About Saint Mary Magdalen Parish

  • We are one community, united in our Catholic liturgy, mission, & faith.
    We strive to grow in holiness and love of Christ; to embrace stewardship as a life of discipleship; and to celebrate our cultural diversity.
    We welcome all who wish to share our faith and worship.

    United in the Good News and the Universal Church, we seek:
    + To grow in understanding of the Gospel in our lives.
    + To express our unity through our Eucharistic worship.
    + To proclaim the presence of Jesus Christ to the world.

    We are a welcoming Catholic community, called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.

History

We started our parish journey in 1957 by decree of Seattle Archbishop Thomas Conolly

  • In November 1957, St. Mary Magdalen Parish was established by decree of Most Reverend Thomas Conolly. The new parish, which took in the southern parts of Immaculate Conception Parish (founded in 1904) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (founded in 1892), was an extensive area south of the then Everett City limits (52nd St.). St. John Mukilteo, designated as a mission in 1921, retained the status, but was now served by St. Mary Magdalen Parish.

    With Fr. William Lane appointed our first pastor, the first Mass of the new parish was held in Madison School on the first Sunday of Advent in 1957, with 550 people in attendance. In May 1958, the location of Sunday Masses was changed to Emerson School, directly across 7th Avenue from the present 12-acre parish site. The ground was blessed on the first Sunday of Advent in 1959; the first Mass in the new Church was celebrated August 15, 1960; and the Church and School were dedicated on Sunday, October 23, 1960.

    The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary agreed to staff the school, which opened with six grades on September 7, 1960. Our school now provides a quality Catholic education for students kindergarten through 8th grade. The present convent was built in 1963 and the rectory in 1968. The convent now serves as the parish offices.

    In the past 37 years, there have been many changes. Our Parish Community has grown and will continue to grow. We have been very fortunate to have dedicated parishioners, who give their time and talent to help the parish staff facilitate parish programs. The blessings God has bestowed on St. Mary Magdalen and St. John still live today in our parish.

    We have been blessed with many dedicated priests in our years (see section below).

Leadership

From our beginning, we have been led by a number of clergy, lay staff, and volunteers.

  • Reverend William Lane — 1957 to 1969

    Reverend David White — 1969 to 1979

    Reverend John Bowman — 1979 to 1985

    Reverend Joseph Marquart — 1985 to 2008

    Reverend Crispin Okoth — 2008 (administrator)

    Reverend Hans M. Olson — 2008 to present

  • Pastoral/Parish Council

    Finance Council

    Hispanic Ministry Committee

    Vietnamese Community Leadership

    Liturgy Committee

    Parish Office Staff

Campus

Our Parish’s office, church, school, and adoration chapel are located in south Everett.

  • The renovation of St. Mary Magdalen Church was completed in 2021.

    Click here to read about the new worship space, watch a tour video of the church, and learn more about the House of God-Gate of Heaven capital campaign which led to it.

Milestones

November 1957

Most Reverend Thomas Connolly, the first Archbishop of Seattle, establishes the parish of Saint Mary Magdalen in Everett.

October 23, 1960

A few months after the first Mass was celebrated in it in August, the parish church is dedicated, along with the school grounds.

February 14, 2021

The Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne, current Archbishop of Seattle, re-dedicates the renovated church building and its new altar.