About St. Gabriel · Port Orchard, Washington
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle located at 1150 Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard, Washington. Founded as an independent parish on June 23, 1949, it grew out of a wartime Catholic community that had been gathering for Mass in the greater Bremerton/Port Orchard area since 1942 under the care of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Today St. Gabriel serves Catholics in Port Orchard and is part of Parish Family 52, formed in 2024 under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel plan, which links St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor under one pastoral team. The parish offers weekend and daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, faith formation for all ages, youth ministry, music and liturgical ministries, and ongoing outreach to the surrounding Kitsap Peninsula.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Mark A. Guzman
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Gabriel offers the full rhythm of Catholic life on the Kitsap Peninsula — Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Saturday confession, faith formation for every age, and an active youth ministry — all served by a stable team of priests and permanent deacons. As the founding parish of Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair and now part of the tri-campus Parish Family 52 with St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor, parishioners share in a Catholic community that has been growing and serving Port Orchard for more than 75 years. The parish is rooted in the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel vision and welcomes families returning to the Church, children, teens, adults, Spanish-speaking Catholics (served via Prince of Peace), and seniors at the Retsil Veterans' Home.
Mass times at St. Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm
- Saturday 4:30 pm
- or by appointment
Parish History
St. Gabriel Parish was officially established on June 23, 1949, after Catholic families had been gathering for Sunday Mass in Port Orchard since 1942 under the care of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton. The church building that stands today was constructed in 1957–1958, and the parish has continued to grow across decades through renovations, the addition of the bell tower (1983), an education wing, and a reordering of the sanctuary following Vatican II.
Founding Roots & Wartime Beginnings
Fr. James Buck of Our Lady Star of the Sea celebrated the first Port Orchard Sunday Masses in 1942, above the D & R Theatre (today the Dragonfly Cinema) on Bay Street and at the East Port Orchard Gymnasium. The Catholic Women's Club's first 'Parish Dinner' netted $350 — the seed of a building fund. In 1947 the 'Old Bunten Ranch' was purchased for $6,000, and a former Knights of Columbus hall across Mitchell Road served as the 'pro tempore' church before becoming the CCD Center and Social Hall.
The Campus Built Over Decades
Father John P. Donohue arrived in 1952 and led the parish through 1966. The current parochial building was constructed in 1957 and dedicated in spring 1958; the rectory, nicknamed 'The Port Orchard Hilton,' followed in 1963. Father Donald Piro oversaw construction of the Education Wing, dedicated in 1973. Father Patrick O'Neill (1976–1986) brought the 1983 bell tower and the major 1984 sanctuary renovation — moving the altar, removing communion railings, pews and kneelers, and adding the chapel and community room.
Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair
Under Father Dennis C. Sevilla, beginning July 1986, St. Gabriel responded to the pastoral needs of Catholics in Belfair. Construction of Prince of Peace Mission began on August 16, 1990, and the new mission church was dedicated and formally named on June 12, 1992. Prince of Peace remains a lasting legacy of Fr. Dennis's outreach-focused leadership and today also serves as the parish family's Spanish-language campus.
The Hoang Era (2010–2024)
Archbishop Brunett appointed Father Phuong V. Hoang as pastor in 2010. He formed the 'Long Rangers' advisory group to develop a long-range plan, implemented the liturgical changes that came with the new Roman Missal, expanded ministry at the Retsil Veterans' Home, supported greater child and youth involvement in the liturgy, and led the parish's 75th-anniversary Mass with the Archbishop and concelebrating past parish priests.
Parish Family 52 & Partners in the Gospel (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024 the Archdiocese of Seattle executed its Partners in the Gospel strategic plan, joining St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace Mission, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor into Parish Family 52. The unified campus is now led by Fr. Mark Guzman (Pastor) with Fr. Phil Raether as Parochial Vicar, and supported by permanent Deacons Gil Pesqueira, Pete Freeman and Mikhail Alnajjar.
Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep
Faith Formation at St. Gabriel is described by the parish as 'a continuing process of growth in your faith life and a deeper understanding of what your faith means to you, how do you live in the world of Jesus Christ?' Formation is open to all ages and stages — including adults returning to the practice of the faith — and supports sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The office is staffed by Michael Zosel (Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation) and Annie Kudrna (Faith Formation Administrative Assistant).
Youth Ministry
Michal (Michael) Lonas serves as Director of Youth Ministry for Parish Family 52, working across all campuses to accompany teens in their faith journey. His vocational background includes mission work with people experiencing homelessness in Seattle, ministry with migrant workers in the Skagit Valley, and youth ministry in Santa Cruz, California. He entered full communion with the Catholic Church in 2021.
Staff & Pastoral Team
St. Gabriel is served by a parish staff and pastor for Parish Family 52. The team includes clergy, deacons, faith formation staff, a music director, a director of liturgy/sacristan, a pastoral assistant for administration, a receptionist, and a maintenance steward.
Clergy
Pastoral leadership for Parish Family 52.
- Rev. Mark A. Guzman — Pastor (Parish Family 52)
- Rev. Philip H. Raether — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Gil Pesqueira
- Deacon Pete Freeman
- Deacon Mikhail Alnajjar
Parish Staff
Parish operations, formation, music, liturgy, and facilities staff at St. Gabriel.
- Michael Zosel — Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation (360-228-7004)
- Annie Kudrna — Faith Formation Administrative Assistant
- Michal (Michael) Lonas — Director of Youth Ministry (Parish Family 52)
- Patrick Sharkey — Music Director
- Mark McKibben — Director of Liturgy / Sacristan
- Frank Matanane — Maintenance Steward
- Laurie Samora — Pastoral Assistant for Administration
- Debra Page — Receptionist
Outreach & Community Life
St. Gabriel's outreach has long extended beyond its walls, beginning with the parish's mission to Port Orchard Catholics during World War II and continuing today through ministry at the Retsil Veterans' Home, the founding and ongoing support of Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair, and now partnership with St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor under Parish Family 52.
- Retsil Veterans' Home ministry (expanded under Fr. Phuong Hoang)
- Prince of Peace Mission, Belfair (established 1982; church dedicated June 12, 1992)
- Spanish-language ministry via Prince of Peace Mission
- St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Gig Harbor (Parish Family 52 partner since July 1, 2024)
Contact & Visit
Parish offices are located at 1150 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard, WA 98366. Office hours run Monday through Friday (Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00 am–4:00 pm; Tue, Thu 10:00 am–3:00 pm); the office is closed on weekends. The parish phone line is 360-876-2762 (fax 360-228-7008). The St. Gabriel campus and Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair are both part of the newly established Parish Family 52 and share a common website at pf52catholic.org.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Buck1942–
Of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton; first priest assigned to offer Sunday Mass in Port Orchard, celebrated above the D & R Theatre and at the East Port Orchard Gymnasium.
- Fr. Timothy Moynihan1949–
First official pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, established June 23, 1949.
- Fr. John P. Donohue1952–1966
Long-serving guiding pastor; oversaw construction and dedication of the current parochial building (1957–1958) and the rectory (1963).
- Fr. Donald Piro1971–1976
Led construction and dedication of the Parish Education Wing (1973); began Mass at Belfair.
- Fr. Patrick O'Neill1976–1986
Continued growth era; bell tower (1983), 1984 sanctuary renovation, establishment of Prince of Peace Mission (1982).
- Fr. Dennis C. Sevilla1986–
Led construction (begun 1990) and dedication (June 12, 1992) of Prince of Peace Mission in Belfair.
- Fr. Gary Weisenberger
Pastor between Sevilla and Hoang eras; contributed to continued growth and stability.
- Fr. Tony Haycock
Pastor preceding Fr. Phuong Hoang.
- Fr. Phuong V. Hoang2010–
Appointed by Archbishop Brunett; formed 'Long Rangers,' implemented new Roman Missal, expanded Retsil Veterans' Home ministry, celebrated parish 75th anniversary.
- Fr. Mark A. Guzman2024–
Current pastor of Parish Family 52 (St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace, St. Nicholas of Tolentino) under Partners in the Gospel.