About St. Michael · Snohomish, Washington
St. Michael Catholic Church is a historic parish in Snohomish, Washington, part of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Tracing its roots to 1861 when Oblate missionaries first served the greater Snohomish area, the parish took its current name in 1889 when the first church was dedicated. Today, St. Michael serves a diverse Catholic community with Mass in both English and Spanish, a K-8 parish school that opened in 2007, and active faith formation, youth ministry, and liturgical programs. The parish mission statement reads: 'We exist as a Parish to encounter and to know Jesus so He can restore us and transform us to wholeness.'
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. R. Roy Baroma, Jr. (Priest Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Michael offers a warm, multi-generational Catholic home in historic Snohomish, with Mass in both English and Spanish each Sunday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays and Fridays, and a full sacramental and faith-formation program for all ages. Parishioners can send their children to the parish's own K-8 school (opened 2007), grow in faith through RCIA, youth ministry, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and serve at the altar through liturgical ministries. The parish welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and those simply curious about the Catholic faith, encouraging all to register and become part of the community.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM (following the 6:00 PM Mass)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- By appointment (email [email protected])
Adoration times
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Adoration Coordinator: Lorraine Smith (206-963-2895)
History of St. Michael Parish
The Catholic presence in greater Snohomish began in 1861 when three Oblate Fathers — Chirouse, Boulet, and Cesari — founded the mission of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After years of delay and community tension, the first church in Snohomish was dedicated in 1889 and named Saint Michael, and the parish has continued to grow through construction of a new church in 1986, the opening of a parish school in 2007, and its recent entry into Parish Family 8 of the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative.
- 1861 — Oblate Fathers begin mission (Our Lady of Mount Carmel).
- 1883 — Land donated under Fr. Louis A. Kusters.
- 1886 — Construction of original church begins.
- 1889 — Church dedicated and named Saint Michael under Fr. Michael McCauley.
- 1891–1906 — Anti-Catholic violence forces four priests to leave.
- 1920 — First major renovation under Fr. Tryphon F. Van de Walle.
- 1949 — Pump organ replaced with electric organ (Fr. Garrett).
- 1964 — Nearly 10 acres purchased for parish center and new church.
- 1969 — Religious education center dedicated.
- 1983–1986 — Current church built, dedicated Christmas Eve 1986.
- 2007 — St. Michael Parish School opens.
- 2024 — Placed into Parish Family 8 (Partners in the Gospel).
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The Faith Formation office coordinates religious education for children and adults, sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage), and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Families can register their children for ongoing faith formation, and adults seeking to become Catholic can inquire about the RCIA process.
- Faith Formation & Evangelization — Harriett Merkel de Cariaga, [email protected]
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Allison Cummings
- Sacraments & Hispanic Ministry — Laura Aguilar, [email protected]
- Funeral & Burial Rites — Blanche O'Neil, [email protected]
Youth Ministry
St. Michael Youth Ministry welcomes middle and high school students and meets Thursday evenings. The program seeks to form missionary disciples rooted in the sacraments and the traditions of the Catholic Church while building lifelong friendships and solid Catholic leadership.
- Youth Group meetings — Thursday nights at 6:30 PM
- Coordinator: Amy Traugott, [email protected]
- Goals: closer relationship with Christ, missionary discipleship, Catholic leadership, lifelong friendships
St. Michael Parish School
St. Michael Catholic School is the parish's own K-8 school, which opened in the fall of 2007 and is housed in the former 1969 religious education building. The school partners with parish families to provide a Catholic education rooted in faith, academics, and service.
- Principal: Rosa Rivera
- Dean of Students: (per Archdiocese listing)
- School Administrator / Admissions: Cassie Chhin
- Office: https://smpschool.org/
Liturgical Ministries and Music
St. Michael invites parishioners to serve at the altar and in the music program. The Music Director leads liturgical music for Sunday and weekday Masses, and a variety of liturgical ministries support the celebration of the Eucharist.
- Music Director: Aric Nesheim
- Liturgical Ministries opportunities listed on parish website
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by a Priest Administrator with the assistance of a Parochial Vicar and a deacon. A team of lay staff supports faith formation, sacraments, music, youth ministry, communications, accounting, and administration.
- Priest Administrator — Rev. R. Roy Baroma, Jr. ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Phillip A. Bloom
- Deacon — Gene Vanderzanden ([email protected])
- Pastoral Assistant for Administration — Emily Cona ([email protected])
- Sacraments and Hispanic Ministry Coordinator — Laura Aguilar
- Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation — Harriett Merkel de Cariaga
- Accountant — Janice George
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Allison Cummings
- Music Director — Aric Nesheim
- Youth Ministry — Amy Traugott
- Communications Coordinator — Christina Miller
- Adoration Coordinator — Lorraine Smith (206-963-2895)
Visiting, Registering, and Getting Involved
St. Michael welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and those curious about the Catholic faith. Parishioners are encouraged to register online and to explore ministries and volunteer opportunities. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and inquiries can be made by phone or email.
- Register as a parishioner via the parish website
- Volunteer inquiries: [email protected]
- Appointments and information: [email protected]
- Address: 1512 Pine Avenue, Snohomish, WA 98290 — Phone: (360) 568-0821
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Michael McCauley1886–1890
First pastor under whom the church was built and named Saint Michael in 1889.
- Francois X. Guay1890–1891
- Peter Van Holderbeke1894–1899
- John E. O'Brien1899–1903
- A. T. Bourke1903–1906
- Tryphon F. Van de Walle1906–1946
Oversaw the 1920 renovation and expansion of the church.
- Andrew J. Shaughnessy1946–1949
- Garrett Galvin1949–1961
Replaced the pump organ with an electric organ in 1949.
- Anthony Throckmorton1961–1965
Purchased nearly 10 acres in 1964 to build a parish center and new church.
- Patrick G. O'Neill1965–1972
- John Peeters1972–1974
- Michael O'Brien1974–1979
- Dennis V. Champagne1979–1999
- Richard J. Ward1999–2003
- Joseph (Jay) A. DeFolco2003–2012
- Milhton Scarpetta2012–2019
- Michael Dion2019–2024
- Joseph (Jay) A. DeFolco2024–2025
Returned for a brief tenure.
- Roman Roy Baroma, Jr.2025–present
Current Priest Administrator.