About Resurrection · Zillah, Washington
Resurrection Parish is a bilingual Catholic parish serving the small agricultural community of Zillah in the lower Yakima Valley of Washington State. Established in 1963 as the 32nd parish of the Diocese of Yakima, it is named for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Dougherty. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, reflecting the make-up of the Yakima Valley's farm community, and reaches roughly 400 in worship on its busiest weekends. Under Pastor Father Jacob Davis, the parish continues a nearly 60-year tradition of being a place where East Valley Catholics can worship close to home.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (named from Acts of the Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Jacob Davis
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
Resurrection Parish offers a welcoming, bilingual Catholic home for families and individuals across the lower Yakima Valley. Daily and weekend Masses in both English and Spanish — with three Spanish Masses each weekend — make it a natural fit for the area's farm-working communities. A committed lay staff supports lifelong faith formation through RCIA, a two-year First Reconciliation and Communion program, a two-year Confirmation program for 8th graders and up, weekly email and Flocknote newsletters, livestreamed Masses for the homebound, and a Prayer Chain ministry. Joining Resurrection means becoming part of a parish that has shepherded Zillah-area Catholics since 1963 and continues to grow to meet their needs.
Mass times at Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (or upon request)
Adoration times
- Every Friday 8:30 am – 9:00 am (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- 1st Friday of the month 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Parish History
Resurrection Parish was established effective at noon on November 4, 1963, on the feast of St. Charles Borromeo, becoming the 32nd parish in the Diocese of Yakima. For years before that, East Valley Catholics had to drive many miles over highways, bridges, and winter-slick back roads to attend Sunday Mass. Bishop Joseph Dougherty named the parish after the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, calling its members to be witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus. The parish is attached to the Diocese of Yakima and named for the Resurrection of Jesus — its feast is Easter.
- Established November 4, 1963 as the 32nd parish in the Diocese of Yakima
- First Masses celebrated at the Orchardvale Grange building
- 1964: Mass moved to Christ Episcopal Church mission, offered by Rev. Harold Adams
- September 5, 1965: groundbreaking on Schooley Road property
- April 9, 1966 (Holy Saturday): first Mass on parish property in the new hall — just in time for Easter
- May 19, 1966: first Mass inside the completed church on Ascension Thursday
- October 7, 1966: Bishop Dougherty led dedication Mass
- March 1968: AIA Central Washington Chapter Certificate of Merit for unique design
Architecture & Buildings
Designed by Yakima architect Thomas Hargis Jr., the church and attached hall were built in 1965–1966 on a 40-acre parcel north of town on Schooley Road. The design was meant to complement the farming character of the lower Yakima Valley — a rustic yet modern and elegant building that won a 1968 AIA Certificate of Merit. The original church seated 400, with a hall that could be divided into four rooms for CCD classes and meetings. In September 2024, after nearly 60 years, the exterior was repaired and repainted in a lighter color to resist Yakima Valley sun damage.
- Architect: Thomas Hargis Jr. (Yakima)
- Church dimensions: 62' x 98' x 64'; design capacity 400
- Sacristy 22' x 15', workroom 10' x 16', hall 25' x 73' x 13'
- Original construction cost: $221,046
- 1968 AIA Certificate of Merit, Central Washington Chapter
- September 2024: exterior siding repaired and repainted in a lighter color
Parish Staff
The Resurrection Parish staff is small but deeply engaged, combining ordained and lay ministers to serve a bilingual community. Contact is centralized through the Parish Office.
- Rev. Jacob Davis — Pastor (509.314.6460)
- Mrs. Blanca Rodriguez — Parish Secretary (509.314.6460)
- Mr. John Griffin — Lay Pastoral Assistant ([email protected])
- Mrs. Selma Torres — Religious Education / 1st Communion Coordinator
- Mr. Salvador Cobar — Confirmation Prep Coordinator (509.840.4665; [email protected])
- Mrs. Patty Mengarelli — Prayer Chain Coordinator
Deceased Clergy Who Served Here
The parish history remembers with gratitude the deceased priests and deacons who served Resurrection Parish, including two future cardinals and archbishops who passed through in earlier years.
- Deacon Bernardino (Berney) Alvarado (1935–2024); ordained 1996
- Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Dougherty (1902–1970); ordained 1930
- Rev. Paul Flad (1916–1987); ordained 1952
- His Eminence Cardinal Francis George (1937–2015); ordained 1964
- Deacon William (Bill) Hudson (1941–2019); ordained 2003
- Rev. Donal Kennedy (1935–2002); ordained 1960
- Rev. Ronald Patnode (1935–2013); ordained 1961
- His Excellency Archbishop Cornelius Michael Power (1913–1997); ordained 1939
- Rev. Richard Queen (1919–1989); ordained 1945
- Rev. Emmett Sarsfield (1932–2010); ordained 1999
- Rev. Robert Shields (1931–2012); ordained 1964
- Rev. Paul Stecher (1923–1985); ordained 1948
- Most Reverend Bishop Nicolas Walsh (1916–1997); ordained 1942
- Rev. Arthur Waters (1936–1994); ordained 1960
- Rev. Edward Wawrzynski (1934–2008); ordained 1960
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education is described by the parish as a lifelong journey. Resurrection offers an RCIA process for adults entering the Church, a two-year First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion program for children, and a two-year Confirmation program for students in 8th grade and up. Classes for 2025–26 were scheduled to begin in mid-September, with mandatory parent meetings in September.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (contact Parish Office)
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: 2-year program, Coordinator: Mrs. Selma Torres
- Confirmation: 2-year program for 8th grade and up, Coordinator: Mr. Salvador Cobar (509.840.4665)
- Religious Education Program — catechists and assistants needed
- Volunteer requirements: practicing Catholic in good standing, 18+, background check, Safe Environment training
Parish Life, Outreach & Communication
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, Resurrection Parish keeps its people connected through a weekly bulletin, an email newsletter called RPZ News, Flocknote messages, an active Facebook page, a YouTube channel with archived Masses, and a Prayer Chain ministry. The parish also maintains a Parish Advisory Council and Parish Financial Councils aligned with the directives of the Diocese of Yakima.
- Weekly Bulletin: http://www.resurrectionparish.us/bulletin.pdf
- Weekly Newsletter (RPZ News): http://www.resurrectionparish.us/RPZ-Newsletter.pdf
- Flocknote messaging system
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resurrection.Zillah
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@resurrectionparishofzillah5252
- Livestreamed and archived Masses for the homebound
- Prayer Chain (Mrs. Patty Mengarelli)
- Resurrection Women's Club — host of the annual Harvest Dinner (canceled during COVID; tradition dates to Father Waters's pastorate)
- Parish Advisory Council and Parish Financial Councils
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation, including Baptism (through the RCIA process for adults), First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick. Confessions are scheduled on Saturday afternoons and available upon request.
- Baptism (RCIA for adults; preparation for children)
- First Reconciliation — 2-year preparation program
- First Holy Communion — 2-year preparation program
- Confirmation — 2-year preparation program for 8th grade and up
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — upon request
- Penance — Saturdays 3:30 pm or upon request
Visit & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:30 pm, and Father Davis and staff are reachable by phone, email, or in person. The church sits on a 40-acre parcel on Schooley Road north of downtown Zillah, and offers a family-friendly restroom added during a remodel blessed in Fall 2023.
- Address: 704 Schooley Road, Zillah, WA 98953
- Mailing: P.O. Box 567, Zillah, WA 98953-0567
- Phone: 509-314-6460
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
- Website: http://resurrectionparish.us/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Flad1963 – August 1965
First pastor; resided in Granger at St. Patrick's. Recalled to his home Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
- Rev. Edward WawrzynskiSeptember 1, 1965 – August 1968
Second pastor; oversaw groundbreaking (Sept 5, 1965), construction, and the first Mass on parish property (Holy Saturday, April 9, 1966). Commissioned as a US Air Force chaplain in August 1968.
- Rev. Arthur WatersSeptember 1968 – 1975
Seven-year pastor; began the annual autumn Harvest Dinner hosted by the Resurrection Women's Club.
- Monsignor Robert SilerPrior to October 2020
Administrator; transferred to St. Aloysius Parish in Toppenish effective October 1, 2020.
- Father Felix RodriguesPrior to October 2020
Parochial Vicar assigned in residence in Zillah by Bishop Joseph Tyson; transferred with Monsignor Siler to St. Aloysius in Toppenish effective October 1, 2020.
- Rev. Jacob Davis2020 – present
Transferred from St. Joseph Parish, Kennewick; named Pastor. Led livestreamed Masses during COVID, restroom remodel completed Fall 2023, added 1:00 pm Sunday Spanish Mass in April 2024, and oversaw exterior repainting in September 2024.