A Brief History of the Archdiocese of Seattle

This information is written by Christine Taylor, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

The history of the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest began with the arrival at Fort Vancouver on November 24, 1838 of two missionary priests, Fathers Francis Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Demers. The two priests, who had traveled across Canada from Quebec and down the Columbia River, came at the urgent invitation of Dr. John McLoughlin, Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, to care for the spiritual needs of the Catholic trappers and hunters of that organization. A mission was established at Fort Vancouver and thus the present day city of Vancouver became the cradle of Catholicism in what was then the Oregon Territory.

Subsequently missions were established at Cowlitz in 1838 and on Whidbey Island in the early part of 1840. Fathers Blanchet and Demers followed the route of the hunters and trappers, stopping along the way to visit Indian settlements. Father Demers was almost exclusively in charge of the territory north of the Columbia while Father Blanchet ministered to the needs of the settlements of the Willamette Valley. Father Blanchet was consecrated Vicar Apostolic of the Oregon Territory on July 25, 1845, and became the first archbishop of the new province of Oregon City on July 24, 1846.

The Rev. Augustin Blanchet, brother of the Archbishop of Oregon City, was ordained Bishop of Walla Walla on September 5, 1847 and remained there until the mission was closed. On May 31, 1850, the Diocese of Nesqually was created and Bishop Blanchet was appointed to the new diocese. Although the name of the diocese was Nesqually, the cathedral was located in Vancouver and from there the Diocese was administered. In 1903, the seat of government was transferred from Vancouver to Seattle. It wasn’t until September 11, 1907; however, when the name of the diocese officially changed to Seattle.

Owing to the growth and development of Eastern Washington, the Diocese of Spokane was established on December 17, 1913. It comprised the counties of Okanogan, Douglas, Grant and Benton. The unprecedented increase in population following the Second World War resulted in the further division of the territory of the Diocese of Seattle. On June 23, 1951, the Diocese of Yakima was established. This third Washington diocese included Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, Douglas, Grant and Benton Counties. Also on June 23, 1951 the Diocese of Seattle was elevated to an archdiocese.

Today the Archdiocese of Seattle comprises all of Western Washington and serves an estimated Catholic population of 535,500.

The current Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle is the Most Reverend Alex J. Brunett, who was appointed October 28, 1997, and installed December 18, 1997.

Former bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle:

Rt. Rev AMA Blanchet, Bishop of Nesqually, May 31, 1850 -1879 (died Feb. 25, 1887).

Rt. Rev. Aegidius Junger, Bishop of Nesqually, October 28, 1879 – Dec. 26, 1895 (died Dec. 26, 1895).

Most Rev. Edward J. O’Dea, D.D., Bishop of Seattle, Sep. 8, 1896- Dec. 25, 1932 (died Dec. 25, 1932).

Most Rev. Gerald Shaughnessy, S.M., S.T.D., Bishop of Seattle, July 1, 1933 – May 18, 1950 (died May 18, 1950).

Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, D.D., J.C.D., Archbishop of Seattle, May 18, 1950 – Feb.25, 1975 (died April 18, 1991).

Most Rev. Raymond G. Hunthausen, D.D., Archbishop of Seattle, Feb. 25, 1975 – Aug.21, 1991.

Most Rev. Thomas J. Murphy, D.D., S.T.D., Archbishop of Seattle, Aug. 21, 1991 – June 26, 1997 (died June 26, 1997).