heart.