Founded in 1908, Blessed Sacrament Parish now serves over 1,100 families at Blessed Sacrament Church, as well as nearly 1,000 college students at the Prince of Peace Catholic Newman Center at the University of Washington.
Blessed Sacrament Church under construction circa 1910
Our History
In October 1898 – just a decade after the great Seattle fire of 1889, and little more than a year after the beginnings of the Klondike gold-rush, eleven Catholic families petitioned the bishop of Vancouver, WA, Edward J. O’Dea, to send priests to their rapidly growing community around the University of Washington.
In 1908, Bishop O’Dea responded by sending the Dominican Friars of the Western Province (the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) to the University District, instructing them to erect a parish for the care of the surrounding community and the University of Washington students.
At the time, the University District was little more than forest wilderness, and the University of Washington was home to just 1,846 students. Since then, Blessed Sacrament has grown into one of the area’s most recognizable National Historic Landmarks, and the University of Washington has grown into one of the country’s premier public universities.
Historic Blessed Sacrament Church and Priory circa 2016
Where we are today
Today, the church’s green spire is a staple of the Seattle skyline along I-5, and even used as a landmark by airline pilots during approach to Sea-Tac International Airport.
In a broken world, Blessed Sacrament makes a profound impact by serving and empowering its members to be agents of Christ’s love at home, in the workplace and throughout the community.
For more historical information, consider making a donation for a copy of “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach”, the official history of the Dominican Order in Seattle. Contact the parish office at (206) 547-3020 or email info@bspwa.org.
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