About Holy Rosary · Seattle, Washington
Holy Rosary Catholic Church is a West Seattle parish in the Archdiocese of Seattle, founded in 1909 as the first Catholic parish west of downtown Seattle. Today it serves approximately 950 households from its campus on SW Genesee Street in the Admiral District and is part of Parish Family 19 under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel strategic pastoral planning process. The parish is home to Holy Rosary School (preschool through 8th grade), a robust sacramental preparation and OCIA program, weekly confession and daily Mass, livestreamed liturgies, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Shoulder to Shoulder, and other ministries serving the West Seattle community.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Rev. Phuong V. Hoang
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
Holy Rosary offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in West Seattle: weekend Masses on Saturday evening and twice Sunday morning, a Friday morning weekday Mass, Tuesday evening Mass, daily Masses livestreamed on Vimeo and Facebook, monthly First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and weekly Saturday confession. Families can enroll children in Holy Rosary School (preschool through 8th grade, a STEM+ school with two classes per grade), in Sunday faith formation, sacramental prep for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist/Confirmation, and OCIA for adults becoming Catholic. The parish actively lives its mission to renew the community in union with Jesus Christ through spirituality, service, and fellowship — with ministries like St. Vincent de Paul, Shoulder to Shoulder financial assistance, a Bible Study, men's and women's spirituality groups, and a life-peace-and-justice outreach that serves the vulnerable, the voiceless, and those in need.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm–4:30 pm in the Church
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month, 9:30 am–5:00 pm
Our History
Holy Rosary's story began in 1909 when Bishop Edward J. O'Dea appointed Father Daniel A. Hanley to form the first Catholic parish in West Seattle, serving 35 founding families from a small wood-frame house overlooking Elliott Bay. The original English Gothic church was built in 1909 of Washington fir; in 1913 it was rolled on logs to a new home on California Avenue, then replaced by the present Tuscan Romanesque church in 1937 under the legendary Father James F. Lanigan (pastor 1924–1962). The parish marked its Centennial in 2009 and continues today as the spiritual home of about 950 households.
- Founded 1909 by Bishop Edward J. O'Dea with Fr. Daniel A. Hanley
- First church: 1909 wood-frame 'Church of Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary'
- 1913: church rolled on logs to California Ave & Hanford
- 1924: Father James F. Lanigan becomes pastor (serves 38 years)
- 1927–28: Rectory built (now Parish Office)
- June 6, 1937: cornerstone laid for present Tuscan Romanesque church
- 1947: Convent built (now Parish Center)
- May 16, 1986: groundbreaking for Lanigan Center
- 1997 fire → 8 months worshipping in gym
- Passion Sunday, May 31, 1998: Rededication Mass by Archbishop Brunett
- 2009: Centennial Homecoming Mass and Luncheon
Clergy & Staff
Holy Rosary is led by Pastor Rev. Phuong V. Hoang and Parochial Vicar Rev. Timothy J. Clark as part of Parish Family 19 under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel process. A broad team of lay pastoral associates, faith-formation staff, and operations personnel support the parish's ministries, school, and outreach.
- Rev. Phuong V. Hoang — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Timothy J. Clark — Parochial Vicar
- Michelle Scheving — Parish Family Director of Operations
- Deyette Swegle — Pastoral Asst for Children and Young Families
- Sr. Stella — Pastoral Asst for Children/Youth Faith Formation
- Jessica Kulwik — Adult Faith Formation contact
- Paul Dolejsi — Pastoral Asst for Liturgy & Music
- Kelley MacKenzie — Parish Family Pastoral Asst for Outreach
- Pam Stephen-Jordan — Parish Family Pastoral Asst for Pastoral Care
- Frances Vandenberg — Admin Asst / Bulletin & Calendaring
- Melissa Tuthill — Admin Assistant II, Safe Environment, Private Parties
- Mimi Robertson — Parish/School Bookkeeper
- John Overman — Parish Family Facilities Manager
- John Tuttle — Facilities Supervisor
- Sergio Reys — Custodian
- Anna Horton — Principal of Holy Rosary School
- Cyrus Yee — Parish Council Chair
Mass & Sacraments
The parish offers a full weekly Mass schedule with two Sunday Masses and a Saturday Vigil, plus daily Masses on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Daily Masses and the 10:30 am Sunday Mass are livestreamed on Vimeo and Facebook. Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon in the church (or by appointment), and Eucharistic Adoration is held monthly on First Friday.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:30 am and 10:30 am
- Tuesday: 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am
- Friday: 8:45 am
- Holy Days: contact parish
- Confession: Saturday 3:30–4:30 pm, or by appointment
- Adoration: First Friday 9:30 am–5:00 pm
- Livestream on Vimeo (vimeo.com/holyrosary) and Facebook (HolyRosaryWestSeattle)
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Holy Rosary offers faith formation at every age — children, youth, and adults — rooted in the conviction that 'our relationship with Jesus grows and changes throughout our lives.' Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 10:30 am Mass, alongside Sunday Faith Formation classes. Adults can join Bible Study, Women With Purpose, Women's Spirituality Group, or Men's Spirituality Group. Sacramental preparation is offered for Baptism (infant, child, and adult), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders, with referrals to the Vocations Office for the priesthood or diaconate.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (10:30 am Mass)
- Sunday Faith Formation (children)
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic (adults)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist prep (children)
- Confirmation prep (youth in high school & adults)
- Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders — contact parish office
- Adult programs: Bible Study, Women With Purpose, Men's & Women's Spirituality Groups
Holy Rosary School
Holy Rosary School has operated continuously since 1913 — one of the longest-running Catholic elementary schools in the Puget Sound region. Today it welcomes all families seeking a Catholic education, with preschool, elementary (K–4), and upper grades (5–8). The school is a STEM+ program with two classes per grade, supplemented by a strong Language Arts foundation, Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, Spanish, Religion, and Art. Junior High students benefit from team teaching, a three-level math track culminating in Geometry in 8th grade, and nearly a dozen electives including yearbook design, running, the arts, and woodshop.
- Preschool through 8th grade on one West Seattle campus
- Two classes per grade; STEM+ curriculum
- Founded 1913 under Tacoma Dominican sisters (Sister Mary Alberta, first principal)
- Principal: Anna Horton
- School office: 206-937-7255
- School website: holyrosaryws.org
- School address: 4142 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Outreach & Life, Peace and Justice
Holy Rosary lives out its mission to renew the parish community in union with Jesus Christ 'by evangelizing through spirituality, service, and fellowship.' Outreach ministries serve the vulnerable, the voiceless, and those in need in the West Seattle community. St. Vincent de Paul volunteers deliver groceries to those who hunger and provide direct aid; Shoulder to Shoulder offers confidential financial assistance to active parishioners; the parish partners with West Seattle Help Line and other community resources.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (groceries, home visits, aid to neighbors in need)
- Shoulder to Shoulder financial-assistance program (contact: [email protected])
- Life, Peace, and Justice ministry
- Partnerships with West Seattle Help Line and regional food banks
Getting Involved & Volunteer Opportunities
The parish regularly recruits liturgical ministers — Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, A/V Techs, and Hospitality Ministers — for Mass and other liturgies. The Saturday Mass Bus Ministry also seeks registered drivers to help parishioners attend weekend Mass.
- Lectors and EMHCs must be trained and commissioned to serve
- Hospitality Ministers — anyone can volunteer after meeting current safety criteria
- Saturday Mass Bus Ministry drivers (contact Diane Redenbaugh)
- Volunteer Opportunities page and MSP scheduling on the parish website
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm, and Thursday mornings from 8:30 am to 12 pm. The mailing address is 4139 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116, with the church building itself located just down the block at 4210 SW Genesee St in the Admiral District of West Seattle.
- Parish Office phone: 206-935-8353
- Parish Office fax: 206-935-4303
- Email: [email protected]
- Church: 4210 SW Genesee St, Seattle, WA 98116
- Parish Office / Mailing: 4139 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
- School: 4142 42nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 (206-937-7255)
- Office hours: M/Tu/W/F 8:30 am–12 pm & 1 pm–5 pm; Th 8:30 am–12 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Daniel A. Hanley1909–1910
First pastor; appointed by Bishop Edward J. O'Dea to found West Seattle's first Catholic parish.
- Michael J. O'Callaghan1910–1924
Moved the church (1913) and founded the parish school under the Tacoma Dominican sisters.
- James F. Lanigan1924–1962
Longest-serving pastor; built the Rectory (1927–28), present Tuscan Romanesque church (cornerstone 1937), and the Convent (1947). Rumored architect of the present church.
- William J. Power1962–1973
- James van Gogh1973–1981
- James E. Mallahan1981–1987
- David Brant1987–1992
- Jeffrey L. Sarkies1992–2006
- John Madigan2006–2015
- Matthew Oakland2015–c.2024
Served as pastor under the older parish configuration.
- Phuong V. Hoang2024–present
Current pastor under Partners in the Gospel, leading Parish Family 19 (Holy Rosary + Our Lady of Guadalupe).