From history to honor — a blessed reception

Shirley Stirling

For 160 years, the St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church (SJSJ) in Olympia has followed its mission: “Loving God, Loving Neighbor, and Building Community."

In 1864, 10 years after Missionary Rev. John McCarty first held services, the parish formally incorporated — near the end of the Civil War. The church’s story is interwoven with Olympia’s early history, connected to well-known families and figures, such as Territorial/State Governor Elisha Ferry; medical pioneer Dr. Alden Hatch Steele; the Schmidt family of Olympia brewery fame; and Pacific House proprietor Rebecca Howard.

The congregation has grown and adapted with the times. Last year, its 20-year partnership with the Iglesia Episcopal de San Juan was formalized.

This year, the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum honored the church with the 2025 Gerry L. Alexander Annual Heritage Award for Outstanding Achievement — recognizing its 160-year mission and nearly 70 years of stewardship of its mid-20th-century modern sanctuary and campus. Remarkably, the church has had only three homes, having purchased its present property in 1947.

I toured this mid-century modern church in the spring, through its many rooms and hallways. The rich history is palpable, and clearly speaks National Register of Historic Places — a listing that, according to state architectural historian Michael Houser, simply awaits the people power to pursue it.

Magnificent

The sanctuary, consecrated in 1957 after a decade of construction, is airy and beautiful, seating up to 500. It was built with the notion of becoming a cathedral. Alongside it stands a 65-foot bell tower, Parish Building (1950) and the Parish Hall and Office Wing (1988)].

Stained glass

Stained glass applications appear throughout; created over the years, by various companies and techniques, some brought from their old 9th Avenue and Washington Street building.

Faceted glass by the glass master

Of special note is the extensive 1958-1964 installation by world-renowned artist Gabriel Loire. Founder of the Loire Studio in Chartres, France. The church has a number of his stained glass medallions installed throughout the sanctuary and many larger compositions in groups or multiples of three. Loire created works for churches and other venues worldwide. His art, integrated into the building’s architecture, is "Faceted Glass" — inch-thick glass hewn like gems, embedded in concrete.

Pipe organ

The church houses a world-class 3,800-pipe organ, built in Buffalo, New York, by third-generation organ builder Hermann Schlicker. This massive instrument was installed in Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle in 1967, and purchased by St. John’s in 2015. It was disassembled, transported, and reassembled.

Professional pipe builders oversaw the installation, with two months of engineering to design the chambers for the pipes and mechanics, and another two months of installation. Today, the organ anchors St. John’s annual concert series, featuring diverse programs and guest artists. Looking to the fall, one highlight not to be missed is the popular Halloween concert, with “spooky” organ music from 6-8 p.m.

Columbarium

Remarkably, the church maintains a columbarium, where the co-mingled ashes of approximately 150 members rest permanently on-site. This practice continues a historic tradition of providing sacred space for the deceased within church grounds.

Decor

The church houses antique books, graciously decorated rooms, furniture passed down from pioneer members and earlier church buildings, as well as paintings and a historic piscina in the sacristy. Alongside these treasures, there are modern, well-equipped rooms for study, small gatherings and children’s classes.

The rest of the story

The church’s needs are substantial: a new roof, seismic upgrades, installation of sprinkler and fire alarm systems, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements, stairway code compliance, and repairs for structural damage from roof leaks.

In 2021, repairs to the sanctuary alone were estimated at $3 million — a figure that has since risen. Including the rest of the campus, it likely pushes the total beyond $7 million. Such an immense investment is neither feasible for today’s congregation nor sustainable for future generations, given the limited life spans of the buildings.

Faith and service

St. John’s was among the earliest congregations in Washington Territory, and continues as a cornerstone of faith and community today. Over the years, the church has made long-term commitments to support and nurture refugees and immigrants —Cambodian families in the 1970s and Latin American families in the present day. They also assist those in need, such as the unhoused, and founded the Little Red Schoolhouse project, providing hundreds of families with school supplies.

Continuing forward

For 160 years of worship, service and community, St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church has been deeply interwoven with Olympia’s history and people. Even as it faces daunting challenges to preserve its buildings, the congregation’s enduring mission of faith, hospitality and service continues to shape lives today.

Like many congregations, it must constantly balance between maintaining facilities and supporting ministry. Yet, the call to serve — especially to serve the most marginalized among us — is their baptismal mission. Members declare that buildings may support that mission, but must never overshadow it.

For more information about SJSJ, please contact Rev. Janet Waggoner, janet@stjohnsoly.org or Rev. Jaime Case, Associate for Hispanic Ministry, jaime@stjohnsoly.org at https://stjohnsoly.org/

Captions:

1. Sanctuary medallion by Gabriel Loire, founder of the Loire Studio in Chartres, France. Photo by Shirley Stirling, August 2025.
2. The exterior of St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church in Olympia, Washington. Photo by Shirley Stirling, August 2025.
3. Sanctuary installation of Old Testament/Children’s Window grouping. Find the description of these windows and other items throughout the church in their published pamphlet, "Windows & Artifacts." Photo by Shirley Stirling, August 2025.
4. Behind the church, find official columbarium (in back) holding co-mingled ashes and (foreground) sandstone Celtic cross by Master Stone Carver Keith Phillips, Tenino, Washington. Photo by Shirley Stirling, August 2025.
5. A partial view of the East nave, showing medallions installed throughout. Photo by Lou MacMillan.
6. A view of faceted glass window at St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church. Photo by Lou MacMillan.