About St. Joseph · Vancouver, Washington
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish in Vancouver, Washington, in the Archdiocese of Seattle (Southern Deanery, Clark County). Established in 1952, it sits on a 12½-acre wooded site overlooking the Columbia River in east Vancouver and today shares pastoral leadership as part of 'Parish Family 45' alongside Our Lady of Lourdes and the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel initiative. The parish offers Sunday Masses in English and Spanish, a daily 8:30 AM Mass Monday–Thursday, weekly Confession, all-day Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school (Preschool–Grade 8), an active youth ministry (Paradigm), adult faith formation, and a variety of ministries and small-group studies. With more than 2,000 founding families' worth of history and a strong bilingual community, St. Joseph remains a vibrant center of Catholic life on the Washington side of the Portland metro area.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy W. Ilgen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (Southern Deanery, Clark County)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a bilingual Catholic community where Sunday Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, daily Mass is celebrated Monday–Thursday, and the Eucharist is adored every Tuesday from 9:15 AM until 7:00 PM. The parish grounds its life in the Eucharist and the sacraments, runs an active parish school (Preschool–Grade 8) staffed by the Sisters of Providence's legacy, supports young families through First Reconciliation/Communion preparation and a vibrant Paradigm youth ministry, and offers abundant adult formation—weekly Bible studies, book studies, a young-adult group, a men's Bible study, a women's study, a bereavement support group, and an annual Confirmation process. As part of Parish Family 45, parishioners at St. Joseph share pastoral care, faith formation, and outreach with two neighboring parishes under one pastor.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (during Eucharistic Adoration)
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM
- Or by appointment — call (360) 696-4407
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:15 AM – 7:00 PM (Sacrament of Reconciliation available 5:00–6:00 PM during adoration)
About St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vancouver WA
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a bilingual English/Spanish parish in east Vancouver, Washington, in the Archdiocese of Seattle's Southern Deanery (Clark County). It was established in 1952 to serve the post-WWII population boom east of St. James, and today it shares pastoral leadership with Our Lady of Lourdes and the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater as part of 'Parish Family 45.' The parish offers Sunday Masses in English (9 AM and 5 PM) and Spanish (11:30 AM), daily Mass Monday–Thursday at 8:30 AM, all-day Tuesday Adoration, weekly Confession, a parish school (Preschool–Grade 8), and a full slate of faith-formation, youth, marriage, and outreach ministries.
- Founded January 18, 1952 by Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly
- First pastor: Fr. Thomas J. Pitsch
- Current Pastor (Parish Family 45): Rev. Timothy W. Ilgen
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Kyle P. Rink and Rev. Kingsley Tebulo
- Part of Parish Family 45 since July 1, 2024 (Partners in the Gospel)
Parish History
The Catholic story of the Pacific Northwest begins in 1838 with the arrival of Fr. Francis Norbert Blanchet and Fr. Modeste Demers at Fort Vancouver. A church called St. James was built there in 1846, and in 1856 Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart and four Sisters of Providence arrived to open Washington's first Catholic school (1857) and first hospital (1858). By the early 1950s, Vancouver's population had surged eastward during WWII, and Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly proposed carving out a new parish from St. James. St. Joseph was officially established January 18, 1952. Volunteers cleared the wooded 12½-acre site, and the parish grew quickly: 574 families at founding (about 2,000 members). The first Mass in the new 758-seat church/auditorium was celebrated July 11, 1954; St. Joseph School opened September 8, 1954; and the entire church-convent-school complex was officially dedicated October 10, 1954.
- 1838 — Frs. Blanchet and Demers arrive at Fort Vancouver from eastern Canada
- 1846 — First Catholic church at Fort Vancouver, named St. James
- 1856 — Mother Joseph and Sisters of Providence arrive in Vancouver
- 1951 — Archbishop Connolly proposes St. Joseph Parish
- 1952 — Parish officially established Jan 18; 12½-acre site purchased for $56,000
- 1954 — First Mass in the new church (July 11); School opens Sept 8 with 302 students; official dedication Oct 10
- 2012 — 60th anniversary celebrated; Fr. Gary installed as pastor
- 2024 — Joins Parish Family 45 under Partners in the Gospel
Parish Staff & Clergy
Pastoral leadership is provided by Pastor Rev. Timothy W. Ilgen (ordained June 7, 2003 at St. James Cathedral), Parochial Vicars Rev. Kyle P. Rink and Rev. Kingsley Tebulo (Diocese of Mangochi, Malawi), and permanent deacons including Deacon Tom and Deacon Jose Gonzalez. A team of parish and Family 45 staff coordinate faith formation, youth ministry, marriage preparation, liturgy, music, communications, Hispanic ministry, facilities, and administration.
- Pastor — Rev. Timothy W. Ilgen (Family 45, since July 1, 2024)
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Kyle P. Rink
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Kingsley Tebulo (Diocese of Mangochi, Malawi)
- Permanent Deacons — Deacon Tom; Deacon Jose Gonzalez
- Director of Pastoral Ministries — Greg Stone
- Pastoral Assistant for Administration — Carrie Moschetti
- Coordinator of Marriage Preparation — Becky Castro-Hideo
- Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation — Tracy Joy
- PA for Adult Faith Formation — Debbie Adams ([email protected])
- Pastoral Assistant for Youth Ministry — Karissa Stone
- Bilingual Assistant for Liturgy & Youth — Cynthia Garcia
- Liturgy Coordinator — Pam Myles / Jennifer Graves
- Communications Coordinator — Jen Graves
- Choir Director — Tracy Joy
- Hispanic Music Ministry — Everardo Ciriano
- Pastoral Care to Sick and Homebound — Samantha Almanza
- Administrative Assistants — Kristy Dunlap, Carmen Lerma
- Program Coordinator — Shane McCormick
- Facilities — Karl Rohde; Accounting Assistant (per Archdiocese listing)
St. Joseph Catholic School (Preschool–Grade 8)
St. Joseph Catholic School is a ministry of the parish, partnering with families to develop each child's spiritual, academic, and social growth. The school carries on the tradition of the Sisters of Providence, who opened the original school in 1954 under Sr. Beatrice Ann. It enrolls Preschool through 8th grade (Cardinal Preschool serves 3- and 4-year-olds). Tuition assistance is available through a Variable Tuition program, and registered active parishioners of St. Joseph or neighboring Catholic parishes may qualify for an $1,800 Parish Participation Benefit.
- Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:15 AM–3:15 PM; Wed 8:15 AM–2:15 PM (doors open 8 AM)
- Cardinal Preschool (ages 3–4)
- Principal: Mary Yamoah; Vice-Principal: Sara Phillips
- Admissions Director: Eileen Sherrill — (360) 696-2586
- Mission: 'Faith, Academics, and Service'
- Variable Tuition and multi-student discounts available
- CYO Athletics, Extended Care, Scrip, Library programs
- Website: https://www.stjoevanschool.org/
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation at St. Joseph spans the whole parish: children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion, youth in the Paradigm middle-school and high-school groups, adults in weekly Bible studies and book studies, and catechumens/candidates journeying through the RCIA toward the Sacraments of Initiation. Adult Confirmation classes are offered each winter in both English and Spanish, with the Confirmation Mass celebrated in early May.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — contact Tracy Joy ([email protected], 360-823-2833)
- RCIA / Sacraments of Initiation (English & Spanish)
- Adult Confirmation — introduction early January; Confirmation Mass early May
- Spanish Confirmation classes — Mondays 6:30–8:00 PM (contact Becky Castro-Hideo)
- Bible Studies & Book Studies — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (St. JPII Library, St. Dominic Room, St. Teresa Room)
- Men's Bible Study 'Men of the Word' — first Saturday 7:00 AM, Marian Hall
- Women's Study Group — Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM, St. Teresa Room
- Young Adult Group (ages 18–35) — monthly events (contact Brian Stoltenberg)
- Bereavement Support Group — monthly
Youth Ministry — Paradigm
Paradigm Youth Ministry serves all youth of Parish Family 45 and welcomes friends. The Middle School group meets Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM and the High School group meets Sundays 6:30–8:00 PM, both in Marian Hall at St. Joseph. Registrations are accepted year-round. The program focuses on community, prayer, and service for teens in a safe environment.
- Middle School — Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM, Marian Hall
- High School — Sundays 6:30–8:00 PM, Marian Hall
- Open to all Parish Family 45 youth and their friends
- Year-round registration
Parish Family 45 & Partners in the Gospel
In 2024 the Archdiocese of Seattle grouped St. Joseph with Our Lady of Lourdes (Vancouver, WA 98663) and the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater under a single pastor as 'Parish Family 45.' This is part of Partners in the Gospel, a strategic pastoral-planning process intended to help parishes share clergy, staff, and resources. Rev. Timothy W. Ilgen was assigned as pastor effective July 1, 2024, joined by Parochial Vicars Rev. Kyle P. Rink and Rev. Kingsley Tebulo.
- Three parishes share one pastor: St. Joseph, Our Lady of Lourdes, Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater
- Two parish schools in the family (St. Joseph and Our Lady of Lourdes)
- Hub website: parishfamily45.org
- Fr. Mike Bayard, SJ, and Frances Farrell thanked at the April 7, 2024 announcement Mass for their service
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Joseph is led by Choir Director Tracy Joy for the English choir and by Everardo Ciriano for the Hispanic Music Ministry, supporting the parish's bilingual Mass schedule. The parish's Liturgy Coordinator (Pam Myles/Jennifer Graves) works alongside the Bilingual Assistant for Liturgy & Youth (Cynthia Garcia) to plan Sunday and weekday liturgies.
- English Choir — led by Tracy Joy
- Hispanic Music Ministry — led by Everardo Ciriano
- Liturgy Coordinators — Pam Myles / Jennifer Graves
- Bilingual Assistant for Liturgy & Youth — Cynthia Garcia
Sacraments & Devotions
Beyond Sunday and weekday Mass, St. Joseph centers its sacramental and devotional life around Tuesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (9:15 AM to 7:00 PM), with Reconciliation available 5:00–6:00 PM during adoration, and a second Thursday morning Confession slot at 7:30 AM. The parish offers preparation for First Reconciliation/Communion, Adult Confirmation (English & Spanish), Marriage preparation, Anointing of the Sick, and RCIA/Sacraments of Initiation.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 9:15 AM – 7:00 PM
- Confession: Tuesday 5:00–6:00 PM; Thursday 7:30–8:15 AM; or by appointment
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation
- Adult Confirmation (English & Spanish)
- Marriage Preparation (Becky Castro-Hideo)
- Anointing of the Sick and Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound (Samantha Almanza)
- RCIA / Sacraments of Initiation
Visit Us — Contact & Location
The church is located at 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver, WA 98661, with the parish office and mailing address at 6600 Highland Drive, Vancouver, WA 98661. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:30 PM (closed Dec 31 – Jan 2). The parish phone is (360) 696-4407 and the website is www.stjoevan.org.
- Church: 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver, WA 98661
- Parish Office / Mailing: 6600 Highland Drive, Vancouver, WA 98661
- Phone: (360) 696-4407
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
- Closed: Dec 31 – Jan 2
- Website: https://www.stjoevan.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Pitsch1952–(early pastorate)
First pastor, appointed by Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly; personally paced out the 12½-acre site and helped clear the land.
- Rev. Mike Bayard, SJ2023–2024
Served as Parish Priest; reassigned in July 2024 to St. Joseph and St. Therese parishes as parochial vicar under Partners in the Gospel.
- Fr. Gary (first name only noted in parish history)Installed 2012
Installed as pastor; presided over the parish's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2012.
- Rev. Timothy W. IlgenJuly 1, 2024 – present
Current Pastor of Parish Family 45; ordained June 7, 2003 at St. James Cathedral, Seattle; previously pastor of Sacred Heart, Lacey, WA.