As part of our Jubilee 2025, we're nearby Algona doing my event, we wanted to visit St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Today is also my mother's memorial, and what a fitting to attend church, the same St. James where I used to attend in my childhood years. I thought it was a beautiful church, the minute I entered. The usher who helped me find more candles, so I can light one in my mom's memorial was very helpful. We were able to park at the school parking lot, across the street. They have several clean restrooms! I took many photos and videos! I'd like to come back! read more

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It was a few years ago when we were by St. James Cathedral and the peek we did was just that a peek. There was about to be a service held here and so we decided not to go in but we were intrigued and wanted to look around in the inside, admire tge architecture and art. This December we finally got the opportunity to return as a Medieval Women's Choir was performing here. Steve was eager to go and so we seized that opportunity and went to take a look inside and to enjoy the choir. The choir was very enjoyable and lasted about an hour so it wasn't too lengthy. The Cathedral was beautiful also. But on a comparative aspect is a bit more plain to the last Catholic venues I visited which was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But despite that it is a beautiful place and should the opportunity arise one should go in to admire the architecture for those that aren't Catholic or particularly religious. read more

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Visiting St. James Cathedral was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Seattle. On the last day of my trip, I purposely booked a late afternoon flight so that I could attend the 10AM Sunday Mass. My husband and I arrived early to take pictures and explore the cathedral. While we were standing outside the front doors, Lee (volunteer) stepped out and began explaining the intricate details of the bronze sculptures on the doors. He shared how the left side depicts scenes from Old Testament and the right side portrays scenes from the New Testament. To our delight, Lee ended up giving us a private tour around the entire church! Highlights of the tour included: * a painting dating back to 1465 (in the chapel) * Two archbishops interred near the altar, with a viewing window and inscriptions etched in the marble * sealed relics of saints on the altar, including St. Frances Cabrini * A beautiful shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary * Tons of stunning artwork displayed everywhere! The Mass itself was absolutely beautiful! The cathedral features a full choir and a traditional pipe organ, which is prominently displayed on one of the walls. Father Ryan, who has served as the Cathedral Pastor since 1988, delivered an incredibly moving and passionate homily. To our surprise and honor, we were invited to participate in the Mass by carrying the gifts (bread and wine) down the aisle to the priest. The church was packed with parishioners, and we felt so humbled and grateful to be part of such a special moment. Whether you're Catholic or an admirer of history and architecture, I highly recommend visiting St. James Cathedral. Everyone we encountered was incredibly kind and welcoming, making the experience even more memorable! read more

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For someone who is not religious, it may seem odd writing a review for a church. However, I have great respect for the art and architecture many cathedrals and places of worship possess. St. James is THE cathedral of Seattle. It is stunning inside, particularly this time of year at Christmas, or Easter. They deck the halls to the max. Anyone is welcome. Side doors may be locked due to recent vandalism and hours are usually just during daytime hours. read more

St James Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Such an affirming and welcoming cathedral. I recommend the OCIA program if you are looking to convert to Catholicism. read more

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We were thankful for the opportunity to attend Mass there. Easy to walk to from the Downtown area. We also toured there during the middle of the week and we appreciated the very nice staff. They have a great little bookstore just outside the side of the church, one of the better Catholic bookstores we've been to. read more

Lovely, peaceful mass with incense that day and wonderful bells at the start. Will be coming back! read more

St James Cathedral - Second week of Advent! - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The Cathedral is absolutely stunning. While visiting Seattle, we were privileged to see the Cathedral during its weekly 1pm Wednesday tour. Our tour guide had a wealth of information about the history of Saint James' Parish, the Cathedral's Architecture, the redesign after Vatican II, and all the saints depicted through the church. If you are looking for a very informative, beautiful and peaceful way to spend time on a Wednesday afternoon, I highly suggest touring the Cathedral. Even if you are in the area when no tour is offered, during the day, the Cathedral is open to those looking to visit and pray. It's definitely worth stopping to visit the house of God. read more

St James Cathedral - Our Lady of Seattle - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Beautiful and amazing church. The layout is a bit different from traditional churches. The choir and organist really help uplift the spirit. Father Michael was so friendly and welcoming even for outsiders visiting. read more

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Been going to this church for many years, and always love the service and there is always something to reflect on. Lovely artwork all around the church, great inclusion of all ages for the ministry, one of the best priests out there, and wonderful soup kitchen. The cathedral is the best place to be for Catholics in Seattle. read more

St. James Cathedral is an artistically gorgeous edifice that houses a welcoming and open community of believers, and it deserves a visit, no matter what your faith or personal beliefs. I think this is the most beautiful sacred building on the West Coast, and I'm not even Catholic. The structure is truly stunning and worth a trip just for its dazzling aesthetics alone. The architecture can be appreciated either while driving by or walking past, and it's especially impressive at night when lit with massive floodlights, making it look both like a sentinel and a beacon. Outside, two soaring bell towers reach into the sky like uplifted arms while a set of massive bronze double-doors depicting bas-relief scenes from the Bible open up to greet visitors who ascend the west steps. This church looks and feels like any you would find in Europe, yet it fits naturally into the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Once inside, you'll be astonished to discover a giant oculus piercing the the junction of two huge romanesque vaults, allowing sunlight to pour down upon the altar at the center of the church. The stained glass art is spectacular, the statuary and icons are extraordinary, and the interior definitely makes a memorable first impression. If you stay for a Mass, expect magnificently uplifting music, especially when the choir and organ are combined to full effect. The rich smell of frankincense wafting to the heavens helps the mind focus on mercy and goodwill. Even non-believers can find quiet respite from the cares of the world within the art and music of this exquisite temple. Palm Sunday (my favorite), Maundy Thursday, Easter, and Christmas services are all extremely moving highlights, and the Tre Ore service on Good Friday is unforgettable, but The Feast Day of Saint James is the most unique of the "ordinary" Masses, and shouldn't be missed, in my opinion. When the sacristans bring out the giant puppet of Saint James, I am transported back to medieval times while the congregation sings "angelorum, in curia" in Latin to the accompaniment of tambourines. If you are in Seattle in July, don't miss The Feast Day of St. James. The picnic that follows in the street between the church and O'Dea High School's gymnasium is also great fun for all ages. As for the message, Father Ryan always has interesting, thought-provoking homilies that offer practical advice for people of any faith. The parishioners are friendly, warm, and approachable, as you'll discover if you ever go for a cup of coffee or juice in the church hall after Mass on Sunday. Check out the Cathedral Bookstore for a great selection of art and devotional items. Pick up a copy of "Journey Of Faith," which tells the history of the church in Western Washington in the format of a large full-color graphic-novel type publication. It makes for a nice holiday gift or Northwest souvenir. Besides being an awe-inspiring place of beauty, St. James also serves its community's needs. The church offers help to people who are challenged with mental illness, poverty, addiction, and a host of other earthly problems. The outreach to the local neighborhood is impressive and varied in its scope. This is a church that really does give help to those who are lacking, and it practices what it preaches. St. James also provides an authentic location of social connection for young people and college students, and it extends an opportunity to the rest of us to to join together and be generous by giving time to volunteer to help others. The Cathedral garden that supplies produce for the soup kitchen is just a block away and is always looking for helpers. Go visit this wonderful place and prepare to be affected in a way unexpected. This church is a spot where anyone would feel at home, hence, its unofficial motto: "At St. James, here comes everybody!" read more

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I first came to St. James Cathedral on my Rite of Continuing Conversion. The ceremony was special, beautiful, and smooth. The choir was so wonderful, and Archbishop Sartain spoke a meaningful homily. The reason why I didn't give the cathedral 5-star is because a few months ago, I took my fiance here to attend a weekday mass. Unfortunately, we could not hear ANYTHING that took place during mass. We didn't get to hear the responsorial psalm and the priest's homily. I think this had to do with the fact that there was something wrong with the speaker system on that day? All my fiance and I heard was echoing sound from the microphone. We will try to come back to the cathedral again in the near future, and we will believe that the issue would be resolved by then. read more

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beautiful mass. Super friendly staff and congregation. The Mother's chapel is sooooo beautiful

Beautiful!!! My favorite masses are held here!! Christmas mass being the biggest and the best! Imagine thousands of people!! Lined up all the way to the street!! I've stood for the entire masses in the hallway, without even entering the church! Worth it! Candle light vigils, Easter mass, prayers! Baptisms!! All so wonderful here!! Love to call this place my church!! You can come in for tours daily too! They have classes!! Daily prayers! Amazing priests!! Love!!! read more

St James Cathedral - Christmas Eve mass!!!! Buon natale a tutti! - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My visit was enriched while attending Sat. Eve mass that they call a vigil. The music was beautiful along with the readings. You can see this is a vibrant community reaching out to Seattle. I returned on Palm Sunday for the 10:00am mass. The music was unbelievable along with the men's choir preforming Gregorian chanting. It was an extraordinary experience! read more

St James Cathedral - Connecting into a Spiritual Place. - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This might be the most impressive church I've been to for Mass. Wow. Historic. Huge. Really impressive. Like what would be used for a church in a movie. It's also walkable from the downtown area, which was key to a tourist like me. It was a nice little walk uphill to a cute and old little part of town. The minor key chanting was cool, the choir really good, and (most importantly) from the one service I attended the church seemed more on the progressive side and was very welcoming. When I arrived (a little late), an usher offered to take me to a seat. I took his offer and he seated me right behind a pillar. I sat down and then got up 2 minutes later to find my own seat. It was a little awkward as I passed him, like "Good job, dickwad, on the seating assignment." So, yeah, don't get stuck behind a pillar. read more

The best of the best as far as churches go. Absolutely, the Greco-Roman architecture of the cathedral is awe-inspiring. But what is more inspiring is the spirtual community of St. James, led by Father Michael Ryan. Despite the less-than-inclusive-less-than-tolerant message preached by Joe Ratzinger (a.k.a. Pope Benedict) and some other prominent Catholics, St. James is welcoming to all, including visitors. For those of you interested in learning more about becoming Catholic, the RCIA program at St. James is an incredible spiritual journey. St. James Cathedral truly is a holy place. read more

You'll be amazed to see the building when you see it. The church has a historic, peaceful, and calming feel to it. You do have to walk up some stairs to get into the church. Inside the church hallway has a post where you can read up on the its miraculous history. When you get inside to the pews, you'll be more amazed. The interior has poinsettias and golden strips dangling from the ceiling of the altar. Dimmed lights are befitting for having intimate, silent prayers with the Almighty. read more

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Grateful to have been able to attend the vigil mass while in Seattle from out of town. The service was beautiful and the priest was very welcoming to visitors. Something unique about this cathedral is that mass is celebrated from the center of the church with parishioners sitting on all four sides of the altar. read more

A beautiful place to celebrate Mass on Sundays, but for non-Catholics you can tour the facility and learn it's history. A portion of the cathedral fell during an earthquake, and the pillars from that original part are standing along one wall. A new shrine to Pope John Paul II is along one wall. It's a beautiful cathedral! I attended Mass here & it was an experience. The readings & homily are delivered w/ their back to the congregation. Come by for a visit, a tour or to pray. The choir is great and the service is very traditional. Make this a stop on your visit to Seattle. It rivals many European Cathedrals.x read more

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Absolutely beautiful serene cathedral that played an important role in Seattle history! Designated as the city landmark, St. James Cathedral was constructed in 1903 and was formerly Seattle's tallest building. After the fall of its dome, the roof was reconstructed to have a skylight above the central altar, which created a majestic lighting upon the altar that seems to signify the Almighty's grace upon this house of worship. The cathedral interior also has many beautiful stained glasses that describe the Ten Commandments and the life of Jesus and the serenely-lit shrine dedicated to the Virgin. We visited here as a family and was greeted by Corinna, a friendly church staff who gave us a wonderful and informative tour around the cathedral! Consider contacting her about a tour beforehand if you want to learn more about the cathedral, but even if you do come alone, this cathedral is definitely a wonderful sight that differs from the typical city sights in downtown and should not be missed! *Parking is available in the high school lot behind the cathedral read more

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A great place to get your Spirituals side on! Very nice updated Cathedral. We are very lucky to have a such a nice Cathedral to attend Sunday Mass! Father Michael Ryan is a wonderful man and God's servant. read more

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An absolutely amazing and beautiful cathedral. I was blessed to be able to attend mass here and I hope one day to be back.

Oh, St James. This is my family's parish, and Mr Betsey S and I got married here. It is a wonderful parish where you get the feeling that everyone actually wants to be at mass (I have been to some churches - who shall remain nameless - where it felt like an obligation)... maybe it is because of the beautiful interior, or the diversity of the people sitting around you, or how welcoming it is, or the great work the parish does for the community. Whatever it is, even when I am feeling less than prayerful, spending an hour or so at the cathedral is always a centering, joyful experience. I grew up in Redmond, and after I moved back to Seattle after college, I joined the parish at St James. My family soon followed after seeing what a friendly, open, and beautiful place it is, in its people and in its building. If you plan on getting married at St James, you are in great hands. The wedding planners, Linda and Bev, are first class. We attended, with much skepticism, marriage preparation classes at St James and found them to be a great surprise, helpful, relevant and inspiring. Father Ryan is a wonderful spiritual leader and has a way of explaining troubling times and issues that is very reassuring and hopeful. read more

Although there are so many Catholic Churches near my house, I always prefer to go to St. James Cathedral. The architecture is beautiful and the church itself is very clean inside and out. Also, I like how the church provides ample parking for everyone. I find the homily here more inspirational than other churches, as I never feel bored nor about to fall asleep. People are friendly and always rolling in late as well, so I don't feel too much like a heathen for coming late read more

I'd give a 0 star if I could. Had a dealing with gentleman 'Larry Brouse' and the experience was horrible. Simply asked him a few questions regarding church and fellowships, he was very inpatient and gave us the attitude of 'I AM ABOVE EVERYONE'. he even went as far as asking 'HOW MUCH DONATION ARE YOU LOOKING TO PUT IN'? UNBELIEVABLE! DO NOT COME HERE!!! read more

Beautiful. Great Acoustics for Early Music Guild concert. Sat in discounted seats in the choir loft which provides great views and is better than the floor seating but a lot cheaper! read more

I don't know how you can really rate a place of worship but ST. James is THE Catholic Church to go to. I love the architecture, the beautiful stained glass and all the unique and beautiful statues. The community is warm and welcoming. There are people who are less fortunate seeking shelter and peace. There are many services offered here as well, you can find out more on their website. I have not been here for holiday worships like Christmas or Easter but I know it gets packed and the services are just beautiful. I love coming here to pray. Brings me peace and helps me practice my faith. read more

Gorgeous. Went to Midnight Mass for Christmas and learned a few things: *arrive really early. At 10pm seating was full. *get the handout and pay attention to it: all the words to songs are there. *pews have a pull-out kneeling bar. Maybe all Catholic churches have this (this is the only Catholic church I've been to). *at one point, decorative stars cascade from the ceiling (Christmas service) *when you're supposed to greet someone with the sign of peace, shake their hand. I hugged someone instead. Heck. *don't expect to slap after or during songs or dance to the music. That doesn't happen here and if you do, you'll be the only one. *the incense smells amazing, like oranges and spice. Go next year! read more

My girlfriend and I were in town and found this cathedral to attend on Sunday. It was such a great choice to pick this one out of all the available Catholic Churches in town. Cathedral: Just an absolutely beautiful Cathedral! The amount of detail was beautiful. There were many rooms in the building that were very unique that I had never seen before. Service/Mass: The priest was very warm to outside visitors. The mass itself was great. The Deacon was there and talking about a recent trip to the Vatican. Overall: A fantastic place to visit if your in town or place to be a patron of. read more

NICELY DECORATED! Where did you get that stuff? Ya...they have a fairly good choir that sings along with the biggest pipe organ in the NW. I have been to a number of cathedrals and basillicas around, and this is as good as any of them. It all works! If you've never been to see it, I highly recommend that you go just to see it. read more

This place is amazing! I've been here a few times for mass and can say it's one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've seen in the United States. It has delicate details throughout and is nicely decorated around Christmas and Easter. St. James hold a huge capacity so be sure to get there early to get a parking sort and try to get a seat towards the front of the church so you can hear better. To top things off, the choir is amazing and definitely adds to the experience. read more

An amazing place. In every way. From the leadership, to the community, right down to the many ministries that operate through it. Of course on an aesthetic level, it's pretty amazing too...but I feel as though it takes all of those things combined, to really set it apart from others around the country & world. If you are visiting, or are looking for a church to visit..by all means, come here. You will be greeted with open arms and will surely experience God's presence in this Cathedral. Oh, and did you know that there's a bookstore located in the courtyard? There is! Check it out...there's so many unique and great gifts/books/cards/sacramentals inside. They're open 11am-3pm on weekdays, and also after Mass on weekends. read more

This cathedral is breathtaking. I have gone to weddings here, mass here, my friends confirmation here... and everytime I am blown away by the beauty of this church. I have been to cathedrals in Spain, and this is on par with what they are like. When I heard Ave Maria being sung in this cathedral at a friends wedding.... it was so beautiful, I cried. read more

This is a stunning cathedral, and an extraordinary place to visit. Their community is diverse and quite active, with tons of extracurricular community projects and excellent participation in the weekly services. As a NY native who's been transplanted to Seattle, it's as close to St. Pat's as they come, though the feeling is much more intimate at St. James, since there's a much larger parishioner base that attends on a regular basis. It's a terrific place to bring your out-of-town Catholic visitors to attend mass. Recently, my uncle and some friends from NY (all Catholic priests!) visited, and they were overwhelmed by the cathedral, the service and the parishioner participation. And they're a tough group to impress! read more

Just have to chime in here and give props to this beautiful christian house of worship. It's simply a gorgeous building. You enter through immense bronze doors into a cool, elegant, opulent faux Renaissance interior. Pale stone columns soar to a gilt coffered ceiling. When it's sunny, the inlaid marble floor is spangled with viridian and scarlet, lapis and cerise from the lofty stained glassed windows. And this elegant, European-style structure is filled with hopeful people sitting peacefully together - singing together, shaking hands on cue, rising and kneeling in cadence. So peaceful. So lovely. Racially mixed congregation - love that! Fantastic organ! Wonderful choir! read more

St James Cathedral is a community of prayer. My dad used to be an usher here. This is the closest church in my work . Beautiful and solemn church. read more

St James Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My visit from Phoenix,AZ was completed with Sunday Mass at this beautiful Cathedral. The priest greets you at the entrance. The beginning procession made me feel in heaven (30 people wearing white before the priest).. The organ was played beautifully. The deacon gave a wonderful sermon. All concluded with an amazing organ song and many pilgrims taking pictures. There was a hospitality and a shop. A piece of heaven in Emerald Seattle. read more

This cathedral from a photographers point of view is pretty amazing. The combination of a beautiful bride, wedding party and flowers only add to the great photos that this venue allows for. The staff were super helpful, which can be challenging for photographers in such a setting. I'm looking forward to shooting here again! read more

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Housed in a splendid century-old neo-Italian Renaissance building (think of Florence; the interior is reminiscent of Il Gesu in Rome, without the dome) perched on the top of First Hill, St. James Cathedral, the Roman Catholic diocese of Seattle, is one of the most prominent reminders of Seattle's history. Its twin campanile-style towers can be seen from afar, towering over the horizon. Inside the cathedral, the gilt coffered ceiling, Corinthian columns and pilasters, barrel vaults, inlaid tiles, stained glass windows, and wood, marble, or limestone religious sculptures are quite beautiful. Link: http://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Tour/welcomeframe.htm You don't have to be Catholic (I'm not) to partake in its lofty spiritual dimensions or enjoy its imposing, ornate physical ones. It offers a full season of concerts and recitals--liturgical and chamber music--throughout the year, including Christmas and New Year's. Its forms a triumvirate of civic and cultural pride on First Hill, along with Town Hill and the Frye Art Museum, both just a few blocks away. (And a bit further away, on the campus of Seattle University, is the Chapel of St. Ignatius--architecturally the opposite: intimate, modernist). read more