St. Aloysius Catholic Church at 211 West Mason Avenue in Buckley, Washington, is known for a rooted Eucharistic life: Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for every age, and a wide network of lay ministries. The Roman Catholic parish traces its beginning to Buckley's early Catholic community in 1891, raised its first church after the fire of 1892, became a parish in 1954, and continues to minister from the Mason Avenue property. Its history lives not only in buildings and Masses, but in the families, readers, altar servers, musicians, teachers, gardeners, and neighbors who have cared for it.
Mass on Mason Avenue
St. Aloysius keeps a compact weekly pattern at the church on Mason Avenue:
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. Mass
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mass
- Sunday: 11:00 a.m. Mass
Mass is also celebrated on Holy Days of Obligation. St. Aloysius belongs to Parish Family 32 with Sacred Heart in Enumclaw and St. Barbara in Black Diamond, but the times above apply to the Buckley church.
The Rosary begins 30 minutes before Mass. Confession is offered Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday's 8:30 a.m. Mass is followed by one hour of Adoration, and Confession is available from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. during that hour.
Those attending for the first time are welcome to visit before joining the parish. Greeters welcome people at the door, help with seating, provide extra seats for overflow, assist those with special needs, ring the bells, and help with the collection. The church and its bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. For people unable to attend because of infirmity, illness, or injury, trained ministers can bring Holy Communion to their homes.
St. Aloysius teaches that the Eucharist stands at the center and summit of Christian life. Its worship joins the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist as one act of worship, and the Mass proclaims Christ's death until he comes. Cantors, the choir, and musicians help the congregation participate in the Eucharistic celebration. For those who cannot attend locally, Archdiocese Sunday Mass is available through Vimeo.
From Perkins Prairie to an Independent Parish
The Catholic story in what became Buckley began when the community was known as Perkins Prairie. The Northern Pacific Railroad built its mainline through the area in 1884, a siding was called White River Siding, and the settlement became Buckley in 1889 in honor of a railroad official. The McHugh family was among the founding Catholic families, alongside the families of Charles Harkins, George Greiner, John Ottoman, and John Demise.
Mass was initially celebrated in the second-floor hall of a residence on Dundass Street belonging to the Frank DeMerse family. That building was destroyed in the fire that leveled much of Buckley in 1892. Father Charles DeDecker began visiting regularly, offering Mass on the fifth Sunday of months that had a fifth Sunday. Father John P.V. Rohlinger, then pastor at Puyallup, assumed pastoral care of Buckley's Catholics in the spring of 1891 and performed the first recorded baptism in Buckley on Mary Burley on April 19, 1891.
A deed dated November 30, 1890 records Alexander and James Wickersham, their wives, and Nannie Wickersham giving property to Bishop Aegidius Junger of Nisqually for one dollar for the purpose of building a Catholic church. Construction was underway after the fire in 1892. Mass was said in the church before its windows were installed, and a June 23 photograph shows the building and congregation standing in a cut-over field. Charles McHugh's account identifies the structure as the first and only Catholic church built in Buckley.
St. Aloysius served as a mission of All Saints Parish in Puyallup until 1910, then was attached to Sacred Heart in Enumclaw and later St. Andrew in Sumner. Father B.F. Kornke ministered until 1933, and Father Michael Rosol served until 1943. Father John Horan became the first resident pastor, with St. Barbara in Black Diamond attached as a mission. Attendance and the number of Catholic families increased, additional Masses were added in 1957, and the church was erected as a parish in 1954. Father Paul Byrne served during the late 1950s.
Father Charles Crosse arrived during a period of growth and recognized the need for larger facilities. A fundraising effort in the fall of 1963 brought in about $30,000. Construction of the parish hall and CCD Center was completed in March 1966 at a cost of $84,000. The center supported religious education classes and gave the parish and community a place to gather, and a diamond jubilee was observed that year. Father Jim Boyle served from 1972 to 1976. During his final year, he became the first full-time chaplain at Rainier School when that ministry was separated from St. Aloysius.
Father Hervey L. Vanasse was assigned in 1976 and worked with the Knights of Columbus and parishioners on several major projects. He died on April 14, 2001, after 25 years in the priesthood, mostly spent in Buckley and Wilkeson. In 2017, St. Aloysius marked 125 years of religious service to Buckley and its surrounding area.
Moving the Church, Growing the Ministry
On October 21, 1982, the church building was moved from the corner of Mason and Naches Streets two blocks to ground beside the parish hall. The move followed a statewide fundraising campaign by the Knights of Columbus. The building's history and the grounds surrounding it reflect the parish's willingness to make room for worship, education, recreation, and service.
Work on the grounds included clearing the land and installing a baseball field and picnic grounds. A parish office was added in 1983, and a new pastor's residence was built in 1985. The steeple was restored to the church tower after many years away. An outdoor area for Mass was developed around a large raised cross, and Stations of the Cross were placed on the church grounds, painted by parishioner Cliff Woods.
The parish hall was renovated from 1989 to 1990 with a new gabled roof, three classrooms, and a workshop. The $35,000 project was supported by more than $14,000 raised by parishioners of both churches, with the balance coming from savings. The added classroom space could accommodate more than 120 CCD students, and a Pastoral Council was established to assist the pastor with administration. Our Lady of Lourdes in Wilkeson was officially closed in 2017 and absorbed into St. Aloysius.
Formation from Kindergarten Through RCIA
Faith formation at St. Aloysius covers all age groups from kindergarten through adult education. Children begin in the elementary and middle school program, continue through high school and Confirmation preparation, and can also take part in the parish youth group. Adults have opportunities throughout the year to refresh their faith and deepen their understanding of God.
The elementary and middle school ministry begins with preschoolers and finishes with seventh graders. It prepares children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. From September through May, baptized children from both parish communities are encouraged to participate in one weekly class, except during school breaks.
High school catechesis prepares eighth through twelfth graders for Confirmation, with weekly classroom instruction from September through May except during school breaks. The Youth Ministry includes young people in grades eight through twelve and meets weekly for fellowship, religious education, and planning community involvement, retreats, and other activities.
Adult Faith Formation provides opportunities to grow in faith and renew understanding. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is for people who are unbaptized or baptized in another faith tradition and are preparing to enter the Catholic Church. Inquiry classes begin in September, and the RCIA Sponsor Team accompanies participants throughout the year.
The parish prepares people for and celebrates Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Annulments, Anointing of the Sick, Funerals, and Christian Burial. Baptism preparation classes are offered for parish families. An intention to marry must be received at least six months before the wedding, beginning with a date set with the pastor.
Catholic parents are regarded as the primary educators of their children, and St. Aloysius offers books, podcasts, videos, family resources, and online study materials for that work. Parish members also have access to an online collection of Catholic talks, films, e-books, video studies, and children's programming through a parish subscription.
Serving at the Altar and Around the Church
The worship ministries make it possible for many people to participate in the Eucharistic celebration, whether in a public role or behind the scenes. Each ministry has training or preparation for its responsibilities.
- Altar servers: Children who have received First Communion may serve after training by a priest. They assist at weekday, weekend, funeral, and Holy Day Masses.
- Greeters and ushers: These volunteers welcome arrivals, assist with seating and special needs, ring the bells, and help with the collection.
- Cantor, choir, and music accompanist: The music ministry uses the gifts of singers and instrumental musicians to bring the congregation closer to Christ through worship.
- Eucharistic ministers: With training, they assist with distributing the Blessed wine at Saturday evening and Sunday Masses and Holy Days. Some also serve in the Home-bound Eucharistic Ministry.
- Sacristans: They prepare the altar, bread, wine, chalices, sacred vessels, vestments, and ritual books, and care for the arrangements used in the liturgy.
- Lectors: They proclaim the Scripture readings other than the Gospel, announce intentions for the general intercessions, and may read the responsorial Psalm.
- Adoration ministers: People who wish to help facilitate a 12-hour or 24-hour adoration ministry may volunteer, while the regular Tuesday Adoration remains open to everyone.
The Hospitality Ministry welcomes people after the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Volunteers take turns setting up, serving, and cleaning up donuts, juice, and coffee. The same ministry shares responsibility for the New Parishioners Welcome program and other parish hospitality efforts.
Three councils help shape parish life. The Pastoral Council meets monthly on the first Thursday to assist with parish priorities and strategic planning. The Finance Council meets quarterly on the fourth Friday to review financial policies, practices, and procedures. The Stewardship Committee meets monthly on the last Thursday and promotes the giving of time, talent, and treasure throughout the parish.
Grounds, Garden, and the Work of Care
The buildings and extensive grounds of St. Aloysius are cared for through many practical ministries. These groups welcome people with different skills and make it possible for the parish to remain a well-maintained setting for worship and community life.
- Church Cleaning, the Heavenly Dusters: Teams vacuum, dust, and clean the church once a week for one month of each year.
- Altar Linens: This ministry washes, irons, repairs, and stitches the linens used at the altar.
- Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance: Volunteers assist with woodwork, electrical problems, plumbing, kneelers, light fixtures, and other practical needs around the church, rectory, hall, and grotto.
- Yard work: Mowing, raking, pruning, weeding, and hauling debris help maintain the grounds throughout the year.
- Garden Club: The club meets monthly for planning and cleanup when the weather permits. Its principal gardens are the Grotto, Gethsemane Garden, and Calvary Hill.
- Cemetery Ministry: This group cares for Wilkeson Cemetery, keeping the grounds reverent for those buried there and for the people who visit them.
Dedicated volunteers have kept the parish facilities in good condition despite their age. Because St. Aloysius is more than a century old, maintenance remains an active and valued part of parish life, with carpentry, electrical, plumbing, cleaning, altar linen, yard, and garden work all contributing to the care of the property.
Men, Women, Prayer, and Family Life
The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide lay Catholic organization that promotes Church, Community, Family, Youth, and Council life. St. Aloysius has a chapter for Catholic men age 18 and older that meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Its members have played an important role in projects ranging from the church move to improvements in the parish hall and grounds.
The St. Aloysius Altar Society is open to women of the parish. Its members care for altar supplies and church furnishings, meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m., and share in fellowship while discussing projects and parish events.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry draws on the interdenominational parish nurse movement and provides knitted or crocheted shawls for people experiencing mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional crisis. The group meets on the last Thursday of every month at 11:00 a.m. and welcomes people who want to learn knitting or crochet.
Natural Family Planning instruction is available through a certified Fertility Care Practitioner using the Creighton Model and NaPro Technology. Free introductory sessions can be arranged for individuals or groups, with individualized follow-up appointments available. Instruction can take place in person or through distance learning, and the approach supports women's health and fertility while encouraging collaboration with physicians.
Parish Stewardship is presented as a way of life, not simply a financial transaction. The parish connects the offering of time, talent, and treasure with the common good and supports its worship ministries, formation, facilities, and service. Parish stewardship provides ordinary income for the local parish, while the Annual Catholic Appeal supports ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Care Beyond the Church Grounds
St. Aloysius connects its parish life with the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whose nearby contact is Ss. Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church in Orting. The Society is a lay Catholic organization whose service includes person-to-person assistance, visits and assistance for elderly, sick, and disabled people, disaster relief, thrift stores, food pantries, dining halls, housing and shelter assistance, job help, youth programs, and visits to people who are institutionalized or incarcerated. Its work seeks to relieve immediate needs while addressing the causes of poverty and suffering.
The parish also presents the regional winter shelter effort, coordinated by Plateau Outreach Ministries and supported by many churches in Enumclaw and Buckley. From December through February, people who need shelter are welcomed at one of seven host churches. Each participating church provides dinner, interaction, a safe place to sleep, and a small breakfast before participants return to Plateau Outreach Ministries in the morning. Police, fire, and youth and family services also support the program.
The Home-bound Eucharistic Ministry brings Holy Communion to people who cannot attend Mass because of infirmity, illness, or injury. The public prayer ministry also includes participation in 40 Days for Life and an hour of prayer for the legal protection of the unborn. These efforts join prayer with service and advocacy in defense of human life.
Stewardship, hospitality, home visits, and assistance through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are all expressions of the parish's aim of bringing the love of God into daily life. The parish has also historically supported the Rainier School ministry and maintained a cemetery ministry in Wilkeson, reflecting its long connection with people and families beyond the church door.
Aloysius Gonzaga and the Parish's Call to Mercy
The parish's patron is Aloysius Gonzaga, an Italian aristocrat who joined the Society of Jesus. Born in 1568, he was known for a life of innocence, piety, and sacrifice. While caring for victims of an epidemic in Rome, he contracted the illness that caused his death at age 23. He was beatified in 1605 and canonized in 1726. He is honored as a patron of young people, students, plague victims, and caregivers. His attributes include a lily for innocence, a cross for piety and sacrifice, a skull for his early death, and a rosary for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His feast day is June 21.
St. Aloysius also emphasizes the Divine Mercy message in a simple three-part form: ask for God's mercy, be merciful, and completely trust in Jesus. The message begins with God's love for everyone and the belief that his mercy is greater than sin. Repentance and prayer make it possible to receive that mercy, while receiving it leads to love, forgiveness, and mercy flowing toward others.
The parish names two central aims for its mission: reaching individual people with the love of God revealed in Jesus and helping the kingdoms of this earth more closely resemble the Kingdom of God. It also names unity and service as marks of a vital parish, describing the congregation as one family in which every person has a ministry and a gift to contribute.
Becoming Part of the Buckley Community
St. Aloysius welcomes people who are new to Buckley, curious about Catholic faith, or already attending regularly. Full and partial registration can be completed through online registration. A registration form can also be requested from the parish office or completed from the forms in the church vestibule.
The office at 211 West Mason Avenue is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Its telephone number is 360-829-6515. Registration supports better pastoral care and administration of sick calls, as well as matters involving Baptism, education, marriage, burial, and sponsors for Confirmation. People who are not ready to become members may continue visiting, meeting other parishioners, and taking part in parish activities.
At 211 West Mason Avenue, St. Aloysius Catholic Church continues the work begun by Buckley's early Catholic families: welcoming people to the Eucharist, forming disciples from childhood through adulthood, caring for a historic church and its grounds, and extending that care to neighbors across the Plateau.