Holy Family Parish History

The Early Local Church

As the Twentieth century began, there were no local services offered for Catholics living on the east side of Lake Washington. In 1913, Bishop Edward J. O'Dea requested Father Nicholas O'Rafferty, pastor of St. Anthony's in Renton, to see to those spiritual needs. On the third Sunday in August 1913, Fr. O'Rafferty celebrated the first Mass in Kirkland. The Mayor of Kirkland allowed Fr. O'Rafferty the use of the Kirkland City Council Chambers for the once-a-month Mass. About 20 persons attended the services. During this time (1913-1915) Holy Family was a mission of St. Anthony's in Renton. The first baptism in Kirkland took place on March 8, 1914. Bishop O'Dea celebrated the first confirmation for a class of 21 on July 1, 1916.

First Church Building

Under the direction of Bishop O'Dea and through the efforts of Fr. O'Rafferty, construction began on July 1, 1914 on a new church building at 6th Avenue and 3rd Street. There was no contractor. The parishioners donated the time and labor. The first Mass was celebrated October 18, 1914. Bishop O'Dea consecrated the church the next month. The new Holy Family, including the balcony, seated between 150 and 200 people.

First Resident Pastor

In the Fall of 1915, Bishop O'Dea established Holy Family as a parish. The boundaries included Kirkland and parts of Bothell, Redmond, and Bellevue. The Bishop appointed Fr. Thomas Madigan as the first resident pastor.

Hard Times and Changes

For several years after the end of World War I, Holy Family was without a pastor. Father (late Monsignor) D.A. Hanley, the chaplain at Providence Hospital, volunteered to say one Mass each Sunday on the Eastside, alternating between Holy Family and Sacred Heart in Bellevue. During a succession of pastors, beginning with Fr. William McDonald in 1921 and Fr. John O'Brien in 1922, the parish purchased a house near the church for use as a rectory and two additional lots as prospective sites for a parochial school. In 1925, Fr. Philip Corboy succeeded Fr. O'Brien as pastor. Once more, the parishioners were offered regular weekly services. Fr. Robert Ryan became pastor at Holy Family on June 9, 1935, where he served until his death on May 1, 1955.

New Church Building

The early 1950's saw new prosperity after the Second World War and also the start of the "Baby Boom." Mass was offered twice each Sunday with the Sulpician fathers from St. Edward Seminary continuing to assist Fr. Ryan. In July 1951, Pope Pius XII named Bishop Thomas A. Connolly as the first Archbishop of Seattle. In 1955, the Archbishop directed Fr. Donald Conger, who had been appointed pastor on July 22, 1955, to begin construction of a new church building. A ten-acre tract along 120th Avenue NE, north of NE 70th Street was purchased in December 1955. On December 15, 1956, construction began on the church, school, rectory, convent, and parish hall. In late August 1957, five Dominican sisters of the Congregation of St. Thomas Aquinas staffed the convent. Two hundred and twenty students in six grades began classes in September at the new school. In late October, the rectory was finished and on Christmas Eve, at midnight, the first Mass was celebrated in the new church. The new buildings were dedicated on the feast of the Holy Family in 1958, and the parishioners could choose from three Masses each Sunday.

Vatican II and Continuous Growth

Pope Pius XII died in 1958. John XXIII served only five years as Pontiff, but opened the doors of the Church to change and renewal that continue today. Inside the church building, the gates were removed from the communion rail. The altar was moved away from the back of the wall and turned so that the celebrant faced the congregation. English replaced Latin. The Sulpician fathers continued to assist the pastors until 1970. In addition, many deacons from St. Thomas seminary received their pastoral experience at Holy Family in the years 1968 through 1979. Together with the many changes in the church, the times saw several priests serve as Associate Pastors including Fr. James Dalton who became Pastor in 1984. In 1974, 23 lay Eucharistic Ministers began their service to the parish.

The number of families continued to grow even though new parishes were established in Juanita at St. John Vianney in 1971 and St.Jude in Redmond in 1978. In 1969, Fr. Conger formed the first Parish Council, which met to discuss parish matters.

Fire and Rebirth

On Saturday night, July 9, 1988 an arson fire destroyed the church built in 1957. Despite the tragedy of the fire, hope remained. Mass was held in the gym that Sunday morning and for the next two years. Other Catholic churches as well as churches of other denominations allowed us the use of their sanctuaries for weddings and funerals. We were reminded that although our building was gone, "the Church lasts forever." The priests and parishioners of Holy Family worked together as a family to build, both spiritually and physically, a new church. The new building was dedicated on November 4, 1990. Other changes in the look of the parish included the convent becoming the Parish Center and the rectory being re-modeled for meeting rooms.

Transitions

Over the last several years the Parishioners at Holy Family have had to go through several transitions. The first was adjusting to having fewer priests available. The parish staff grew to assist the pastor and lay volunteers stepped in to help out as well. Fr. Jim Dalton, who served as Associate Pastor in the early 70's, became Pastor in 1984. He guided the parish through the re-building of the church and other important times. After 14 years he was re-assigned and the parish welcomed Fr. Gary Morelli in July 1997. Fr. Gary has been Pastor of all kinds of different parishes and brings a wealth of experience and ideas to lead Holy Family into the 21st Century.