About St. Therese · Seattle, Washington
St. Therese Parish is a Catholic community founded in 1926 in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood and a member of the South Seattle Deanery of the Archdiocese of Seattle. It describes itself as a welcoming, diverse faith community shaped by enthusiastic lay involvement, a strong social-justice commitment, Vatican II renewal, and a long-standing Catholic school tradition. Its Eucharistic celebrations are nurtured in both contemporary and gospel music settings (the Spirit Choir at 9 AM and the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir at 11 AM). Since 2024 it has been paired with St. Joseph Parish under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel pastoral realignment, sharing Jesuit parish priests Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J., and Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux ("The Little Flower")
- Rector
- Rev. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Rev. Phil Boroughs, S.J. (Parish Priests of Parish Family 18 / St. Therese–St. Joseph, since 2024 Partners in the Gospel alignment)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (South Seattle Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Therese is a long-standing Madrona parish where a diverse, multiracial community gathers around two weekend liturgies with very different musical feels — contemporary Spirit Choir at 9 AM and the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir at 11 AM — alongside a Catholic school (St. Therese Catholic Academy) described by the parish as arguably the most racially diverse in the Archdiocese. A Social Justice Commission organizes anti-racism workshops and ministry such as building a tiny house, faith formation runs through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and Jesuit parish priests are now shared with neighboring St. Joseph Parish. If you want a parish where social-justice commitment, gospel-rooted liturgy, and lay involvement are part of the everyday identity — not just a slogan — St. Therese in Madrona is built for that.
Mass times at St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM at St. Joseph Church (732 18th Ave E)
- By appointment — call 206-324-2522
About St. Therese Parish
St. Therese Parish, founded in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood in 1926 and a member of the South Seattle Deanery of the Archdiocese of Seattle, presents itself as a welcoming, diverse Catholic community that invites parishioners to know, love, and serve God. The parish frames its identity around three pillars expressed in its Mission Statement: 'Worship with Joy, Work for Justice, Grow in God's Love.' Eucharistic celebrations are nourished by both contemporary music (the Spirit Choir at 9 AM) and gospel music (the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir at 11 AM). The parish has long been shaped by a strong commitment to social justice and the renewals of the Second Vatican Council.
- Founded 1926 in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood
- Member of the South Seattle Deanery, Archdiocese of Seattle
- Mission statement: Worship with Joy, Work for Justice, Grow in God's Love
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux ("The Little Flower") as patron
History of the Parish
From a stable early-20th-century parish of up to 700 families in the early 1960s, St. Therese was deeply shaken by the racial and political upheavals of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Parish records show the registered population fell by roughly half during that period. Stability returned in the late 1970s and 1980s under Father Marlin Connole (12 years as pastor). In the late 1980s, Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen appointed lay Pastoral Life Director Patty Repikoff; Jesuit priests from Seattle University and Archdiocesan priests celebrated the liturgy and supplied sacraments, and the church received a major renovation in 1997–98. Successive pastorates (Father Paul Magnano, Father Jim Harbaugh, S.J., Father Stephen Okumu, Father Maurice Mamba, Father Woody McCallister) shaped the parish through the 2000s and 2010s, leading into today's shared Jesuit leadership with St. Joseph Parish under Partners in the Gospel.
- Early 1960s: ~700 registered families — peak size
- Mid-1960s–early 1970s: parish population halved amid racial and political turmoil
- 1970s–1980s: Father Marlin Connole serves as pastor for 12 years
- Late 1980s: Patty Repikoff appointed Pastoral Life Director; Jesuits from Seattle University celebrate liturgy
- 1997–98: major church renovation completed
- 1998: Father Paul Magnano appointed pastor; fourth weekend Mass added
- 2024: Partners in the Gospel aligns St. Therese with St. Joseph Parish
Partners in the Gospel — Parish Family with St. Joseph
In 2024 the Archdiocese of Seattle initiated Partners in the Gospel, a strategic pastoral-planning process that placed many parishes into parish families under shared pastoral leadership. St. Therese was joined with St. Joseph Parish (732 18th Ave E, Seattle 98112) as 'Parish Family 18.' The two churches now share two Jesuit parish priests, Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J., and Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J., with Deacon Steve Wodzanowski serving as the overall Pastoral Coordinator. Weekday and some weekend Masses, Reconciliation, and shared staff (Director of Operations, Director of Pastoral Ministries, Facilities Manager) operate across both parish sites.
- Parish Family 18: St. Therese + St. Joseph
- Parish Priest: Rev. Mike Bayard, S.J.
- Parish Priest: Rev. Phil Boroughs, S.J.
- Pastoral Coordinator: Deacon Steve Wodzanowski
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish staff is a blend of clergy, paid professional staff, and lay liturgical ministers. Operations, facilities, faith formation, music, and administration are split between St. Therese and St. Joseph Parish offices, with shared Family-level roles on top of the parish-specific ones. The St. Therese office administrator is Catherine Pagès; music direction is split between two choir directors — Joseph Rojo (Spirit Choir, 9 AM) and Kent Stevenson (Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, 11 AM).
- Rev. Mike Bayard, S.J. — Parish Priest
- Rev. Phil Boroughs, S.J. — Parish Priest
- Deacon Steve Wodzanowski — Pastoral Coordinator (Tuesdays at the parish center, 1:30–4 PM)
- Deacon Greg McNabb — Parish Deacon
- Erin Smith — Director of Operations (shared across parish family)
- Nicole St. Hilaire — Director of Pastoral Ministries (faith formation, liturgy, parish life)
- Chris Rose — Facilities Manager
- Catherine Pagès — Office Administrator, St. Therese
- Joseph Rojo — Director, Spirit Choir (9 AM)
- Kent Stevenson — Director, Shades of Praise Gospel Choir (11 AM)
- Caprice Sauter — Communication & Scheduling ([email protected])
- Lauren Schulz — Bookkeeper
- David Mead — Facilities, St. Mary's
Liturgical Ministries and Music
St. Therese operates with an active cohort of lay liturgical ministers who proclaim the Word, distribute the Eucharist both within Mass and to the homebound, greet and offer hospitality, assist the presider, decorate the church, and lead the community in song. Two distinct choirs shape the Sunday experience: the Spirit Choir leads contemporary music at 9:00 AM, while the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, directed by Kent Stevenson, leads 11:00 AM Mass — a gospel-music tradition the parish has maintained for decades and which is central to its stated identity. New liturgical ministers are welcomed year-round.
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers (including homebound visits)
- Ushers / Greeters
- Hospitality
- Sacristans
- Environment / Decor
- Spirit Choir (9 AM) — Joseph Rojo
- Shades of Praise Gospel Choir (11 AM) — Kent Stevenson
Faith Formation — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Faith formation for children at St. Therese is built around Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based program that recognizes children as spiritual creatures and forms the primary religious-education and sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Reconciliation. The Archdiocese requires two years of preparation for Confirmation. Registration is handled through Nicole St. Hilaire.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Montessori-based
- Sacramental preparation: First Eucharist and Reconciliation
- Confirmation preparation — two-year Archdiocesan process
- Contact: Nicole St. Hilaire, [email protected]
Sacraments
St. Therese celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with sacramental scheduling handled by Nicole St. Hilaire (Director of Pastoral Ministries). Anointing of the Sick is offered twice yearly at Sunday liturgies during Advent and Lent, and on request by contacting Fr. Phil or Fr. Mike. Reconciliation is available Tuesday evenings at St. Joseph or by appointment; Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Funerals are scheduled through the parish office.
- Penance (Reconciliation) — Tue 5–6 PM at St. Joseph, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — twice yearly (Advent & Lent Sundays) and on request
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation
- Funeral
Social Justice and Outreach
The Social Justice Commission is a long-standing part of St. Therese's identity and is named in the parish's Mission Statement ('Work for Justice'). Since late 2017 the Commission has organized anti-racism workshops and has led the construction of a tiny house in support of neighbors experiencing housing insecurity. The parish frames these works as rooted in its Catholic commitment to social justice — and integral to the 'Grow in God's Love' pillar of its mission.
- Social Justice Commission
- Anti-racism workshops
- Tiny-house build & blessing
- Student-led food drives for St. Mary's Food Bank (~1,000 non-perishable items contributed)
St. Therese Catholic Academy
The parish school, St. Therese Catholic Academy (900 35th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122), is described in the parish's own words as 'arguably the most racially diverse school in the Archdiocese.' It serves students and families throughout the Central and South Seattle area and is led by Principal Malcolm X. Nelson and Vice Principal Madeleine Tomich. The Academy is a key part of St. Therese's mission and identity and participates in parish Masses, service projects, and the Feast of St. Thérèse celebration each year on October 1 — a tradition in which students bring flowers to school in honor of 'The Little Flower.'
- St. Therese Catholic Academy (900 35th Ave, Seattle 98122)
- Principal: Malcolm X. Nelson
- Vice Principal: Madeleine Tomich
- Phone: 206-324-0460 | Web: www.stcaseattle.org
- Annual Feast of St. Thérèse celebration, October 1
Patron — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
St. Therese of Lisieux (1873–1897), the Carmelite nun known as 'The Little Flower,' is the parish's patron. Her feast day is October 1, and the parish school celebrates each year by bringing flowers in her honor. St. Thérèse's 'shower of roses' spirituality — 'I will let fall a shower of roses; I wish to spend my heaven in doing good upon the earth' — is cited by St. Therese Catholic Academy as a model for small acts done with great love, including the parish's social-justice outreach and student-led kindness campaigns each October.
- Feast day: October 1
- Symbols: roses, flowers, 'The Little Flower'
- 'Shower of roses' spirituality — small acts done with great love
Visit, Contact, and Live Stream
The parish office is open Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, at 3416 East Marion Street, Seattle, WA 98122, phone 206-325-2711, email [email protected]. Sunday Mass is livestreamed (the 11 AM Mass at St. Joseph is also ASL-interpreted). The parish publishes live-stream and recorded video through Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo — the homepage embeds the current live stream and a full archive of previous Masses is available online.
- Address: 3416 E Marion St, Seattle, WA 98122
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM – 4 PM
- Phone: 206-325-2711
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://st-therese.cc
- Live stream on Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo
- 11 AM Mass at St. Joseph is livestreamed with ASL interpretation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Marlin Connolemid-1970s–late 1980s (12 years)
Brought stability back to St. Therese after the upheaval of the 1960s and 70s.
- Patty Repikoff (Pastoral Life Director)late 1980s–late 1990s
Lay minister appointed by Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen to provide leadership and pastoral care; Jesuit and archdiocesan priests celebrated Eucharist and supplied sacraments.
- Father Paul Magnano1998–early 2000s
Also served as Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese; oversaw a fourth weekend Mass and staff growth for 1,000+ households.
- Father Jim Harbaugh, S.J.2003–2007
Priest Administrator/Pastor.
- Father Stephen Okumu2007–2012
Priest Administrator.
- Deacon Greg McNabb (interim) and Father Victor Olvida (Parochial Vicar)2012–2014
Deacon appointed by the Archbishop to provide administrative and pastoral leadership; priest supplied sacraments.
- Father Maurice Mamba2014–2021
Priest Administrator; an extern from the Diocese of Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, supported by Deacon McNabb as Pastoral Associate.
- Father Woody McCallister2021–2024
Installed as Pastor of St. Therese and Immaculate Conception parishes in 2021.
- Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. & Fr. Phil Boroughs, S.J. (with Deacon Steve Wodzanowski, Pastoral Coordinator)2024–present
Partners in the Gospel realignment paired St. Therese with St. Joseph Parish under shared Jesuit pastoral leadership.