About St. Mary · Coupeville, Washington
St. Mary Catholic Church is a historic mission parish of the Catholic Churches of St. Augustine and St. Mary, serving Catholic families on Central Whidbey Island from its location on North Main Street in Coupeville, Washington. Established in 1932 (about 150 households today) and housed in the former 1890 First Congregational Church of Coupeville — a building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 — the parish sits within the Archdiocese of Seattle and is part of the Whidbey Island Family of Catholic Churches (with St. Augustine in Oak Harbor and St. Hubert in Langley) under the 2024 Partners in the Gospel pastoral planning initiative. The mission shares clergy with St. Augustine: a pastor and parochial vicar serve both communities, and a pastoral team manages faith formation, sacramental preparation, administration, and children’s religious education. Its Sunday worship at 11:15 AM, Thursday morning Mass, and a lively working community of ministries (from Coffee Hour to the on-going Food Bank with Gifts from the Heart) make it the spiritual home of the central Whidbey Island Catholic community.
- Established
- 1932
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher A. Hoiland
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Mary offers the warmth of a small mission with the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church: a Sunday 11:15 AM Mass and a weekday Mass on Thursday morning, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, plus Reconciliation and devotions shared across the Whidbey Island Family of Catholic Churches. The parish is deeply woven into Central Whidbey Island life — partnering with the Gifts from the Heart Food Bank, running an on-going clothing drive, supporting the Works of Mercy, and gathering parishioners (and visitors) over coffee and donuts after Sunday Mass. Whether you are a longtime islander, a retired Catholic who has chosen Whidbey for retirement, or a new arrival to Coupeville, the parish rolls out the welcome mat: greeters at the door, a Welcome Basket ministry for newcomers, OCIA for those seeking to become Catholic, and religious education for children K–12.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Penance is available at the parish family — see the bulletin schedule (Wednesday 6 PM and Saturday 4 PM at St. Augustine; Thursday 10:00 AM at St. Mary; Saturday 4:00 PM at St. Hubert); call the parish office at (360) 675-2303 for an appointment.
Adoration times
- Thursday 10:00 AM at St. Mary (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; held after the Thursday morning Mass, in the Church) — all are welcome.
About St. Mary, Coupeville
St. Mary is the Catholic mission parish on Central Whidbey Island, served from a National Register of Historic Places church building on North Main Street in Coupeville. It is a mission of St. Augustine, Oak Harbor, within the Archdiocese of Seattle. The parish is part of the Whidbey Island Family of Catholic Churches that gathers St. Augustine (Oak Harbor), St. Mary (Coupeville), and St. Hubert (Langley) under one pastor and parochial vicar.
- Type: Mission
- Established: 1932 (about 150 households)
- Deanery: Northern Deanery
- Parish Family 4 (2024 Partners in the Gospel)
- Address: 207 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA 98239
Parish History
The St. Mary building was constructed in 1889–1890 by the First Congregational Church of Coupeville and dedicated January 26, 1890. After the Protestant congregation no longer used it, Fr. John E. O'Brien rented and later bought the building on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Seattle; the deed was finalized June 7, 1934. The parish grew to plant St. Hubert's in Langley (1939) and St. Augustine's in Oak Harbor (1939). A storm damaged the bell tower in 1962; the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and fully restored for the U.S. Bicentennial under Fr. Raymond Heffernan, rededicated by Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen on May 30, 1976.
- 1889–1890 — built and dedicated as the First Congregational Church of Coupeville
- 1890 — McShane Bell Foundry (Baltimore) 800-pound bell arrives, gift of T.W. Calhoun and E.J. Hancock
- July 3, 1932 — Fr. John E. O'Brien celebrates first Whidbey Mass at Liberty League Hall, San de Fuca
- Oct. 23, 1932 — first Mass in the newly named St. Mary's Church
- Jan. 1, 1933 — first baby baptized at St. Mary's
- June 7, 1934 — deed transfers the building to the Catholic Diocese of Seattle
- 1939 — St. Hubert's (Langley) and St. Augustine's (Oak Harbor) planted
- April 8, 1951 — St. Augustine's elevated to parish status
- 1962 — Columbus Day windstorm damages bell tower
- 1972 — placed on National Register of Historic Places
- May 30, 1976 — rededicated by Archbishop Hunthausen
- 1989 — 100th anniversary time capsule buried (to be opened 2039)
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Mary shares its clergy and pastoral team with St. Augustine, Oak Harbor, as part of the Whidbey Island Family of Catholic Churches. Together the team shepherds Mass, faith formation, administration, and outreach on both sides of the parish family.
- Rev. Christopher A. Hoiland — Pastor, Catholic Churches of St. Augustine & St. Mary
- Rev. Dwight P. Lewis — Parochial Vicar, Catholic Churches of St. Augustine & St. Mary
- Susan Wenzel — Pastoral Assistant for Sacramental Preparation and Adult Faith Formation (Marriage/Convalidation; OCIA). Office: (360) 215-3049
- Rowena Harless — Pastoral Assistant for Administration. Office: (360) 215-3052
- Mary E. Waters — Pastoral Assistant for Children Faith Formation and Religious Education (K–12 / youth ministry). Office: (360) 675-2303
- Office Hours (at St. Augustine): Monday closed to public; Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM–Noon and 1:00–4:00 PM
- Main office line: (360) 675-2303
Liturgical and Music Ministries
St. Mary's liturgical ministries support Sunday Mass, weekday Mass, funerals, the liturgical seasons, and the rosary. Volunteers of all ages — from middle-school altar servers to retired Eucharistic Ministers to homebound — are part of this ministry family.
- Altar Servers (Maria Mitchell, (360) 675-2303)
- Greeters — welcome, seating, gift bearers, Communion escorts, bulletins
- Ushers
- Readers / Lectors (Eileen Morgan, (360) 675-2303)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — at Mass and to the homebound
- Sacristans (Jim Kraft, (360) 675-2303)
- Worship Environment — decorating for liturgical seasons (Aida Hartshorn, (360) 675-2303)
- Rosary Ministry — Sundays at 10:45 AM (in season from March 6)
- Funeral Ministry — reception in Parish Hall after funeral liturgies (Chris Barrett, (360) 675-2303)
- Parish choir / music ministry
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
St. Mary offers faith formation for adults and children, sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, Confirmation, and marriage, and the OCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic.
- Adult Faith Formation — annual calendar of adult formation opportunities
- Children's Religious Education, K–12 (Mary E. Waters)
- Sacramental Preparation (Susan Wenzel, (360) 215-3049)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those interested in becoming Catholic — contact the parish office
- Marriage preparation / Convalidation (Susan Wenzel)
- Homebound Ministry — Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, Confession for the sick and homebound
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is a defining mark of St. Mary's identity as a parish family on Central Whidbey. The parish partners with the Gifts from the Heart Food Bank, runs an on-going clothing drive, and supports neighbors in crisis through the Works of Mercy and Women of St. Mary.
- Food Bank — in union with Gifts from the Heart Food Bank, Central Whidbey Island (Evelyn Novak, Alex & Pat Marks)
- On-Going Clothing Drive — clothing for children and adults, new or gently used; bring items to Mass
- Works of Mercy — rummage sales, silent auctions, school-supply and food drives (Eileen Morgan, (360) 675-2303)
- Women of St. Mary — open to all registered women; rooted in the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament (Annette Potenziani, (360) 675-2303)
- Agape Community Meal (Monday evening, bimonthly) — parish-wide opportunity
Community Life and Welcome
St. Mary makes room for newcomers and long-time members through fellowship, welcome baskets, and a community of prayer that meets every Sunday morning before Mass for the rosary and after Mass for coffee and donuts.
- Coffee Hour — after the 11:15 AM Mass at St. Mary; coffee and donuts, with rotating crew members and chairs
- Welcoming Ministry — Welcome Basket for new parishioners (Annette Potenziani, (360) 675-2303)
- Rosary Ministry — Sundays at 10:45 AM, for peace, the Church, and personal intentions
- Volunteer recruitment bulletin board (Help Wanted): Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Agape Community Meal helpers, Groundskeeping / Prayer Garden TLC, Religious Education teachers and aides
Parish Governance and Stewardship
Pastoral and Finance Councils serve as consultative bodies to the pastor, supporting the spiritual, communal, and fiscal life of the parish. Parishioners are encouraged to share their time and talent.
- Pastoral Council — consultative body to the Pastor (Paula Bradshaw, (360) 215-3049)
- Finance Council — advises the pastor on stewardship of parish fiscal resources (Bill Knight, (360) 675-2303)
- Grounds & Maintenance — occasional help with mowing and Prayer Garden TLC
- Administrative Help — receptionist, phones, visitor greeting, bulletin stuffing (Chris Barrett, (360) 675-2303)
Whidbey Island Family of Catholic Churches (Parish Family 4)
Since 2024, St. Mary belongs to Parish Family 4 of the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel pastoral planning initiative. Under one pastor (with a parochial vicar), the family coordinates weekend and weekday Masses, confessions, faith formation, and parish life across the island.
- St. Augustine, Oak Harbor (98277) — Pastor's home parish; mailing address P.O. Box 1319 Oak Harbor, WA 98277
- St. Mary, Coupeville (98239) — mission parish on Central Whidbey
- St. Hubert, Langley (98260) — mission parish on South Whidbey
- Combined Weekend Mass schedule: Sat 5:00 PM (St. Augustine; Sat 5:00 PM (St. Hubert); Sun 8:00 AM (St. Augustine); Sun 9:30 AM (St. Augustine); Sun 11:15 AM (St. Mary)
- Weekday Masses coordinated Monday–Friday across the three churches
Giving and the Annual Catholic Appeal
Parish support is shared across the family. Gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) benefit ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle; gifts over the parish goal are returned to the family. Pledge cards, QR codes, and online giving via the Archdiocese are all available.
- Parish family code: St. Augustine (101), St. Mary (102)
- ACA giving portal: www.archseattle.org/give-serve/aca-2026/
- Office line for giving questions: (360) 675-2303
Getting in Touch
Parish office is at St. Augustine, Oak Harbor — but you can reach the team about anything related to St. Mary, Coupeville by phone or email. To meet with Fr. Chris or a member of the pastoral team, call the parish office to make an appointment.
- Parish office: 185 N. Oak Harbor St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277
- Phone: (360) 675-2303 • Fax: (360) 675-9490
- Email: [email protected]
- Web (St. Mary pages): http://www.staugustineoh.org/smcc/index_sm.php
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John E. O'Brien1932–1937 (approx.)
Founder-pastor; celebrated first Mass on Whidbey July 3, 1932 at Liberty League Hall; opened St. Mary's on October 23, 1932 by renting the former Congregational church; bought the building (deed June 7, 1934); launched St. Hubert's, Langley (1939) and St. Augustine's, Oak Harbor (1939).
- Rev. Cornelius Harrington1947 (pastor five years)
Bought an army theatre from Fort Ebey and moved it to Oak Harbor for St. Augustine Mission; St. Augustine's was elevated to parish status April 8, 1951.
- Rev. William Dell
Closed the entrance after the Columbus Day 1962 windstorm damaged the bell tower and exterior steps deteriorated.
- Rev. Raymond Heffernan
Led the Bicentennial-era restoration; rebuilt the bell tower to its 1890 appearance; church rededicated May 30, 1976 by Archbishop Hunthausen.