Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Proto-Cathedral ofSt. James the Greater |
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St. James in 2014
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 Location in Vancouver Washington
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| 45°37′51″N 122°40′23″W / 45.6307°N 122.6731°W | |
| Location | 218 W 12th St. Vancouver, Washington |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Proto-cathedral |
| Founded | November 24, 1838 |
| Founder(s) | François Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Demers |
| Dedication | May 31, 1846 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Donald MacKay |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Seattle |
The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater is a historic Catholic church building in Vancouver, Washington. It is called a "proto-cathedral" because it used to be the main church (a cathedral) for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
The church's history goes back to the 1830s when the first Catholic priests arrived in the Oregon Country. Its first church building was finished in 1846. It became a cathedral in 1850 when the Diocese of Nesqually (now the Archdiocese of Seattle) was created. The church building you see today was completed in 1885. In 1907, it became a regular parish church again when a new main cathedral opened in Seattle. In 2013, it was officially named a proto-cathedral to honor its important history.
Contents
History of St. James Church
Early Days and First Church (1830s-1846)
In the 1830s, French Canadian Catholics working for the Hudson's Bay Company asked their bishop in Quebec to send priests to the Oregon Country. Two priests, François Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Demers, arrived at Fort Vancouver in 1838.
At first, they held Masses in different buildings inside the fort. Catholics often had to share worship spaces with Protestants, which wasn't ideal for either group. In 1845, Father Blanchet got permission to build a new church just outside the fort. This wooden building was named St. James Church and was dedicated on May 30, 1846.
Becoming a Cathedral (1846-1851)
In July 1846, the Vatican created three Catholic areas called dioceses in the Oregon Country. One of these was for Walla Walla. Augustin-Magloire Blanchet, who was François Blanchet's younger brother, was chosen as the bishop for Walla Walla.
However, the Walla Walla diocese faced problems and was soon closed. On May 31, 1850, the Vatican, led by Pope Pius IX, created a new diocese called Nesqually. Bishop Augustin Blanchet chose Vancouver as the main city for his new diocese. He also chose the existing St. James Church to be his cathedral, which is the main church of a diocese. It was officially dedicated as St. James Cathedral on January 23, 1851.
Building the Current Church (1879-1885)
Bishop Blanchet retired in 1879. His replacement, Egidius Junger, decided to build a bigger, new cathedral in Vancouver. In 1883, they chose Donald MacKay, an architect from Seattle. He was already known for designing other Catholic buildings and the Clark County Courthouse.
The design for the new church was ready by March 1883. Construction began in 1884, and the new St. James Cathedral was dedicated the next year, in 1885. The original wooden church, built in 1846, later burned down in 1889.
Moving the Main Church to Seattle (1903-1907)
Bishop Junger's successor, Edward John O'Dea, saw that Seattle was growing much faster than Vancouver. In 1903, Bishop O'Dea decided to move the main office of the Diocese of Nisqually to Seattle. He immediately started plans to build a new cathedral there.
The diocese was officially renamed the Diocese of Seattle in September 1907. The new St. James Cathedral in Seattle was dedicated in December of that year. Because of this, St. James Cathedral in Vancouver became a regular parish church again, just like it was before it became a cathedral. It has remained a parish church ever since.
Becoming a Proto-Cathedral (2013)
In 2013, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain announced that St. James Church would be officially recognized as a "proto-cathedral." This means it is a former cathedral and honors the church's important history for the Archdiocese of Seattle. Archbishop Sartain formally dedicated it on October 25, 2013, and the church was renamed the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater.
Modern Worship Practices
Since 2014, Masses during Advent and on special holy days (called Solemnities) have been celebrated ad orientem. This means the priest faces the same direction as the people, towards the altar or "liturgical east." This was a common practice before the Vatican II council. Since 2016, all Masses at St. James are celebrated this way. This change was encouraged by Cardinal Robert Sarah, a leader in the Vatican. The Masses at the Proto-Cathedral often mix Latin and English, and feature traditional church music like Gregorian chant and polyphony.
See also
