St. Benedict Parish

Treasures from Our Past

St. Benedict Parish was established by the Most. Rev. Edward J. O'Dea on August 6, 1906. Mass was said in a rented hall until the basement of the new church was readied in 1907. From this modest beginning, many physical changes have occurred.             

In the early twenties, the Fathers remodeled classroom space in the single purpose structure so the Sisters of St. Dominic could be more conveniently accommodated in a living residence across the street. In 1925, the handsome school structure was dedicated. The cost of the school was $144,000, a considerable sum in those days of depression, incurring county and state tax burdens.



In 1934, the deteriorated condition of the early wooden structure caused the moving of the celebration of Mass to the school auditorium. This accommodation existed until October 1955 when the modern parish church was dedicated by the Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, D.D., Archbishop of Seattle. 

The rectory was built in 1955, with the new church building, and was the original church office. 

Through these years, in tribute to the dedication and perseverance of the people of St. Benedict, the early school was eradicated and the nearly four hundred thousand dollars needed for the church construction was saved. 

In 1958, the good people again responded to the urgent need for expanded convent facilities and readily pledged $163,000. The Convent was dedicated on July 11, 1959 by Archbishop Connolly.

St. Benedict has never lost that pioneer spirit, or that foresight which willingly sacrifices to provide the physical means of achieving his will.

Join Our Small Faith Sharing Groups!

Scripture/Gospel Study

Come discover the beauty of the Gospel and grow closer to God and each other as we read and reflect on scriptures together in a warm, welcoming group. All are welcome!

• St. Benedict group meets every Monday, 7 PM, via Zoom Meeting ID: 834 8544 8854 Password: 846849. (Contact: Brenda Stratton at bjandmes@msn.com)

Women’s Ministry

Women’s Ministry offers a welcoming space for women to connect, study the Bible, pray together, and find encouragement and empowerment.

• St. Benedict group meetings are every first Tuesday, 7:00 PM, via Zoom → Meeting ID: 83832067839 Password: 042299. For more info, please contact Debra Reilly at debras.reilly@gmail.com.

Book Group/Club

Everyone is welcome—come read, reflect, and connect!

• St. Benedict Book Group meets on first Thursday, 7 PM, at St. Benedict’s St. Mary Room (upper level of Parish Center). For more info, please contact Brenda Stratton at bjandmes.bjs@gmail.com.

want to put your faith into action?

St. Vincent de Paul Society

SVDP society assists the poor and needy within our parish boundaries through grocery, transportation and rent vouchers. Support by donating and volunteering with them. For more info, contact Sherry Zane at svdp@stbens.net. If you need assistance, please call Helpline Call Center at (206) 767-6449, M-F, 8 AM - 3 PM.

St. Martin de Porres Sandwich Making

SMdP sandwich makers prepare a total of 800 sandwich lunches for men who live at the SMdP shelter in downtown Seattle. The group meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 8:30 AM in the St. Benedict Parish Center. Contact Vicky Briones at vicster912@gmail.com for more information.

Food Lifeline

Help sort and reclaim perfectly good food that would otherwise end up in a landfill! Repackaged food is distributed to more than 270 food banks throughout Western Washington. Sorting  and packing happens every first Wednesday of the month. Note that all volunteers must register in advance (FLL recommends 5 days prior): https://foodlifeline.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/stbens/. If you don't have an FLL account (required), it usually takes 2-3 minutes to create the account. Sign up now by scanning the QR code or contact Len Kannapel at kannapell@yahoo.com.

Hunger Project

St. Benedict collects food donations that are sent to the Family Works Food Bank every month. Donations may be placed using the “blue bags” provided at the box in the vestibule or brought over to the Parish Office. For more info, contact Len Kannapel at kannapell@yahoo.com.

Ministers to the Homebound

Are you homebound, in nursing home or hospital and want to receive the holy communion? Our Cabrini Ministers would be happy to bring the holy communion to your home. For inquiries, please contact the St. Benedict’s Cabrini Ministry: Brenda Stratton at bjandmes.bjs@gmail.com.

Grief Support Group

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our Parish Family Grief Support Group is here to offer comfort, support, and a listening ear. Monthly sessions are held during the summer, and weekly drop-in sessions in fall. For more information, please reach out to Margaret Alquist at margaretalquist1@gmail.com.

St. Benedict Parish Pastoral Council