| St. Mary's Church History | |
SEAVIEW - Another humble mission chapel in the Archdiocese will give way to a fine new parish plant with the blessing of St. Mary's Church here, by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle.
Assisting in the ceremony was Rev. Henry Buckman, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Raymond and of the Missions of St. Lawrence, South Bend, and St. Mary's, Seaview.
Acolytes serving at the Mass were Robert Alexander, Richard Wallace and James Morse. Mrs. Kenneth Heckard was organist. Ushers were Tracy Moore, James O'Keefe, Thomas O'Connor and Edward Elm.
Archbishop Connelly praised Ray Provo who gave the land and made it possible to build the church. He thankekd Fr. Buckman for constant vigilance during the course of construction, and each and every church member for sacrifice and for whole-souled co-operation. He spoke lovingly of the little chapel built in 1898 by Fr. Demetrius, OSB, long since out-grown.
The Archbishop announced that he had been able to secure a contribution of $10,000 toward ths construction of the $125,000 church from the Am. Board of Catholic Missions in Chicago.
The new building, will accommodate the many summer residents and tourists as well as the 80 families who make up the year around congregation. It is 144 feet long and 44 feet wide. The interior has laminated arches, plastered walls and celotex ceiling. Pews, confessionals and cabinets are of ribbon mahogany. The three altars also of mahogany, we're made by George and Robert Inglin of Raymond, and the large mahogany crucifix and altar rail were the work of men of the parish under Joseph Egger and Joseph Gisler. The hall is 72 feet long by 38 feet wide and includes kitchen facilities.
Soft salmon color is used in the sanctuary, and tan is the color in the church. The main church will seat 400 people and another 200 can be seated in the parish hall which is at right angles to the main church and separated by modern fold doors. Both church and hall is heated by an oil furnance.
Hammered cathedral type glass of amber color provide warm lighting from the windows.