About St. Ann · Spokane, Washington
St. Ann Catholic Church is a historic parish serving Spokane's East Central neighborhood since 1902. A member of the Diocese of Spokane, it is known for its enduring commitment to social justice — most famously its 1985 declaration as a Sanctuary church for a Salvadoran family fleeing civil war violence — and for ongoing outreach to the poor through its decades-old Sunday Lunch Program, Matthew 25 Ministry, and Social Justice Ministry. Current pastor Rev. Patrick Baraza leads a diverse, multicultural congregation that includes a once-monthly Swahili Mass and a Swahili choir, embodying the parish's ubuntu spirit: 'I am because we are.'
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- St. Ann (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick Baraza
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
St. Ann is a small, multicultural parish in Spokane's East Central neighborhood that has lived out Catholic social teaching for more than a century — from its 1920s parochial school to its 1985 declaration as a Sanctuary church for a Salvadoran family, to today's free weekly Sunday Lunch, Matthew 25 prayer vigils for immigrants in detention, and an assisted-living partnership at Rompa House. With a monthly Swahili Mass and Swahili choir, a youth ministry, a Catholic Women's Association, and a Social Justice Ministry with subcommittees in Creation Care, Education, and Community Outreach, the parish is a place where 'all are welcome' — the Swahili ubuntu motto of its current pastor, Father Patrick Baraza.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Reconciliation is available by appointment — please call the parish office at (509) 535-3031 to schedule.
Adoration times
- Reservation Chapel open for private prayer on Saturdays 3:15–4:00 PM and Sundays 8:15–9:00 AM, or by appointment during office hours.
- Prayer for Creation in the Reservation Chapel on the 3rd Sunday of each month, 8:15–8:45 AM.
Our Story — A Short History of St. Ann Catholic Church
The parish was established in October 1902 by the Diocese of Seattle (then called Nesqually) to serve the immigrant, working-class families of Spokane's East End south of the river. Life-long parishioners such as Amelia Minelli, Rose Dimico, Adeline Mouton, and the Kelly family later remembered the early days of fundraising, building, and rebuilding under Father Pypers. The parish rebuilt after the devastating 1929 fire, declared itself a Sanctuary church in 1985, and today continues its long commitment to the poor of the East Central neighborhood. (History written in 2002 by Ann Colford for the St. Ann Centennial Celebration.)
- Founded October 1902 by the Diocese of Seattle/Nesqually
- First part-time pastor: Father L. W. Ferland (chaplain of Sacred Heart Hospital)
- Succeeded by Father J. Rebmann, S.J. (of Gonzaga University)
- First full-time resident pastor: Father/Monsignor Theophilius Pypers (from Belgium, 1906)
- Centennial celebrated in 2002
The 1929 Fire and the Mission-Style Church of 1930
On December 7, 1929, long-time pastor Father Pypers awoke in the early morning hours to find the wood-frame church at First and Lee ablaze. The next day, parishioners salvaged the altar and pews, carrying them into the school auditorium to serve as a temporary chapel. Within weeks more than $15,000 was pledged for a new church. Architect W. A. Wells designed a mission-style building honoring the early Catholic missionaries to the Pacific Northwest, with construction beginning in August 1930. The original altar was installed in the new building, the salvaged pews were rebuilt (and are still in use today), and the recast bell was hung in the new bell tower. Bishop White of Spokane dedicated the new church at a Solemn High Mass celebrated by Father Pypers in December 1930.
- Fire on December 7, 1929 destroyed the original 1904 wood-frame church
- Architect W. A. Wells designed the mission-style replacement
- Construction began August 1930; dedicated December 1930
- Salvaged altar, recast bell, and rebuilt pews (still in use)
The Sanctuary Movement at St. Ann's
In 1984 a group of St. Ann's parishioners began meeting in the chapel after Sunday Mass to discuss the Sanctuary movement and the violence in Central America. After a January 1985 national raid targeting Sanctuary workers, the parish voted to declare itself a Sanctuary church. Some parishioners who disagreed left, but those who remained turned the basement of the parish house into living quarters and signed a Sanctuary Covenant — a book that has remained in the church ever since. On the evening of the St. Patrick's Day party in 1985, members of the Orellana family arrived and took up residence as part of St. Ann's community.
- Parish voted to declare itself a Sanctuary church in late January 1985
- Parishioners signed a Sanctuary Covenant (the original book is still in the church)
- The Orellana family arrived on St. Patrick's Day 1985
Parish Staff and Office Hours
The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday, and staff can be reached by email at any time. Office phone: (509) 535-3031. Father Patrick Baraza is available by appointment (also reachable at [email protected]). Elizabeth handles office administration; Dianne coordinates facilities, grounds, and maintenance; Anne assists with facilities; Michel and Sonia coordinate music and liturgy.
- Pastor: Rev. Patrick Baraza ([email protected])
- Office: Elizabeth — Mon/Tue 10 AM–3 PM, Wed/Thu 10 AM–2 PM
- Facilities/Grounds/Maintenance: Dianne
- Music & Liturgy: Michel & Sonia
- Office phone: (509) 535-3031
Sunday Lunch Program
St. Ann has hosted a free Sunday Lunch in its parish hall every Sunday from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM for more than 40 years. Each week, a different church or civic group prepares and serves the meal, and St. Ann's own turn to serve is posted in the bulletin and on the parish calendar. The parish's youth ministry also takes a turn serving several times a year.
- Every Sunday, 1:00–2:30 PM in the St. Ann parish hall
- Free meal; rotated among area churches and civic groups
- St. Ann's turn posted in the bulletin and on the calendar
Social Justice Ministry
The Social Justice Ministry (SJM) meets every other month on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Its subcommittees include Creation Care, Education, Community Outreach, and Sunday Lunch. Anyone interested in learning about social justice at St. Ann or joining a subcommittee is welcome — contact Elizabeth at [email protected] for the Zoom link.
- Meets every other month on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 PM (Zoom)
- Subcommittees: Creation Care, Education, Community Outreach, Sunday Lunch
- Contact: [email protected]
Matthew 25 Ministry
The Matthew 25 Ministry meets in the parish house after Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month and stands in solidarity with refugees and immigrants held in detention. The ministry has hosted ecumenical prayer vigils at Feast World Kitchen and 1st Presbyterian Church and also collects diapers and supplies for families in need.
- Meets 2nd & 4th Sunday after Mass in the parish house
- Hosts periodic prayer vigils at Feast World Kitchen
- Collects diapers and supplies for families in need
Catholic Women's Association (CWA)
The Catholic Women's Association meets in the parish house at 11:00 AM on the 1st Sunday of each month. The CWA recently held a Commissioning Ceremony at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Meets 1st Sunday of each month at 11:00 AM in the parish house
- Commissioning Ceremony celebrated at 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
Youth Ministry
St. Ann's youth ministry — led by youth ministers Robbie and Hannah — welcomes middle school and high school students to participate in parish service projects, including serving the Sunday Lunch together with adult volunteers. Families can also sign up for parish event reminders via Remind by texting saintanncc to 81010.
- Youth ministers: Robbie and Hannah
- Students serve Sunday Lunch several times a year
- Event reminders: text saintanncc to 81010
Music and Liturgy — Swahili Choir and Orellana Choir
Music at St. Ann is coordinated by Michel and Sonia. The Swahili Choir rehearses at 11:00 AM on Sundays (except the 1st Sunday, when the 9:00 AM Mass is celebrated in Swahili). The Swahili choir also provides the music for the Saturday Mass. The Orellana Choir provides music on the last weekend of the month. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass includes a Youth Liturgy program throughout the school year.
- Music & Liturgy coordinators: Michel & Sonia
- Swahili Choir: 11:00 AM Sundays (except 1st Sunday) — also sings the Saturday Mass
- Orellana Choir: last weekend of the month
- Youth Liturgy: 9:00 AM Sunday Mass during the school year
Rompa House — Assisted Living on the Parish Campus
St. Ann's 99-year-old former Franciscan convent — Rompa House, named after influential pastor Father John Rompa — has been leased to Rompa, a Spokane-based independent assisted-living provider, to operate an assisted-living and memory-care center for adults. Located at 2116 E. First (just west of St. Ann's church), the facility can accommodate up to 16 residents and is expected to generate about $4,000 a month for the parish. Pastor Father Patrick Baraza said the new use 'aligns with St. Ann's mission of caring for those who are vulnerable.' Rompa will reimburse the parish for its portion of building improvements — including a new fire suppression system, energy-efficient windows, ADA-compliant bathrooms and hallways, air conditioning, and a secured outdoor space.
- Located at 2116 E. First Ave (west of the church)
- Named after Father John Rompa
- Up to 16 residents; memory-care and assisted-living services
- Partnership between St. Ann Catholic Parish and Rompa, Inc.
- Five-year lease; ADA upgrades funded jointly
Facilities and the ADA Front-Steps Project
The parish is currently working to make its front entrance ADA-compliant. The cracked front steps and uneven sidewalk — highlighted at Mass with caution tape by Dianne — are tripping hazards, and the project will include a new ramp allowing all parishioners and visitors to enter through the front doors. A concrete contractor and several generous donors are already on board; additional donations and fundraising help are welcome.
- Project led by Dianne (Facilities/Maintenance)
- Includes a new ADA-compliant ramp at the front entrance
- Contact Dianne at (509) 710-0638 or the parish office to help
Contact, Giving, and Communications
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through the parish website, weekly bulletin, social media, text reminders, and online giving. The main office line is (509) 535-3031; the parish email is [email protected]. Online donations are accepted through Tithe.ly, and mailed donations are welcome at 2120 E. 1st Ave., Spokane, WA 99202. Collection and budget reports are published on the WordPress blog.
- Website: https://stannsspokane.org/ (blog: https://stanncommunityblog.wordpress.com/)
- Online giving: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2044739
- Text reminders: text saintanncc to 81010
- Facebook: facebook.com/saintanncommunity; Instagram: @communityofstann
- Social Justice Ministry Facebook: facebook.com/St.AnnSocialJusticeMinistry
- Mailing address: 2120 E. 1st Ave., Spokane, WA 99202
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father L. W. Ferland1902–c.1904
Chaplain of Sacred Heart Hospital; first part-time pastor appointed by Bishop O'Dea.
- Father J. Rebmannc.1904–1906
Jesuit from Gonzaga University; succeeded Ferland as part-time pastor.
- Monsignor Theophilius Pypers1906–late 1960s
Missionary priest from Belgium; the parish's first full-time resident pastor, serving more than 50 years; built the rectory, led fundraising for the 1904 church and the 1925 parochial school, rebuilt the church after the 1929 fire, and was elevated to Monsignor in 1951.
- Father David Rosagelate 1960s–
Long-time assistant to Monsignor Pypers; became pastor after Pypers' death.
- Father Prince
Succeeded Father Rosage a few years later.
- Father John Rompa
Influential pastor in the parish's history; the parish's former convent building was named Rompa House in his honor.
- Rev. Patrick Barazapresent
Current pastor; also reachable through Gonzaga University email ([email protected]).