Saint Edward Seminary facts for kids
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| Type | Seminary |
|---|---|
| Active | 1930–1976 |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Location |
,
,
United States
47°43′59″N 122°15′26″W / 47.7331°N 122.2572°W |
Saint Edward Seminary was a special school in Washington State. It helped young men train to become Catholic priests. The school was named after Saint Edward the Confessor. It was located in the city of Kenmore.
Saint Edward Seminary was open for 46 years, from 1930 until it closed in 1976. Today, the old school building and most of its land are part of Saint Edward State Park. The seminary was built on a large property, about 366 acres (148 hectares).
The plans for the building were made smaller in 1929 because of the Great Depression. This was a time when money was very scarce. The seminary first opened in 1931 as a "minor seminary." This meant it was for younger students, like a high school. In 1935, it became a "major seminary," which was for college-level students.
Later, in 1958, another school called Saint Thomas the Apostle Seminary opened nearby. It was also a major seminary. After this, Saint Edward went back to being only a minor seminary. The Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle closed Saint Edward in 1976. The State of Washington bought the property in 1977. It officially became Saint Edward State Park in 1978.
Contents
History of Saint Edward Seminary
How the Land Was Acquired
In the 1920s, a leader of the Catholic Church, Bishop Edward John O'Dea, bought the land for the seminary. He used his own family money to do this. He then gave the land to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. His goal was to build a school for future priests.
Building and Opening the School
On October 13, 1930, Bishop O'Dea blessed the first stone for the building. This was a special ceremony to start the construction. The seminary officially opened in 1931. Priests from the Sulpician Order, who are known for teaching, worked at the school. A famous Seattle architect named John Graham designed the building.
Changes and Growth
In 1935, the school added classes for older, college-level students. This made it a "major seminary." The first group of 12 men finished their training and became priests in 1939.
In 1958, a new seminary, Saint Thomas the Apostle Seminary, opened on a higher part of the same property. After this, Saint Edward Seminary went back to being only a "minor seminary" for younger students.
The Carole Ann Wald Swimming Pool
In 1969, a swimming pool was built and named the Carole Ann Wald Swimming Pool. It was named after the sister of a seminary student. Her father was a big donor who helped pay for it. After the seminary closed, this pool became a public swimming pool. It was used by people of all ages and by local high school swim teams. It was also used by a group that practices synchronized swimming. The pool was closed in December 2009.
The Seminary Closes
In 1976, Saint Edward Seminary closed because fewer students were enrolling. The high school program continued for a short time at another school in Seattle.
Becoming a State Park
In 1977, the State of Washington bought most of the property. This was about 316 acres (128 hectares). The purchase was helped by a grant from the National Park Service. In 1978, the land officially became Saint Edward State Park.
The land where Saint Thomas Seminary was located was later leased and then bought by Bastyr University in 2005.
Historic Recognition
In 1997, the old Saint Edward Seminary building was added to the Washington State Heritage Register. This means it was recognized as an important historical place in the state. In 2006, it was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. It was officially listed on this national register in April 2007.
In 2014, plans were announced to fix up the main building. It will become a place called "The Lodge At St Edwards." The work is expected to be finished in 2020.
What's in a Name?
The correct name for the school is "Saint Edward Seminary." However, many people often called it "Saint Edward's." This might have been because it was easier to say.
Notable People Who Attended
Some well-known people who studied at Saint Edward Seminary include:
- Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen
- Mike Murphy (Washington politician)
