About St. Joseph · Lynden, Washington
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden, Washington is the historic Catholic parish of northern Whatcom County, partnered since 1926 with St. Peter Mission in nearby Deming. The parish traces its roots to 1893, when missionary priest Father J.B. Boulet walked the trails from Bellingham to celebrate Mass in pioneer homes. Today the parish sits in the Archdiocese of Seattle's Northern Deanery and, since 2024, belongs to the Whatcom Catholic parish family under Partners in the Gospel, sharing clergy with St. Peter, St. Joseph in Ferndale, and other area parishes. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with Masses, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for all ages, and outreach programs including a diocesan PREPARES diaper ministry serving over 50 local families.
- Established
- 1893 (first Mass in area); first resident pastor assigned 1926; present church dedicated September 7, 1962
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jeffrey H. Moore (Pastor of Whatcom Catholic parish family); immediate-past parish pastor: Rev. Francisco J. Cancino (2017–)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (Northern Deanery); member of Whatcom Catholic parish family since 2024
Why belong here
St. Joseph and its mission of St. Peter welcome families into a deeply rooted Catholic community that has served northern Whatcom County since 1893. The parish offers Mass and sacraments in both English and Spanish, faith formation for children and adults (RCIA in both languages), weekly Eucharistic Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and active outreach through its Social Action line and the PREPARES diaper and parenting program that currently supports more than 50 local families. Joining means becoming part of a multi-generational pioneer congregation with real pastoral care, a Hispanic ministry, and a clear mission to build community by hearing, living, and sharing the Gospel.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Joseph: Saturday 4:00 pm
- St. Joseph: Wednesday 5:00 pm
- St. Peter Mission (Deming): Sunday 8:00 am
- Anytime by appointment — call the parish office at 360-354-2334
Adoration times
- St. Joseph: Thursday 9:30 am – 10:30 am (following 9:00 am Mass)
- St. Joseph: First Friday of the month, 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, with Benediction at 5:30 pm
- St. Joseph: Every Third Saturday of the month, 8:00 pm (Saturday) through 10:00 am (Sunday) — overnight Vigil of Eucharistic Adoration
Parish Welcome and Identity
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden and its mission of St. Peter in Deming together form one parish community serving northeastern Whatcom County. The parish's stated mission is to 'build our community by hearing, living, and sharing the Gospel,' and it extends a sincere welcome to newcomers, who are invited to stop by the parish office to pick up a registration packet and learn more. The parish is bilingual in practice, with all key information published in English and Spanish, and a Spanish-speaking Location Manager and Hispanic Coordinator on staff.
- Welcome statement: 'We build our community by hearing, living, and sharing the Gospel.'
- New parishioner registration via the Archdiocese of Seattle online form
- In case of emergency / priest needed: 360-510-9786 (24-hour line)
Parish History
Catholic life in the Lynden area began in the early 1890s, when Father J.B. Boulet (later Monsignor) walked the trails from Bellingham to celebrate Mass in pioneer homes on a rotation that covered Lynden, Sumas, Columbia Valley and Clipper. The community grew into the Woodman Hall and then a small church at Depot and Grover Streets in 1910, until the present church was dedicated September 7, 1962. Father Benedict Schweizer, O.S.B., became the first resident pastor on December 9, 1926, and from that date the Mission of St. Peter in Columbia Valley was permanently attached to Lynden. St. Peter Mission itself traces back to Father Boulet's first Mass in Columbia Valley on August 23, 1893, to a group of thirteen people; its first log church burned in a 1914 forest fire, a second was built on the Sumas-Kendall Road by 1910, and the present St. Peter's Church on Mt. Baker Highway was dedicated April 27, 1975.
- 1890s – Itinerant missionary Father J.B. Boulet walks from Bellingham to serve Catholic families
- 1910 – Converted Woodman Hall becomes Lynden's first dedicated Catholic church at Depot and Grover Streets
- 1926 – Father Benedict Schweizer, O.S.B., becomes first resident pastor (December 9)
- 1962 – Present St. Joseph church dedicated (September 7)
- 1893 – First Mass in Columbia Valley by Father Boulet; first St. Peter log church built
- 1914 – St. Peter log church destroyed by forest fire
- 1972 – Clipper mission consolidates with St. Peter
- 1975 – Present St. Peter Mission church dedicated (April 27)
- 1994 – St. Anne's mission in Sumas disbanded
- 2024 – Parish placed into Whatcom Catholic parish family under Partners in the Gospel
Pastor Succession
The parish maintains a continuous, publicly published list of pastors going back to Father Boulet's missionary tenure in 1893. The list includes 24 named priests from Father Boulet through Father Francisco J. Cancino, who was assigned in 2017, alongside the 2024 transition to the Whatcom Catholic parish family led by Very Rev. Jeffrey H. Moore.
- Father J.B. Boulet (1893–1912)
- Father E.T. McCarthy (1912–1913)
- Father P.J. Ryan (1913–1918)
- Father James Wagner, O.M.I. (1918–1926)
- Father Benedict Schweizer, O.S.B. (1926–1936)
- Father Maurice Foley (1936–1944)
- Father Garret Galvin (1944–1949)
- Father Andrew Donohoe (1949–1952)
- Father Maximillian Murray (1952–1955)
- Father James Van Gogh (1955–1966)
- Father Kenneth Ogrodowski (1966–1970)
- Father Gerald Mayovsky (1970–1977)
- Father John (Jack) Jennings (1977–1980)
- Father Patrick Keaty (1980–1985)
- Father James O'Grady (1985–1986)
- Father Timothy McKenna (1986–1990)
- Father Gary Southerton (1990–1995)
- Father Woody McCallister (1995–2001)
- Father Don Perea (2001)
- Father Steve Sallis (2001–2002)
- Father Tim Sauer (2002)
- Father Emilio Gonzalez (2002–2014)
- Father Jose Alvarez (2014–2017)
- Father Francisco J. Cancino (2017–)
Clergy and Staff
Following the 2024 Partners in the Gospel reorganization, St. Joseph is served by a team of priests under Very Rev. Jeffrey H. Moore, Pastor of Whatcom Catholic, with three Parochial Vicars: Rev. Stephan Arockia Doss Thomas, H.G.N.; Rev. Tyler Y. Johnson (who also serves as Viking Catholic Chaplain); and Rev. Gerardo Rodriguez, C.M.F. A robust lay staff keeps the parish and its mission running, including a Location Manager, Faith Formation/Hispanic Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper, Contract Accountant, Regional Director of Finance, Regional Director of Facilities, and Regional Director of Operations.
- Very Rev. Jeffrey H. Moore — Pastor, Whatcom Catholic
- Rev. Stephan Arockia Doss Thomas, H.G.N. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Tyler Y. Johnson — Parochial Vicar and Viking Catholic Chaplain
- Rev. Gerardo Rodriguez, C.M.F. — Parochial Vicar
- Lorena Duarte — Location Manager (Se Habla Español)
- Marisol Esparza — Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation and Hispanic Coordinator (Se Habla Español)
- Olivia Phillips — Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper / Regional Director of Operations
- Elizabeth Ames — Contract Accountant / Regional Director of Finance
- Bert Bertschinger — Regional Director of Facilities
- Liliana Marshall — Administrative Assistant for Whatcom Priests
Faith Formation for Youth and Adults
Faith formation is a major part of parish life, averaging 30–40 students per sacramental class each year. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a two-year program beginning at age 7; Confirmation is open to students in grades 7–12 (or age 12+). Children over 12 who have not been baptized or received First Communion are served through Children's RCIA, generally offered in Spanish. Adult RCIA / RICA begins each September in both English and Spanish, with candidates received into full communion at the Easter Vigil. Weekly Sunday Mass attendance and family faith-formation classes are required for sacramental prep, in accordance with Canon Law.
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — 2-year program, age 7+
- Confirmation — grades 7–12 or age 12+
- Children's RCIA — for ages 12+ needing Baptism or Communion, usually in Spanish
- Adult RCIA / RICA — September start, English and Spanish, Easter Vigil reception
- Family Faith Formation classes — monthly or weekly, parent participation required
- Registration opens June 18 each year
Outreach and Social Action
Outreach is central to the parish's identity. The Social Action Line at St. Joseph (360-354-3848) helps community members with short-term emergency assistance — utilities, rent, clothing, household goods, laundry and transportation — typically with a 1–2 week turnaround and no fees. The PREPARES diaper and parenting program (sponsored through the Archdiocese of Seattle and supported by an Amazon Wishlist) currently serves more than 50 Lynden-area families with monthly diaper, wipe and basic-necessity giveaways, and offers a Diaper Giveaway drop-in event on the third Friday of each month from 2:00–4:00 pm.
- Social Action Line: 360-354-3848
- PREPARES Diaper Giveaway — third Friday of each month, 2:00–4:00 pm
- Amazon Wishlist supports over 50 local families
- Pro-Life Ministry — promotes the Church's pro-life mission through meetings, retreats and outreach
- Homebound Ministry — visits and brings Communion to parishioners at home
St. Peter Mission, Deming
St. Peter Mission in Deming is a mission church of St. Joseph, sharing clergy and the parish office. Its roots reach back to Father Boulet's first Mass in Columbia Valley on August 23, 1893, to thirteen pioneers; its first log church near the Canadian border burned in a 1914 forest fire. The current St. Peter's Mission Church on Mt. Baker Highway was dedicated April 27, 1975, after ground was broken June 23, 1974. St. Peter offers Sunday Mass at 8:30 am and Monday Mass at 9:00 am, with Reconciliation on Sunday at 8:00 am. St. Peter's Social Action group runs 'Thursday Afternoon with Our Friends' in Kendall, complementing the Foothills Food Bank with free clothing and household items.
- Address: 6210 Mt. Baker Hwy., Deming, WA 98244
- Sunday Mass 8:30 am; Monday Mass 9:00 am
- Reconciliation: Sunday 8:00 am
- St. Peter Social Action — 'Thursday Afternoon with Our Friends' (Kendall)
- Contact: Marie Valum
St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery and St. Joseph Cemetery, Clipper
The parish cares for two historic Catholic cemeteries. St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery is located at 9330 Heady Road, Sumas, WA 98295, and continues to be available for burials under the care of St. Joseph Church. The parish also maintains St. Joseph Cemetery at Clipper, which reflects the consolidation of the earlier Clipper mission into St. Peter's Mission in 1972. All cemetery records are kept at the St. Joseph parish office.
- St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery — 9330 Heady Road, Sumas, WA 98295
- St. Joseph Cemetery — Clipper
- Records held at the St. Joseph parish office
Volunteer Opportunities and Getting Involved
The parish welcomes volunteers for liturgical roles (Eucharistic Minister of Host or Cup, Greeter, Usher), catechetical work (Catechist or Assistant Catechist for the religious education program), Social Action and PREPARES outreach, Pro-Life Ministry, Homebound visits, and church cleaning teams. Time commitments range from a few hours a week (catechists teach ~3 hours/week) to once-a-month phone help for Social Action; PREPARES roles can be flexible around your schedule. Volunteers are asked to email the parish office to get involved.
- Eucharistic Minister (Host or Cup)
- Greeter / Usher
- Catechist or Assistant Catechist
- Social Action volunteer — 1 hour, once a month
- PREPARES — diaper giveaways and parenting mentorship, flexible hours
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Homebound Ministry visitor
- Church cleaning teams
Parish Office and Practical Information
The parish office is at 205 12th St., Lynden, WA 98264, and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–12:30); it is closed on Wednesdays. The mailing address is the same as the physical office. Parishioners are encouraged to register using the parish's online form on the Archdiocese of Seattle site, and new parishioners can stop by to pick up a paper registration packet as well.
- Office phone: 360-354-2334
- Social Action line: 360-354-3848
- Fax: 360-354-5889
- Office hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9 am–4 pm (closed Wed; lunch 12:00–12:30)
- Emergency priest line: 360-510-9786
- New parishioner registration online or at the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J.B. Boulet (later Monsignor)1893–1912
Itinerant missionary from Bellingham; walked the trails to Lynden, Sumas, Columbia Valley and Clipper
- Rev. E.T. McCarthy1912–1913
- Rev. P.J. Ryan1913–1918
- Rev. James Wagner, O.M.I.1918–1926
Formerly of Canada
- Rev. Benedict Schweizer, O.S.B.1926–1936
First resident pastor; moved into rectory December 9, 1926
- Rev. Maurice Foley1936–1944
- Rev. Garret Galvin1944–1949
- Rev. Andrew Donohoe1949–1952
- Rev. Maximillian Murray1952–1955
- Rev. James Van Gogh1955–1966
Oversaw construction of current church dedicated 1962
- Rev. Kenneth Ogrodowski1966–1970
- Rev. Gerald Mayovsky1970–1977
- Rev. John (Jack) Jennings1977–1980
- Rev. Patrick Keaty1980–1985
- Rev. James O'Grady1985–1986
- Rev. Timothy McKenna1986–1990
- Rev. Gary Southerton1990–1995
- Rev. Woody McCallister1995–2001
- Rev. Don Perea2001
- Rev. Steve Sallis2001–2002
- Rev. Tim Sauer2002
- Rev. Emilio Gonzalez2002–2014
- Rev. Jose Alvarez2014–2017
- Rev. Francisco J. Cancino2017–
Listed on parish welcome page; parish now part of Whatcom Catholic family under Fr. Moore