About St. Joseph · White Salmon, Washington
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic parish serving White Salmon, Washington, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Founded in 1912 and part of the Diocese of Yakima, the parish has ministered to both English- and Spanish-speaking families for more than a century. Today it offers five weekend Masses, daily Mass Monday through Wednesday, religious education from kindergarten through eighth grade, sacramental preparation, and a vibrant community life under pastor Rev. Salomon Covarrubias Piña and Deacon Angel Oriz.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Salomón Covarrubias Piña
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers a rare combination in the Columbia River Gorge: a deeply rooted historic parish (founded 1912 and still worshipping in its original church building) that is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with five weekend Masses to fit any schedule. Families can enroll children in religious education from kindergarten through eighth grade, adults can prepare for the sacraments, and the community gathers around a modern two-story center with classrooms, a commercial kitchen, and a gathering hall. The parish is served by a resident pastor, a deacon, and a committed lay council — making it a welcoming home for both long-time Gorge residents and newcomers.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Parish History
St. Joseph Catholic Church traces its origins to 1907, when Franciscan Friars from Hood River, Oregon began celebrating Mass in the White Salmon area in loaned buildings. A wooded hillside lot was purchased from the Lauterbach family in 1908, and the present church was built by Father Francis Redman, O.F.M. in early 1912, dedicated on April 14, 1912. After decades as a mission served from Holy Trinity in Goldendale, it was raised to parish status in 1955 when the Diocese of Yakima was newly formed.
- Catholic presence in White Salmon begins 1907
- Land purchased July 1908 from the Lauterbach family
- Church built by Father Francis Redman, O.F.M., dedicated April 14, 1912 by Father Felix Verwilghen, Vicar General of Seattle Diocese
- Population of White Salmon in 1912: 800 people
- St. Joseph was a mission of Holy Trinity Parish, Goldendale, until 1955
Becoming a Parish (1951–1955)
On June 23, 1951, Pope Pius XII formed the new Diocese of Yakima. White Salmon fell within its boundaries, and on October 27, 1955, Bishop Joseph P. Dougherty officially raised St. Joseph Church from mission to parish status, with Father Henry Van Der Velden as the first resident priest.
- Diocese of Yakima created June 23, 1951
- Parish status granted October 27, 1955 by Bishop Joseph P. Dougherty
- First resident priest: Father Henry Van Der Velden (1955)
- First rectory purchased July 1955 for $4,500 from Mrs. Delia Wolf
Growth of the Physical Campus
Over the decades the parish has expanded its property significantly — a larger rectory in 1956, a hand-dug basement hall in 1957, a new church building in 1977, a youth center in the mid-2000s, and a two-story parish community center in 2006–2007 with five classrooms, an office, storage, bathrooms on both floors, a commercial kitchen, and a large gathering hall.
- 1956 — present rectory purchased for $10,000
- January 1957 — men of the parish blast and dig out church basement for a hall (led by Art Goree)
- 1977 — new church building constructed by Bob Palmer of St. Mary's Parish
- Mid-2000s — youth center building added under Father Felix Rodriguez
- 2006–2007 — two-story community center built; old Joseph House demolished for additional parking
Liturgical and Interior Renovations
Inside the church, the altar was turned to face the congregation in keeping with Vatican II, altar railings were removed in the 1970s, and Father Tom Dahlquist's 1990s renovations brought in stained-glass windows, antique chandeliers, a new bell, a remodeled confessional with stained glass, and a Grotto on the north side.
- 1970s — altar turned to face the congregation; altar railings removed (Vatican II)
- 1980s — new vinyl siding, newer pews, and a new altar (Father John O'Dea)
- 1990s — stained-glass windows, antique chandeliers, bell, confessional stained glass (Father Tom Dahlquist)
- 1999–2003 — Grotto begun by the Knights of Columbus, completed Spring 2003
Centennial Celebration (2012)
On April 15, 2012, the parish marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its church with a High Mass at 1 p.m., attended by the current Bishop of Yakima, past bishops, and past priests. Nearly 500 people filled the outdoor ceremony under mostly sunny skies; the Knights of Columbus formed the Honor Guard from parishes in White Salmon, Hood River, and The Dalles; and the choir sang in English, Spanish, Latin, and Greek. Bishop Tyson confirmed several young men and women at the Mass.
- April 15, 2012 — 100th anniversary High Mass
- Nearly 500 in attendance under mostly sunny skies
- Knights of Columbus Honor Guard from White Salmon, Hood River (St. Mary's) and The Dalles (St. Peter's)
- Bishop Tyson conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation
Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
The parish provides religious education for children from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as faith formation for adults interested in joining the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation pages on the parish website cover Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage requirements. Masses have resumed publicly in St. Joseph House under state of Washington safety provisions.
- Religious Education for K–8
- Adult faith formation (RCIA)
- Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage preparation
- Youth Ministry under dedicated coordinator
Parish Staff and Volunteers
St. Joseph is served by a resident pastor and deacon, supported by parish secretarial and finance staff, plus a Religious Education Coordinator. A Parish Council and Finance Committee include several lay members from the English- and Spanish-speaking communities.
- Pastor: Rev. Salomón Covarrubias Piña (assigned June 17, 2011)
- Deacon Angel Oriz
- Secretary: Nancy Cardenas
- Bookkeeper: Carrie Peterson
- Religious Education Coordinator: Heidi Shultz
- Parish Council members: Lalo Vargas, Connie Czuba, Jesus Orozco
- Finance Committee members: Rev. Covarrubias, Jim Horn, Bruce Mercer, Tino Torres, Rita McMullen, Jim Bodolay
Parish Property, Ministry, and Outreach
The parish campus includes the original 1912 church building, a church basement hall, a newer church building from 1977, the present rectory, and a two-story community center used for retreats, larger Masses, celebrations, and CCD classes. Active ministries include the Knights of Columbus, the parish choir, parish and finance councils, youth ministry, Catholic Advocacy Network representation, and a food bank outreach (referenced in the parish bulletin as "wagap").
- Two-story community center (2006–2007) with five classrooms, commercial kitchen, gathering hall
- Knights of Columbus
- Parish Choir
- Parish Council and Finance Committee
- Youth Ministry
- Catholic Advocacy Network contact: Cathy Titchenal
- Food bank / wagap outreach
Contact, Office Hours, and Location
The parish office is at 240 NW Washington St., White Salmon, WA 98672-0417 (mailing P.O. Box 417). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The parish can be reached by phone at 509-493-2828 or by email at [email protected]. The pastor's email is [email protected].
- Address: 240 NW Washington St., White Salmon, WA 98672-0417
- Phone: 509-493-2828
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Pastor's email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Franciscan Friars from Hood River, Oregon1907–1912
First Catholic presence; celebrated Mass in loaned dwellings with makeshift altar.
- Father Francis Redman, O.F.M.early 1912
Built the present church structure.
- Father Tom Edwards III1923–1934
Served with Holy Trinity Parish in Goldendale; traveled in his famous "Wreck of the Hesperus" Model T.
- Father James Hamiltonordained 1936
Served the mission.
- Father Martin Skehanordained 1944
Served the mission.
- Father Henry Van Der Velden1955–1956
First resident priest, after the parish was raised from mission to parish status in 1955.
- Father Chester Wrzaszczak1956–
Bought the present rectory for $10,000; oversaw excavation of the church basement in 1957.
- Father Ken Kronmid-1980s
Made additional improvements to the sacristy and property.
- Father John O'Dea1983–
Arrived in 1983; oversaw new vinyl siding, new pews, new altar and Rectory office.
- Father Tom Dahlquist1990s–2002
Renovated church interior (stained glass, chandeliers, bell, confessional, Grotto); retired 2002, died 2005.
- Father Felix Rodriguez2002–2008 (Administrator 2002, Pastor 2005)
Added second Spanish Saturday Mass; built youth center building.
- Father Alejandro Trejo2008–2011
Finished community center with covered entrance; expanded schedule to five weekend Masses.
- Rev. Salomón Covarrubias Piña2011–present
Assigned June 17, 2011; current pastor.