About St. Anthony · Renton, Washington
St. Anthony Catholic Church is a historic, multicultural parish serving downtown Renton, Washington from its red-brick church at 416 South 4th Street. A mission of the Archdiocese since 1901 and a parish since 1905, it has grown into one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle, with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, a thriving school, and ministries reaching Hispanic, Vietnamese, Filipino, and other communities. Worship is supported by an active music program, faith formation for children and adults, a youth ministry, and broad outreach to those in need — including a partnership with the City of Renton on severe-weather emergency shelter.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Anthony (of Padua)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Bryan E. Dolejsi
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Anthony welcomes Renton-area Catholics into a single parish life where English and Spanish Masses, a Vietnamese ministry, and a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program live side by side. The parish grounds include the parish church, an active Catholic school serving roughly 400 students from nearly 20 zip codes, free parking, and ministries that reach beyond the walls — including a severe-weather emergency shelter operated with the City of Renton, St. Vincent de Paul home visits, an annual Giving Tree for 40–50 families at Christmas, and Lenten Soup Suppers. With five Sunday Masses, weekday Masses, weekly confession, Eucharistic adoration, and a vibrant youth and young-adult ministry, newcomers find both a regular rhythm of worship and many easy ways to get involved.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (during Evening Prayer / Novena / Adoration)
- First Friday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Evening Prayer, Perpetual Help Novena, Adoration and Rosary)
- First Friday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Adoration)
History of St. Anthony Parish
Catholic life in Renton began in 1901, when an elderly Fr. Winters came from Newcastle to offer Mass in settlers' homes and baptized the first Catholic of record — Henry Moses, an Indian — at the home of John Sedlacek. After his death, Fr. Patrick Ryan continued occasional visits until Fr. Victor, a retired priest living in Kennydale, began offering Mass regularly in 1905. That December 3rd, Renton's Catholics met in Library Hall to organize a parish, elected a board of trustees led by John J. Monaghan, and soon raised money through Renton's first parish bazaar. With Bishop O'Dea's approval, four men broke ground for a wood-frame church in 1906, and the parish was formally established with its present boundaries carved out of a much larger mission territory over the following decades. The 1954 red-brick church we see today — seating over 800 and built for $300,000 — was dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Connolly on May 9, 1954, the realization of years of work by Fr. Thomas Lane. St. Anthony celebrated its 75th Jubilee in 1980, has spawned a half-dozen daughter parishes, and under Fr. Gary Zender (1999–2014) became one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in the Archdiocese — prayers were recited in 20 languages at a 2005 living rosary.
- Mission since 1901; parish since 1905; first bazaar cleared $4,000 to fund the first church
- Original 1906 wood-frame church (300 seats) demolished in 1953
- Current red-brick church dedicated May 9, 1954 by Archbishop Thomas Connolly
- 75th Jubilee celebrated in May 1980
- 20 different languages prayed at a 2005 living rosary under Fr. Gary Zender
Parish Leadership & Pastoral Team
St. Anthony is currently pastored by Very Rev. Bryan E. Dolejsi, who leads Parish Family 23 of the Archdiocese of Seattle — a partnership of St. Anthony and St. Stephen the Martyr, Renton, formed in 2024 under the Partners in the Gospel pastoral planning process. He is assisted by Parochial Vicars Rev. Marlo F. Abad and Rev. Gilberto Mora Tapia, Deacons Ted Rodriguez and LaMar Reed, and Sr. Maria Phuong Dinh, L.H.C., who serves the Vietnamese Ministry. Christine Tapec is the Parish Administrator. The broader pastoral team oversees faith formation for children and adults, Hispanic ministry, youth and young adults, music, communications and outreach, the parish school, and operations.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Bryan E. Dolejsi ([email protected], ext. 6193)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Marlo F. Abad
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Gilberto Mora Tapia
- Deacons: Ted Rodriguez, LaMar Reed
- Parish Administrator: Christine Tapec
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Anthony spans every age and language. Children and youth prepare for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, while families with young children may enroll in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium coordinated by Lynne Shioyama. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered in English for adults and in Spanish through the Hispanic Ministry, and there is a separate RCIA track for children led by Micie DelosReyes. Julianna Castro coordinates Adult Evangelization, which includes sessions for Returning Catholics. The parish also runs Essentially Catholic, Living Your Faith groups, Sonshine Days, and other formation events through the year.
- Children's Faith Formation & RCIA — Micie DelosReyes ([email protected])
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Lynne Shioyama ([email protected])
- Hispanic Ministry Faith Formation & RCIA — Dulce Casanova
- Adult Evangelization / Returning Catholics — Julianna Castro ([email protected])
- Adult small groups: Essentially Catholic, Living Your Faith, Sonshine Days
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Anthony's youth and young-adult ministry is led by Dulce Casanova and includes parish-based gatherings, retreats, and service trips. Two signature events are the AGAPE Service Project (July 19–23, 2026, in Whatcom County) and the ASCEND Youth Leadership Retreat. The parish also supports an ASAPP (school parent organization), Sonshine Days, and First Communion and Confirmation preparation that ties directly into parish life.
- Pastoral Assistant for Youth and Young Adults: Dulce Casanova ([email protected])
- AGAPE Service Project — service trip July 19–23, 2026
- ASCEND Youth Leadership Retreat
- Sonshine Days
- Confirmation preparation
Hispanic, Vietnamese & Multicultural Ministries
St. Anthony has long been one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in the Archdiocese. Spanish-language Masses are celebrated every Sunday at 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM and every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, and the Hispanic Ministry offers faith formation, RCIA, prayer groups, and the Barrio Fiesta fundraiser. Sr. Maria Phuong Dinh, L.H.C., coordinates the Vietnamese Ministry, and a Filipino Commission joins the Hispanic Commission as consultative bodies. The parish also supports Small Christian Communities, a Legion of Mary Praesidium, a St. Anthony Prayer Group, a Hispanic Prayer Group, and a Charismatic Renewal group — all part of the multicultural fabric Fr. Gary Zender nurtured in his 15 years as pastor.
- Spanish Masses Sun 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM; Wed 7:00 PM
- Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Mary Soto
- Faith Formation & RCIA in Spanish: Dulce Casanova
- Vietnamese Ministry: Sr. Maria Phuong Dinh, L.H.C. ([email protected], ext. 6242)
- Filipino Commission; Hispanic Commission; Small Christian Communities; Legion of Mary; Hispanic Prayer Group
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Worship at St. Anthony is supported by a full team of liturgical ministers and a robust music program. Linda Halvorson serves as Music Coordinator and oversees choirs and cantors. Lay faithful serve as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of Hospitality, Altar Servers, and Cantors, and all are trained through the parish. The annual event-prioritization document lists choir practices among the parish's Level-A ministries — those initiated and supported by the pastor for the benefit of the whole parish.
- Music Coordinator: Linda Halvorson ([email protected], ext. 6207)
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of Hospitality, Altar Servers, Cantors
- Choir and cantor training offered regularly
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is central to parish identity. Mona Fonseca serves as Pastoral Assistant for Communication and Outreach and is the point of contact for many of these ministries. In partnership with the City of Renton, the parish operates a severe-weather emergency shelter on its campus with up to 40 beds. The Giving Tree program provides Christmas for 40–50 families each year, and the parish supports St. Vincent de Paul home visits (always made in pairs, in the tradition of the disciples), ARISE for the homeless, and Lenten Soup Suppers — weekly all-vegetarian community meals hosted for six weeks each Lent. A Homebound Ministry brings Anointing, Confession, Holy Communion, and Last Rites to those unable to attend Mass.
- Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (up to 40 beds) with the City of Renton
- Giving Tree (40–50 families at Christmas)
- St. Vincent de Paul home visits; ARISE
- Lenten Soup Suppers (weekly, all-vegetarian)
- Homebound Ministry (Anointing, Confession, Communion, Last Rites)
St. Anthony School
Founded in 1927 by the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, St. Anthony School is a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school on the parish campus at 336 Shattuck Ave. S. Its mission is to 'educate children to be joyous, loving, and Christ-centered people capable of serving others and bettering the world,' and the 2025–26 school theme is 'Building the Kingdom of God.' Today the school serves nearly 400 students from almost 20 zip codes across Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, Newcastle, Kent, Auburn, Tukwila, Des Moines, Federal Way, SeaTac, Maple Valley, and Normandy Park, and it approaches its centennial with a newly renovated campus, Open House on January 25, 2026, and an application process detailed at sasr.org.
- Founded 1927 by the Sisters of Charity of Halifax; ~400 students; Pre-K–8
- Principal: Daniel P. Mullen
- Mission: 'To educate children to be joyous, loving, and Christ-centered people capable of serving others and bettering the world.'
- Phone 425-255-0059; website sasr.org
- Open House January 25, 2026
Sacraments
St. Anthony prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptisms follow parish preparation classes; First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in grade-school years; teens prepare for Confirmation through the youth ministry; adult newcomers journey through RCIA (English and Spanish). Marriages are coordinated through Kely Euan, Wedding Coordinator. The Anointing of the Sick is offered at the 8:00 AM First Friday Mass and on request for the homebound, who may also receive Confession, Holy Communion, and Last Rites from priests, deacons, or homebound ministers.
- Baptism (preparation required)
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Marriage Preparation — Wedding Coordinator: Kely Euan ([email protected])
- RCIA in English and Spanish; RCIA for children
- Anointing of the Sick, Communion, and Last Rites for the homebound
Parish Life & Groups
Beyond Mass and formation, St. Anthony sustains an active web of parish groups, commissions, and apostolates. Pastoral and Finance Councils, plus commissions for Hispanic and Filipino ministry, Liturgy, Faith Formation, Stewardship, and School, give lay faithful a structured voice. Long-standing groups include the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scout Troop 448, Cub Scout Pack 448, the SERRA Club (vocations), the Association for Catholic Childhood, Marriage Encounter Worldwide, the Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and an Alcoholics Anonymous Retreat Day. Each year brings fundraisers such as ASSP's spaghetti dinner, Barrio Fiesta, and a parish rummage sale.
- Knights of Columbus; Boy Scout Troop 448; Cub Scout Pack 448
- SERRA Club; Association for Catholic Childhood
- Marriage Encounter Worldwide; Charismatic Renewal; AA Retreat Day
- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and commissions (Hispanic, Filipino, Liturgical, Faith Formation, Stewardship, School)
- Annual fundraisers: ASSP spaghetti dinner, Barrio Fiesta, rummage sale
Communications & Media
The parish communicates through a weekly bulletin, narthex bulletin boards, the parish website (st-anthony.cc), Facebook, and Instagram. Mona Fonseca serves as Bulletin Editor and Social Media Specialist and as the point of contact for parish event promotion. Submissions are reviewed for layout and wording, with priority given to parish events and a maximum three-week promotion window.
- Bulletin Editor & Social Media Specialist: Mona Fonseca ([email protected])
- Channels: Bulletin, narthex boards, parish website, Facebook, Instagram
Visit, Park & Contact
St. Anthony is easy to find in downtown Renton. The church is a red-brick building at the corner of South 4th Street and Morris Avenue South, with free parking in the school playground, the lot by the Rectory, the lot by the Parish Hall, and on surrounding streets. The Parish Ministry Center (offices) is the second building west of the church on South 4th, with the Rectory immediately adjacent to the church. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Driving directions are provided from I-5 (north and south), I-405, and Highway 167.
- Church: 416 S 4th St., Renton, WA 98057
- Parish Ministry Center / Mailing: 314 S 4th St., Renton, WA 98057
- Free parking in four on-campus lots and on surrounding streets
- Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)
- Phone 425-255-3132 · Fax 425-271-4729 · [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bryan Dolejsi2024–present (as pastor of Parish Family 23)
Served earlier as Parish Priest under Partners in the Gospel reconfiguration; leads Parish Family 23 with St. Stephen the Martyr.
- Fr. Jack Shrum2015–
Came with six years of prior pastoral experience and fluency in Spanish; growth of St. Anthony under his leadership is described as 'historical chapters yet to be written.'
- Fr. Armando PerezJuly 2014 – December 2014
Brief tenure before reassignment.
- Fr. Gary Zender1999–2014
Fluent in Spanish; fostered Hispanic, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities, making St. Anthony one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in the archdiocese; launched the long-range construction plan; also served as Archdiocesan Vicar for Charities and Vicar for Clergy.
- Fr. Thomas Lane1949–
Soft-spoken Irish priest who led the major building program culminating in the 1954 church.
- Fr. Carey
Paid down parish debt and pursued the founding of the parish grade school (dedicated 1927).