About St. Edward · Shelton, Washington
St. Edward Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish serving Shelton and Mason County, Washington, in the Archdiocese of Seattle. A bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking community, it is currently grouped in Parish Family 41 with St. Michael Parish in Olympia under the Partners in the Gospel pastoral planning process announced in 2024. The parish traces its roots to 1884 (when Mass was first offered in Shelton), was formally organized in 1890, and worships today in a church building completed and consecrated by Archbishop Alex Brunett on July 12, 2009, replacing an earlier 1931 Norman Gothic brick church designed by architect Paul Thiry.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- St. Edward (Edward the Confessor)
- Rector
- Rev. John Patrick DePalma
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (South Sound Deanery; Parish Family 41 with St. Michael, Olympia)
Why belong here
St. Edward is a bilingual Catholic home for the Shelton and Mason County community, with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish each week. It offers a full sacramental life — daily weekday Mass, Saturday Vigil and two Sunday morning Masses, a Saturday Spanish-language reconciliation period, a Thursday Hispanic evening Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and ministry to the homebound and sick — alongside faith formation for children and adults, an active youth ministry, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a strong network of lay groups (Altar Society, Rosary Guild, Men's Group, sacristans, readers, extraordinary ministers, choir, and community dinners). Under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel parish families, St. Edward now shares resources with St. Michael in Olympia, giving parishioners a broader community while keeping a personal Shelton presence.
Mass times at St. Edward
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM (Confessions / Confesiones)
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (per Archdiocese of Seattle parish listing)
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Adoration / Adoración)
Parish History
St. Edward traces its roots to 1884, when visiting priests first offered Mass in Shelton homes and halls. The Catholic Church in Mason County was formally organized by Rev. Father McReavy in 1890, and the parish's first wood-frame church was built in 1892 on First and San Joaquin Streets for $585 on land donated by David Shelton. In 1931 Father Fabian Sexton built the brick church (Norman Gothic, architect Paul Thiry) that defined the parish for nearly 80 years; it was replaced by a new worship building consecrated July 12, 2009 by Archbishop Alexander Brunett.
- 1884 — first Masses offered in Shelton in private homes, Dan Keelty's Hotel, and Kneeland Hall
- 1890 — Catholic Church in Mason County organized by Rev. Father McReavy
- 1892 — first church built at First and San Joaquin Streets; first services May 20, 1892
- 1893 — Mason County placed under care of the Benedictine Fathers from St. Martin's Abbey
- 1903 — present site on West C Street purchased; original church moved to Third and Pine
- 1931 — Norman Gothic brick church designed by Paul Thiry; dedicated December 13, 1931
- 1935 — Father Mark Welchman becomes first resident priest; serves 30 years
- 1975 — first full-time Religious Education Director hired under Father Michael Feeney
- 1984 — new Parish Hall built under Father Kieran Cunningham
- 1993 — Father Dominic Hahn, OSB named pastor; new-church planning begins
- 2005 — Father Ron Belisle arrives; drives new-church project
- 2009 — new church consecrated July 12, 2009 by Archbishop Alexander Brunett
- 2024 — placed in Parish Family 41 with St. Michael, Olympia (Partners in the Gospel)
Clergy & Staff
St. Edward is currently led by Father John Patrick DePalma as pastor, serving Parish Family 41 alongside St. Michael, Olympia. He is assisted by Parochial Vicars Father Chad Hill and Father Maurice Mamba, and a lay staff handling faith formation, Hispanic ministry, youth ministry, music, operations, and maintenance.
- Rev. John Patrick DePalma — Pastor (360-754-4667)
- Rev. Chad Hill — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Maurice Mamba — Parochial Vicar
- Chris Peterson — Director of Operations (360-481-0408)
- Mike Linley — Bookkeeper (x403, [email protected])
- Mercedes McGlothlin — Receptionist (x400, [email protected])
- Mary Chapman — Faith Formation (x407, [email protected])
- Veronica Brambila — Hispanic Ministry (x406, [email protected])
- Jeisy Ordoñez Tomás — Youth Ministry (x408, [email protected])
- Mark Sodders — Choir Director (x405, [email protected])
- Ramiro Rocha — Maintenance (x409)
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical music is coordinated by Choir Director Mark Sodders, with weekly choir rehearsals and a Spanish-language Coro-Grupo Misioneros San Pedro that supports the Misa en Español. Liturgical roles — sacristans, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and homebound ministers — are filled by trained parish volunteers.
- Choir Director: Mark Sodders ([email protected])
- Coro-Grupo Misioneros San Pedro (Spanish-language choir / missionary group)
- Choir rehearsals scheduled weekly
- Liturgical ministries: Sacristans, Readers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Homebound Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children and adults is coordinated by Mary Chapman ([email protected]). Religious education classes for youth and Sacramental preparation are scheduled outside of Mass times. The parish also offers Alpha as an adult inquiry program and ongoing catechesis as part of its formation life.
- Mary Chapman — Faith Formation (x407)
- Children's religious education program
- Adult faith formation and Alpha inquiry series
- Baptism classes (Clases de Bautismo) on Saturdays
- Sacramental preparation coordinated through the parish office
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry at St. Edward is led by Jeisy Ordoñez Tomás, supporting middle-school and high-school youth in faith, fellowship, and service. Youth activities are scheduled around Mass and parish events.
- Jeisy Ordoñez Tomás — Youth Minister (x408, [email protected])
- Youth Masses and youth-focused gatherings
- Integration with parish-wide faith formation and sacramental prep
Hispanic Ministry
Veronica Brambila directs Hispanic Ministry at St. Edward, supporting the parish's Spanish-speaking community through weekly Sunday Misa en Español, Thursday evening Misa el Jueves, Spanish-language reconciliation, Clases de Bautismo, the Coro-Grupo Misioneros San Pedro, and the Grupo de Oración Yavé Jireh prayer group. In-person Spanish office help (Ayuda en Español) is offered Tuesday through Thursday afternoons.
- Veronica Brambila — Hispanic Ministry (x406, [email protected])
- Misa el Domingo — Sunday 1:00 PM
- Misa el Jueves — Thursday 7:00 PM
- Confesiones — Saturday 3:00–4:15 PM
- Clases de Bautismo — Saturdays
- Coro-Grupo Misioneros San Pedro (choir / missionary group)
- Grupo de Oración Yavé Jireh (prayer group)
- Ayuda en Español: Tue/Wed/Thu 2:30–4:00 PM
Outreach & Charity
St. Edward serves Mason County families in need through a local St. Vincent de Paul conference and regular community dinners. Counseling referrals are routed through Catholic Community Services. The parish also coordinates visits to the homebound and sick in coordination with the priests.
- St. Vincent de Paul — (360) 984-4355
- Community Dinners
- Homebound Ministry
- Visitation of the Sick — 360-754-4667
- Catholic Community Services counseling referral — (360) 586-0967
Parish Groups & Councils
An array of lay groups and councils sustain parish life at St. Edward, from liturgical service to fellowship and stewardship. The Parish Council was re-established in the parish's modern era, and groups such as the Altar Society, Rosary Guild, Finance Council, and Men's Group continue to support the mission and upkeep of the parish.
- Altar Society
- Finance Council
- Rosary Guild
- Parish Council
- Men's Group
- Coffee Hour
- Sacristans, Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers
Sacraments
St. Edward celebrates the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Baptisms are typically celebrated on the last two Saturdays and Sundays of the month, and families are asked to attend Baptism classes beforehand.
- Baptism — last two Saturdays and Sundays of the month; classes on Saturdays (English & Spanish)
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–4:15 PM
- Eucharist — daily and weekend Masses, plus homebound visits
- Confirmation — preparation through Faith Formation
- Matrimony — coordinated through the parish office (x200)
- Anointing of the Sick / Visitation of the Sick — 360-754-4667
Devotions & Special Masses
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, St. Edward hosts devotional and charismatic-style gatherings, including a weekly Misa de Sanación (Healing Mass) on Friday evenings, the Grupo de Oración Yavé Jireh prayer group, and occasional Marian and patron devotions such as the Misa Margarita Tomás.
- Misa de Sanación — Healing Mass on Friday evenings, 7:00 PM
- Grupo de Oración Yavé Jireh — prayer group
- Misa Margarita Tomás — devotional Mass
- Thursday Adoration (12:30 PM – 7:00 PM) with opportunity for confession
- Rosary Guild meetings
Partners in the Gospel & Parish Family 41
In February 2024 Archbishop Paul D. Etienne promulgated the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel parish families. St. Edward was placed in Parish Family 41 alongside St. Michael Parish in Olympia, sharing one pastor (Father John Patrick DePalma) and beginning a process of sharing staff, ministries, and outreach as the family grows toward becoming one canonical parish over about three years.
- Archdiocese of Seattle — Partners in the Gospel
- Parish Family 41: St. Edward (Shelton) + St. Michael (Olympia)
- Promulgated February 2, 2024 — Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
- Goal: shared resources, ministries, and outreach over ~3 years
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Edward by phone at (360) 426-6134, by fax at (360) 426-6231, or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to noon and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, with Spanish-language help available Tuesday through Thursday afternoons. The Archdiocese of Seattle's partner parish, St. Michael in Olympia, can be reached at (360) 754-4667.
- Address: 601 West C Street, Shelton, WA 98584
- Phone: (360) 426-6134
- Fax: (360) 426-6231
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:30–3:30 PM
- Ayuda en Español: Tue/Wed/Thu 2:30–4:00 PM
- Partner parish (St. Michael, Olympia): (360) 754-4667
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Father McReavy1890
Formally organized the Catholic Church in Mason County
- Rev. Father Wolfgangcirca 1901
Membership at 100; Mass offered once or twice a month
- Rev. Father Fabian Sextonpre-1931
Led construction of the 1931 Norman Gothic brick church, dedicated Dec. 13, 1931
- Rev. Father Mark Welchman1935–1965
First resident priest; served 30 years
- Rev. Father Gabriel Donohueafter Father Mark, d. 1973
Succeeded Father Mark as pastor
- Rev. Father Michael Feeneyafter 1973
Took over after Father Gabriel's death; oversaw renovations and hired first full-time Religious Education Director (1975); re-established Parish Council
- Rev. Father Kieran CunninghamJan 1, 1979 – ~1987
Built the new Parish Hall (1984)
- Rev. Father Edward RececoniJuly 1987 –
Burned the mortgage on the Parish Hall in 1989
- Rev. Father Dominic Hahn, OSBSep 1, 1993 –
Named by Abbot Neal Roth, OSB; launched planning for a new church
- Rev. Ronald (Ron) BelisleJuly 1, 2005 –
Drove the new-church project to completion; new church consecrated July 12, 2009
- Rev. John Patrick DePalmacurrent
Current pastor of Parish Family 41