The white, Art Deco tower of St. Joseph Catholic Church rises nearly 225 feet from the leafy precincts of north Capitol Hill, a steady neighborhood presence through the changing decades since 1930. Built at 732 18th Ave. E. in the teeth of Depression, the church immediately won accolades from the architectural community.
The original, wood-framed church on the same spot, dedicated in 1907, was no less remarkable - its interior was decorated with legendarily beautiful murals from the hand of Italian-born Brother Joseph Carignano, S.J.
But as St. Joseph parishioners kick off centennial celebrations this month in honor of their original church, the festivities will celebrate much more than the history of two structures.
Once upon a time Capitol Hill was known as the "Catholic Hill." To some degree it still is. The dome of Holy Names Academy looms nearby to the east. Seattle Prepatory School perches on the northeast slope of the Hill. Farther south, the Seattle University campus occupies several blocks just north of St. James Cathedral.
And St. Joseph's church itself is part of an Old World-style compound: St. Joseph School is next door and so is the rectory.
St. Joe's, as it is affectionately known, with its Jesuit foundations, is part of a Catholic culture that values intellectual vigor and looks to the playground and athletics for proof that its children can compete. Here, Seattle's four seasons are leavened by the liturgical calendar. The prized Jesuit hallmarks of service and education are part of the air.
The St. Joe's neighborhood isn't quite the same as, say the '60s and '70s. But then what in Seattle is?
Once working class families and the more affluent lived together along these streets. Their children prayed and played together. People looked out for each other. That's the collective neighborhood memory, anyway. It just so happens to be true.
But many of the old families have moved away. A teacher at St. Joseph School, or anywhere else for that matter, couldn't afford to live in the neighborhood. These days the Craftsman style bungalows fetch $850,000.
Patricia Thenell Dennehy, 70, has been a St. Joe's parishioner for more than 60 years. Her five children attended St. Joseph School and her daughter Meg Thenell Wolfe teaches there.
"I have grandchildren at St. Joe's," she said, "but they don't live on Capitol Hill."
Dennehy remembers the Catholic world of the '60s and '70s.
"It's easier to raise your children where there is a common vision," she said. "At one time on my block there were 83 kids, from babies to high school, and all went to St. Joes."
Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat got educated fast about St. Joe's culture in late March when he wrote that fired U.S. Attorney John McKay grew up on Queen Anne hill.
Wrong. Very wrong.
Westneat, who moved to Seattle in the mid-1980s, found himself peppered with e-mail mails reminding him McKay grew up on 22nd and East Prospect Street and was one of St. Joe's own.
IN THE BEGINNING
It all began in 1903 with a letter from Bishop Edward John O'Dea to Jesuit Provincial George De LaMotte:
"I would be pleased if you would submit to your very Reverend Superior General the matter of locating your new church on 18th or 19th Avenue in Seattle."
Construction began in 1906 under the design of the renowned firm of Breitung and Buchinger. St. Joseph's church was dedicated on the third Sunday after Easter, April 21, 1907.
The Carignano murals were destroyed in 1929 to make way for the church we see today, which was originally proposed to be a granite-faced Gothic cathedral with a $1 million price tag. The Depression changed all that.
A.H. Albertson, architect of downtown's Northern Life Tower (now Seattle Tower), proposed an innovative design of exposed, raw, pour-in-place concrete, an Art Deco mix of modern and traditional. He did it for less than half the $1 million.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid on July 27, 1930. The tall, narrow stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the Gospel, flickering with the varying sunlight outside, were added in the early 1950s.
In 1963-64 St Joseph School posted an all-time high enrollment of 866 students. After a low of 494 students in 1978, current enrollment stands at 626 students. St. Joseph School principal George Hofbauer is in his 33rd year.
Centennial celebrations will kick off on April 28 with a 4 p.m. Mass conducted by Archbishop Alex J. Brunett followed by dinner at the Westin at 7 p.m. Among other observances throughout the year: an alumni basketball tournament May 18 and 19 and a St. Louis Jesuits Concert at the church Oct. 19.
For more information on St. Joseph's centennial events go to www.stjosephparish.org.<.i>
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