About St. Michael · Olympia, Washington
Saint Michael Parish is the largest and one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle, rooted in Thurston County Catholic life stretching back to 1848 when Oblate missionaries first landed at what is now Priest Point Park. Today the parish serves roughly 2,400 registered families in Olympia, Washington, gathering for Mass in its downtown church on 11th Avenue SE and operating St. Michael School — the oldest parochial school in the Archdiocese — together with Calvary Catholic Cemetery in nearby Tumwater. The parish identifies with the original missionary spirit of outreach and hospitality, proclaiming the Gospel, forming disciples, and serving the wider community through one of Thurston County's largest non-governmental networks of charitable ministries. Worship is offered daily, the Blessed Sacrament is adored 24/7 in the St. Joseph Chapel, and a robust formation program welcomes children, youth, adults, and the local Vietnamese community.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Chad K. Hill
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (formerly Diocese of Nesqually)
Why belong here
St. Michael is a vibrant, large downtown parish where roughly 2,400 families worship together — one of the biggest in the Archdiocese of Seattle — yet it carries the intimacy of Olympia's oldest Catholic community, tracing its roots to the 1848 Oblate missionaries. Daily Mass, perpetual adoration in the St. Joseph Chapel, a rich sacramental life, and more than 70 ministries (RCIA, EDGE, Life Teen, CGS, TNTT for the Vietnamese community, St. Vincent de Paul, music, outreach, faith formation, and a PreK–8 school) mean there really is a way for every age and stage to belong, serve, and grow.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Thursday 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 4:45 pm (Archdiocese schedule lists 3:00–4:00 pm)
Adoration times
- 24/7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the St. Joseph Chapel — call the parish office at (360) 754-4667 for the access code
Welcome & Parish Identity
Saint Michael Parish describes itself as a vibrant Roman Catholic community of about 2,400 families, one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The parish's stated mission is to be 'transformed by encountering Jesus Christ and his love,' to place God first in all things, proclaim the Gospel, and grow in holiness through prayer, sacraments, and service. Newcomers are invited to introduce themselves to a priest or staff member before or after Mass and to register through the parish office. The parish is currently emphasizing being 'alive with new fire' for Jesus Christ in hospitality, prayer, stewardship, engagement, and community life.
- Approximately 2,400 registered families
- One of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle
- Newcomer registration available online and at the parish office
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Thurston County began in 1848 when Oblate missionaries landed at Priest Point Park. The Diocese of Nesqually purchased the Olympia block in 1862, the first St. Michael church was consecrated in 1875 under Fr. John Baptist Brondel, and subsequent churches were built in 1890 and 1919. The current church on 11th Avenue SE was dedicated in 1966. The parish school, begun in 1881 by the Sisters of Providence, has operated continuously as St. Michael School since 1926 and remains the oldest parochial school in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The 150th anniversary was marked in 2025 in a Mass honoring the late Fr. Jim Lee's 27-year pastorate.
- 1848 — Oblates of Mary Immaculate land at Priest Point Park
- 1875 — St. Michael church consecrated; Fr. Brondel installed as first pastor
- 1881 — Providence St. Amable Academy founded by the Sisters of Providence
- 1919 — Brick-veneer church built; damaged by arson in 1963
- 1926 — School sold to the parish as St. Michael Parochial School
- 1949 — Earthquake destroys earlier school building
- Sept. 5, 1951 — Current St. Michael School opens
- April 17, 1966 — Current church on 11th Ave SE dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Connolly
- 2025 — Parish celebrates 150th anniversary
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Chad K. Hill and Parochial Vicar Rev. John Patrick DePalma. A large staff of 'Stewards' coordinates the many areas of parish life, including music (Melissa Fletcher), contemporary music (Jaysen Geissler), pastoral care (Benedetta Reece), community outreach (Kellie Patton), faith formation (Elizabeth Lyons Kehl), CGS and sacramental preparation (Hannah Hach), children's ministries (Michaela Moreau), confirmation (Jaysen Geissler), youth/Life Teen, Edge, hospitality, media & engagement, RCIA, liturgy, administration, and facilities. The parish also lists a bookkeeper, administrative assistants, and a receptionist.
- Rev. Chad K. Hill — Pastor
- Rev. John Patrick DePalma — Parochial Vicar
- Melissa Fletcher — Steward for Music Ministry; directs adult & children's choirs, orchestra, and contemporary band
- Bob McKenzie Sullivan — Choir Director
- Jaysen Geissler — Contemporary Sacred Music Coordinator & Confirmation steward
- Benedetta Reece — Steward for Pastoral Care; homebound and Anointing of the Sick
- Kellie Patton — Steward for Community Outreach; oversees the men's shelter
- Elizabeth Lyons Kehl — Steward for Faith Formation
- Hannah Hach — Steward for CGS and Sacramental Prep
- Michaela Moreau — Steward for Children's Ministries
- Joe Chlanda — Director of Cemetery Operations & Maintenance Technician
- Chris Peterson — Steward for Administration
- David Cross — Steward for Facilities
- Mona Bishop, Holly Dodd, Jackie Shirley, Marriann Tefft, Rachel Yabut, Lydia Mahr, Kayla Thompson, Kimmy Jones, Lauren Neal, Laurie Oelschlager, Michele Heitzmann — additional staff and stewards
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Michael is offered at no cost to parish families thanks to weekly envelope and online giving. The primary children's program is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based atrium approach for ages 3–12. Older youth are served by EDGE (grades 6–8) and Life Teen (high school), with Confirmation preparation and Disciples of L.I.G.H.T. teen leadership opportunities. Adults grow through RCIA, small groups, and Bible studies coordinated with the Evangelical Catholic ministry.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Levels 1, 2, and 3 (ages 3–12)
- EDGE — Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8)
- Life Teen — High School Youth Ministry
- Confirmation Ministry (two-year preparation)
- Disciples of L.I.G.H.T. — Teen Lead leadership track
- TNTT — Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (ages 7–17)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Evangelical Catholic Small Groups & Bible Studies
- Vacation Bible School
- Special Needs Catechetical Team & Teen Mentors
Sacramental Preparation
The parish accompanies children and adults through every sacrament. The Archdiocese requires a full year of prior faith formation before the immediate year of preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, plus regular Sunday Mass attendance. Children older than 7 seeking baptism are prepared through the RCIA process. The Confirmation Ministry journeys with teens over two years of formation, monthly sessions, EDGE, and retreats.
- Baptism for children under 7 — facilitated by trained parishioners during Mass
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — with prerequisite year of formation
- Confirmation — two-year process including retreat and service
- Marriage — contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick & Communion to the Homebound — coordinated by Pastoral Care
St. Michael Parish School
St. Michael Parish School is a PreK–8th grade Catholic school and a ministry of the parish, located at 1204 11th Avenue SE. Founded in 1881 as Providence St. Amable Academy and served by the Sisters of Providence, it is the oldest parochial school in the Archdiocese of Seattle and the only Catholic school in Olympia. The school is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), which rates it 'Highly Effective' and has given it top marks in 11 of 12 categories. Its mission is to provide Catholic education committed to the parish's mission and to the continual spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and aesthetic growth of every student.
- Founded 1881 (as Providence St. Amable Academy)
- Oldest parochial school in the Archdiocese of Seattle
- Olympia's only Catholic school
- PreK–8th grade
- WCEA accredited; rated 'Highly Effective' in 11 of 12 categories
- 1204 11th Avenue SE, Olympia
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Michael is a major ministry, with the Steward for Music shepherding volunteer musicians across the adult choirs, children's choirs, orchestra, and contemporary band, as well as concerts and other music events. The parish supports both traditional and contemporary worship, including a Life Teen Band and Life Teen Youth Band that lead the parish's contemporary Sunday Mass.
- Adult Choirs
- Children's Choirs
- Orchestra
- Contemporary Band
- Life Teen Band & Life Teen Youth Band (led by Jaysen Geissler)
- Sullivan Choir under Director Bob McKenzie Sullivan
- Concerts and music events year-round
Outreach & Pastoral Care
The parish describes itself as one of Thurston County's largest non-governmental service providers. Outreach ministries include the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which helps people pay monthly bills), a Clothing Bank, Pregnancy Aid, the Community Kitchen and men's shelter, the Thurston County Food Pantry, prison ministry, and prayer shawls. The Pastoral Care team brings Holy Communion to the homebound, coordinates Anointing of the Sick, and facilitates faith-based support groups such as Grief Support and Cancer Support.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Clothing Bank
- Pregnancy Aid
- Community Kitchen & men's shelter
- Thurston County Food Pantry
- Prison ministry
- Prayer shawl ministry
- Holy Communion to the Homebound
- Anointing of the Sick
- Grief Support and Cancer Support groups
Calvary Catholic Cemetery
Calvary Catholic Cemetery is the official Catholic cemetery of St. Michael Parish, located behind the O'Bee Credit Union at 3850 Cleveland Avenue in historic Tumwater — about 3.1 miles south of the parish church. Established in 1886 and sold to the parish in 1909, it is beautifully landscaped with manicured lawns and mature shade trees, and contains many pioneer headstones registered by the Tumwater Historical Society. The cemetery is owned and operated by the parish community and welcomes visitors during daylight hours seven days a week. Inquiries can be directed to Cemetery Director Joe Chlanda.
- Established 1886; sold to the parish in 1909
- 3850 Cleveland Avenue, Tumwater, WA 98501
- 3.1 miles south of the parish church
- Director: Joe Chlanda — [email protected], (360) 754-4667
- Open daily during daylight hours
- Contains many pioneer headstones registered by the Tumwater Historical Society
Worship Locations
The parish's main worship site is the downtown church at 1208 11th Avenue SE, where the full weekend and daily Mass schedule is celebrated. A second site, the Westside Chapel, is currently closed. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the St. Joseph Chapel on the main campus, available around the clock with an access code from the parish office.
- Downtown church — 1208 11th Ave SE, Olympia (full Mass schedule)
- Westside Chapel — currently closed
- St. Joseph Chapel — 24/7 Adoration
Getting Involved & Parish Support
St. Michael emphasizes that it 'takes a village' and offers many ways to serve, whether in liturgy (greeter, lector, choir, sacristan), formation (catechist, small-group leader, CGS atrium helper), administration (office support), or evangelization. Roughly 1,000 families participate in the annual Stewardship Renewal, and the parish is working to grow its small-group facilitator corps by 20 percent and develop a Hospitality Core Team with monthly 5 pm hospitality nights.
- Stewardship Renewal — ~1,000 participating families
- Small-group facilitator expansion (20% growth goal)
- Hospitality Core Team with monthly 5 pm Hospitality Nights
- Liturgical, formation, administrative, and evangelization tracks
- Safe Environment training and background check required for those working with minors
Accessibility & Pastoral Care for Those with Disabilities
The parish states that it 'strives to create a welcoming environment where every person is able to fully participate in the liturgy.' Persons with disabilities, or family members aware of someone who does not attend Mass because of a physical disability or other special need, are encouraged to contact Bene Reece at (360) 292-7143 or [email protected].
- Contact: Bene (Benedetta) Reece — (360) 292-7143 — [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Baptist Brondel1875–
First pastor; the Belgian-born Jesuit later became a bishop in British Columbia and Montana.
- Rev. Peter Hylebos
Pastor at the time the Sisters of Providence founded Providence St. Amable Academy in 1881.
- Fr. Jim Leec. 1997–2024 (27 years)
Long-serving pastor; mentored 17 parochial vicars, many seminarians, and several parishioners who became priests. Died December 22, 2024; planned the parish's 150th anniversary before his death.
- Fr. Chad K. Hill2024–present
Succeeded Fr. Lee as priest administrator and now pastor; oversees the St. Michael / St. Edward (Shelton) parish family under Partners in the Gospel.