About St. Joseph · Seattle, Washington
St. Joseph Parish is a historic Roman Catholic community on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1907 and served by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since its origins as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish. The parish worships in a striking 1930 art deco church designed by Seattle architect A. H. Albertson and designated a Seattle Landmark in 1980. Today St. Joseph is home to roughly 1,550–1,800 registered families, supports a K–8 Jesuit parish school of more than 600 students, and operates around three dozen ministries — including a St. Vincent de Paul conference serving Capitol Hill neighbors in need since 1927. Welcoming all who come through its doors, the parish lives out its tagline: 'Ignited by the Eucharist to Love and Serve.'
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Mike Bayard, S.J. (Parish Priest, with Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J., and Deacon Steve Wodzanowski as Pastoral Coordinator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes everyone — register as a parishioner, affirm that choice annually through a pledge of prayer and support, and participate in the life of the parish. Active membership looks like joining one of about three dozen ministries spanning Liturgy & Worship, Parish Life, Faith Formation, and Faith & Justice, and showing up at seasonal community celebrations that begin each fall with the Parish Picnic. About a third of the parish's roughly 1,550 families volunteer their time and talent, forming a tightly knit community that runs the parish school of 600+ students and feeds neighbors through a St. Vincent de Paul conference dating to 1927.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — schedule with Fr. Mike ([email protected]) or Fr. Phil ([email protected])
- Tuesday afternoons/evenings 4:30 PM (per parish bulletin) before the 5:00 PM Mass
- After-hours priest availability: 206-327-7472
Adoration times
- Sunday evenings 5:00–5:30 PM — extended contemplative prayer with low lighting, candles, and gentle music preceding the 5:30 PM Contemplative Mass
Our Story: A Century on Capitol Hill
St. Joseph Parish grew out of a 1904 mission of Immaculate Conception Parish, becoming an independent parish when its first wood-frame church was dedicated on April 21, 1907, at 18th Avenue East and East Aloha Street. Early members were largely second-generation Irish American working-class families, and the surrounding area became known as 'Catholic Hill.' By the 1920s the parish was bursting at the seams; planning for a new church began in 1918, and the current art deco church was dedicated to Christ the King on October 26, 1930. In 2024, the parish entered a new chapter when the Archdiocese of Seattle's 'Partners in the Gospel' realignment placed St. Joseph under shared Jesuit pastoral leadership with nearby St. Therese Parish.
- 1904 — Established as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish (Jesuit-founded)
- 1907 — Independent parish; first wood-frame church dedicated April 21
- 1918 — Planning begins for a larger church
- 1930 — Art deco church by architect A. H. Albertson dedicated October 26 to Christ the King
- 1965 — Statues removed in the spirit of Vatican II; social-justice identity deepens
- 1980 — Building designated a Seattle Landmark
- 2007 — Centennial celebrated with special Mass
- 2024 — Enters Partners in the Gospel partnership with St. Therese Parish
Our Church Building
The present St. Joseph Church is a striking art deco structure at 732 18th Avenue East on Capitol Hill. Architect Abraham H. Albertson — who also designed the Seattle Tower (Northern Life Tower), the Montlake Bridge, the Downtown YMCA, and the University Women's Club — faced the challenge of building during the Great Depression by replacing a planned granite Gothic cathedral with a reinforced-concrete art deco church that paired modern materials with Romanesque and early Gothic motifs. The building was dedicated to Christ the King in 1930, designated a Seattle Landmark in 1980, and remains the architectural heart of the parish.
- Style: art deco with Romanesque and early Gothic detailing
- Architect: Abraham H. Albertson (1872–1964)
- Construction: reinforced concrete (cutting the original Gothic estimate in half)
- Dedicated: October 26, 1930, to Christ the King
- Landmark status: Seattle Landmark, 1980
Jesuit Identity & Partners in the Gospel
St. Joseph has been served by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since its founding as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish — the same Jesuit-Holy Names community that gave rise to Seattle University and Seattle Preparatory School. The parish continues to be staffed by Jesuit priests, including Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J. (a former Gonzaga student and 32nd President of the College of the Holy Cross). In 2024, the Archdiocese of Seattle's 'Partners in the Gospel' realignment placed St. Joseph together with St. Therese Parish under shared pastoral leadership, with parishioners prayerfully discerning what it will mean to 'become one parish.'
- Religious order: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
- Partners in the Gospel partner parish: St. Therese, Seattle (2024)
- Parish priests: Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J.
- Pastoral Coordinator: Deacon Steve Wodzanowski
The Contemplative Sunday Mass
St. Joseph's signature evening liturgy is the 5:30 PM Contemplative Mass, a response to God's call to 'simply be with Him.' From 5:00 to 5:30 PM the church is set with low lighting, candles, and gentle music for extended silent prayer, after which the Mass is celebrated. The parish describes it as 'a dwelling place of the Lord' where parishioners 'abide' and 'awaken their faith to enter into the presence of Him who awaits us.'
- Pre-Mass contemplative prayer: 5:00–5:30 PM
- Atmosphere: low lighting, candles, gentle music
- Note: No 5:30 PM Mass on Easter Sunday
Becoming a Parishioner: Welcome, Registration, Stewardship
St. Joseph outlines a three-step process for joining the community: Activation (register online or in person), Affirmation (an annual pledge of prayer and support), and Participation (engagement in the life and ministry of the parish). Newcomers are encouraged to register, explore volunteer opportunities in Liturgy & Worship, Parish Life, Faith Formation, and Faith & Justice, and attend the seasonal 'We Are St. Joseph' celebrations beginning each fall with the Parish Picnic.
- Step 1: Activation — register as a parishioner
- Step 2: Affirmation — annual pledge of prayer and support
- Step 3: Participation — join ministries and parish life
- Contact: [email protected]
- Deacon Steve Wodzanowski — Pastoral Coordinator (206) 531-2261
St. Joseph School (Jesuit Parish School)
St. Joseph School, located at 700 18th Avenue East on Capitol Hill, is one of the largest Catholic grade schools on the West Coast and Seattle's only Catholic, Jesuit parish school. Serving more than 600 students from infancy/early learning through 8th grade, the school is grounded in Catholic faith and Ignatian values — forming students who are open to growth, intellectually competent, loving, religious, and committed to doing justice. Patrick Fennessy serves as Head of School.
- Address: 700 18th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112
- Phone: (206) 329-3260
- Website: https://www.stjosephsea.org/
- Head of School: Patrick Fennessy
- Grades: early learning through 8th grade
- Tradition: Catholic, Jesuit / Ignatian
Faith Formation for Children, Youth, and Adults
The parish's Faith Formation programs minister to roughly 350 families. Children's Faith Formation (K–6) walks children through the sacraments of initiation, while the High School Youth Group gathers regularly for faith, service, and fellowship. Adults preparing to join the Catholic Church — or to complete their sacraments of initiation — are accompanied through the RCIA process, with an adapted track for children (RCIC) as well. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist is offered year-round.
- Director of Faith Formation: Theresa Lukasik ([email protected], 206-508-3079)
- Children's Faith Formation: Meredith Wright ([email protected], 206-895-1041)
- High School Youth Group (grades 9–12)
- RCIA for adults; RCIC for children
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist
St. Vincent de Paul — Person-to-Person Service Since 1927
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Joseph Parish has served the poor of Capitol Hill and greater Seattle since 1927. Volunteers make in-home visits to listen to neighbors in need and provide assistance with food, clothing, rent, bus fare, and utility bills. Generous parishioner donations — collected after Masses on the first Sunday of each month — fund the work, and 100% of donations go directly to neighbors served, as the conference has no overhead expenses. In recent years the parish welcomed St. Patrick's parishioners into its SVdP operation, expanding the geographic reach of its aid.
- Founded at St. Joseph: 1927
- Donation collection: first Sunday of each month after Masses
- 100% of donations go directly to neighbors served
- Helpline: 206-767-6449 (8 AM–3 PM, Mon–Fri)
- Contact: [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
Music is central to worship at St. Joseph, with Laura Ash serving as Director of Music. The parish offers livestreamed Masses on YouTube (Sunday 9 and 11 AM, plus Tuesday–Friday 7 AM), allowing parishioners across the street or around the world to join the liturgies. The 5:30 PM Sunday Contemplative Mass features a deliberately quieter, more meditative musical setting to complement extended silent prayer.
- Director of Music: Laura Ash ([email protected], 206-529-4974)
- Daily Mass livestreamed on YouTube
- Sunday 9 AM and 11 AM Masses livestreamed with ASL interpretation
- 5:30 PM Contemplative Mass with gentle, meditative music
Parish Staff & Leadership
Pastoral leadership at St. Joseph is shared between two Jesuit priests — Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J. — with Deacon Steve Wodzanowski as Pastoral Coordinator. The lay staff team includes directors of Operations, Music, Faith Formation, Children's Faith Formation, Communications & Scheduling, and Pastoral Ministries, along with a sacristan and office administrator. The Pastoral Council (Chair: Denise Muyco; Co-Chair: Wendy Nystrom) and Finance Council (Chair: Mike Rebagliati) provide consultative lay leadership.
- Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J. — Parish Priest ([email protected])
- Deacon Steve Wodzanowski — Pastoral Coordinator ([email protected], 206-531-2261)
- Erin Smith — Director of Operations
- Laura Ash — Director of Music
- Theresa Lukasik — Director of Faith Formation
- Meredith Wright — Children's Faith Formation
- Caprice Sauter — Communications & Scheduling
- Dan Tobin — Sacristan
Visiting & Getting Involved
St. Joseph's doors are open throughout the week for prayer and quiet visits. The Parish Center (between the church and school) provides elevator access from the 19th Avenue parking lot, and the parish office is open 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Anyone interested in joining the parish, volunteering, or learning more about sacraments is invited to email [email protected].
- Church open hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Saturday 12:00–6:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM–6:30 PM
- Parish office: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
- After-hours priest line: 206-327-7472
- Newcomer contact: [email protected]
- Volunteer areas: Liturgy & Worship, Parish Life, Faith Formation, Faith & Justice
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Christopher Weekly, S.J.through at least 2007 (100th anniversary)
Pastor who presided over the parish's centennial in 2007; later served the Oregon Province as Provincial Assistant for Spiritual and Volunteer Ministries.
- Rev. Chris Cartwright, S.J.2024
Listed as Pastor in mid-2024 parish bulletins; presided over the early phase of the Partners in the Gospel partnership with St. Therese.
- Rev. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Rev. Phil Boroughs, S.J.2024–present
Following the 2024 Archdiocese of Seattle 'Partners in the Gospel' realignment, St. Joseph and St. Therese parishes share Jesuit pastoral leadership, with Deacon Steve Wodzanowski as Pastoral Coordinator.