OLQH Church History
The Early Days
Spanaway is the English version of the Indian name “Spannuch.” The name is given to a lake, a park, and a town situated south of Tacoma in Pierce County. The town of Spanaway is one of the earliest settlements in Pierce County. Its surrounding area was agriculturally developed first by the Hudson Bay Company in 1849. In fact, Spanaway was first known as Lake Park, and the name changed to Spanaway in 1896.
Lake Park Catholic Community was first served from the Puyallup church in 1893-94 by Fr. J. Rohlinger who had come from an eastern diocese. In the beginning there were approximately eight Catholic families and Masses were held in the homes. The first mission church was built in 1893 on the northwest corner of 168th and Pacific Avenue by the men of the parish, mostly with donation of time, work, and materials. In 1895 Fr. H. Frenken served the mission church, and at that time the Lake Park area was still a wilderness. When Fr. Mark Weichmann, O.S.B. took over in 1896, the church interior was not yet finished.
After 1896, the Spanaway mission church came under the care of the Benedictine priests of St. Martin’s Abbey at Lacey, and the mission was called St. Benedict’s. this church building was destroyed by fire. Subsequently, St. Benedict’s Mission was rebuilt on the same property under the supervision of Fr. Charles Lighthouse, O.S.B.
Early Marymount Connection
Beginning on January 1, 1939, St. Benedict’s parish was served by the chaplains of Marymount Military Academy. The first priest chaplain was Fr. James Toner, a diocesan priest assigned to serve St. Benedict’s while teaching at Marymount.
Attendance grew at St. Benedict’s which had five pews, and then milk stools made out of apple boxes for a total of 60 seats. The priest heard confession before Mass. Fr. Toner was the first priest to hold Mass every Sunday.
In addition to weekly Masses, there were catechism classes. Marymount nun, Sr. Ambrosia, OP taught the young children, preparing them for First Confession and First Communion while Fr. Toner instructed the Confirmation class. Members of the scheduled ceremonies of a neighboring parish. There were numerous weddings and baptisms celebrated at the little mission church.
Harold Smithlin was the volunteer “handyman.” For years, he opened the church and the protective shutters, built the fire in the old stove near the sanctuary, and provided transportation for Fr. Toner. The women of the parish took turns washing and ironing the linens for Mass and decorating the church. There was quite a rivalry to see who could make the nicest flower arrangements for Our Lady. From the earliest days it was a wonderful parish and parishioners enjoyed each other’s company.
Fr. Edmond Barry was the second priest to serve at St. Benedict’s, coming in 1946. A good Irishman, he enjoyed the parishioners and his work, and served as chaplain at Marymount.
Fr. William Greier (1950-1974)
Fr. Greier came in early 1950 as the first resident pastor and he started plans for a new church. Feeling he must get the community’s support, he sent out invitations to 1,248 residents in the area to come to the Parish Mission. This mission was designated by Bishop Thomas Connolly and held at Marymount Chapel because the St. Benedict’s Church was too small, and had no electricity. The Mission conducted by Fr. Lawrence Banfield, O.P. in March 1950 was a huge success.
On April 3, 1950 Mother Edwardine, O.P., Superior General of the Dominican sisters, with their Motherhouse at Marymount, offered Fr. Greier and St. Benedict’s parish ten acres of land close to Pacific Avenue for a church. After receiving permission from Archbishop Connolly, the parish purchased the land for $5,250.
The Altar Society with seventeen Founding Members was formed in May 1950 at the home of Mrs. Harry Harrigan, the First President. Bake sales, bingo games, and card parties were held to help fill the church coffers and to provide an opportunity for associating with friends and neighbors.
There was even a well-attended dance at the elk Plain Grange Hall with live music! The parish was abuzz with activity in anticipation of a new church.
St. Benedict’s Outgrown
In June 1950, Fr. Greier received permission from Archbishop Connollly to say Sunday Mass at Marymount Gymnasium as the St. Benedict’s church could no longer hold the congregation. Religious education for grade school children and high school youth was offered on Saturdays at Marymount. The first Summer Vacation School was held in June 1950 with Sr. M. Charles and Sr. M. Anthony teaching. Twenty-nine students were present each day. After the move to Marymount, St. Benedict’s church was dismantled and moved to our present site. But, during the years the lumber deteriorated so that the church could not be reconstructed as originally planned.
The New Church Building
In May 1954, Archbishop Connolly authorized Fr. Greier to proceed with plans for a new church, rectory, and hall for Our Lady Queen of Heaven. Eddie Mills was selected as the architect. In 1955, the Cotton Brothers logged the land, and the Karamon Brothers cleared the property for the new church. The actual building was erected by Kirkebo Contractors. Harry Sprinker, who was then County Commissioner, provided the access road and counry machinery to level the ground after the stumps had been removed. When the complex was completed, the church and rectory (present Office Building), and hall had cost a total of $230,000. The financing was provided by the Archdiocese, and the Bank of Washington. Our lady Queen of Heaven was dedicated on November 4, 1956.
Religious Education Efforts
During the early 1960’s (before the education building was erected), religious education classes were held in the parish hall with the use of dividers. WE also had classes in the church proper, the sacristy, and the choir loft. Classes for special students were held in the rectory. We had a total of 18 teachers on Saturdays for K-8, and 5 teachers on Monday nights for grades 9-12. Most of our teachers had Certification from the Archdiocese. On Saturdays, classes were preceded by a Children’s Mass with special training in Music. On Mondays, Fr. Greier spoke to all the teenagers 15-20 minutes before classes. In 1968-69, for the convenience of families living in the Graham area, classes were held at the Benston Grange on the Kapowsin Highway with 45 children, K-6, attending regularly. Fr. Greier was very pleased with the dedication of the parents and children.
Because of the inadequate facilities for religious education, a separate building was added to the complex in 1971, designed by Fr. Greier and Camimir Karamon, our devote custodian for 30 years. After the April 1972 dedication of the Kateri Tekawitha statue, donated by the Righetti family, this building became known as the Kateri Center. This was a great addition to the parish and served well the needs of nearly 400 children. Betty Zumbuhl was Director of Religious Education at that time as well as Secretary, Bookkeeper and housekeeper for Fr. Greier.
Post-Vatican Council II
After Vatican Council II (1962-65), new areas of church life took shape at Our Lady Queen of Heaven the Parish Council was formed in 1971 to coordinate parish activities and to assist the pastor in planning for the needs of the parish. Bud Daheim was the first President. The liturgical ministries of the deacon, lector, and Eucharistic ministers became part of church life.
Parish Life
Knights of Columbus chartered a Spanaway Council in 1972 with Bob Hagen serving as the first Grand Knight. In 1981, Joe Martin and the Knights established an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the elderly of the parish and the residents of the Old Soldiers Home.
Through the years, the Parish had the Dunamis Bible Fellowship, the Rex program, the Ladies' Club, CYO, the Senior Adults Committee, and many other groups. There were many dinners, bake sales, and Bingo Nights to help pay off the debt.
During Fr. Greier’s 24 years as pastor, he was respected and loved by those who knew him. It was with a heavy heart that the parish said “goodbye” to him as he retired in 1974 and returned to his home parish in Hausen, Bavaria. He left the parish financially free of debt with $50,000 in the parish account.
Pastors and Leadership
Fr. Ed Kearney
(1974 -1982)
Coming from St. Joe’s in Vancouver, Fr. Kearney became our second pastor. Born in Ireland, he studied for priesthood there, bringing his Irish brogue and sense of humor to the people of his archdiocese. During his time, the men of the parish under the leadership of Cas Karamon, with the dedicated assistance of Chuck Harkins, and Joe Biever began construction of the workshop/storage building next to the Kateri Center. All of the work was done by volunteers and became a real tribute to the generosity of parishioners. Also under the approval of Fr. Kearney and the Parish Council, plans were made to remodel various areas of the Parish Hall. J.R. Rogers was in charge and the kitchen and pantry areas were remodeled with new countertops, blinds, and floor coverings throughout the hall—all for a cost of $86,000,
Fr. Jack Walmesley
(1982-1984)
Coming from All Saints in Puyallup, Fr. Jack became our third pastor. He brought many changes. The most notable was hiring of Sr. Carol Wagner, SNJM, as Pastoral Associate. She brought may innovations including the RCIA Program. Sr. Carla Montante, S.P. joined our staff as Director of Religious Education.
Fr. Dennis Wood
(1984-1990)
Becoming our fourth pastor in 1984, Fr. Dennis saw the opening of a satellite parish at Bethany Lutheran Church on the Mountain Highway to serve parishioners from the Graham area. Services were held on Saturday evenings and religious education classes were conducted by volunteer teachers. After much discussion and with the approval of the Parish Council, plans were made to renovate the church under the direction of Fr. Dennis, Sr. Carol, and the Renovation Committee. Bob Becker, AIA, served as architect, and the General Contractor was Korsmo Construction Company. The project was begun in May 1988 and completed in November of that year. For a short time Fr. Larry Bailey (1987-1988) served as Parochial Vicar with Fr. Dennis. When he left us, he became a chaplain in the Air Force.
Fr. Vincent Peterson
(1990-1992)
When Fr. Dennis received permission for a sabbatical in Boston, he was replaced by Fr. Vincent Peterson who came to us from the Communication Office of the Archdiocese. Here for two years, he excelled in his homilies. A very caring person, he tried to help the parish with is financial problems.
Fr. Ralph Carney
(1992-1993)
Fr. Carney, a Franciscan, was appointed as Sacramental Minister. Since he had served at the Graham satellite, he was well known and loved by all. At this time Archbishop Murphy appointed Bob Dardis, (ordained a deacon on November 20, 1982) a dedicated parishioner for many years, to serve as Parish Administrator.
Fr. Mike McDermott
(1993-2000)
Our fifth pastor came to Our Lady Queen of Heaven in January of 1993 after years of Administration in the Chancery. Fr. Mike began his first pastorate with considerable financial challenges. It was necessary to log some of the trees on teh back part of the parish property to help pay the bills. In time, the financila situation greatly improved. The parish was becoming increasingly mulit-cultrual with many military families, both retired and active, moving to the area. Fr. Mike expanded the staff, developed our online capabilities, encouraged the Stephen Ministry, and seved the parish well in his years here. He reluctantly left to assume the pastorate of St. Charles Borromeo in summer 2000.
Fr. John Renggli
(2000-2009)
As our sixth pastor, Fr. John gradually introduced us to daily Mass singing, the Fall Fest, and Lifeteen programs, and the Palm Sunday Dramatic Passion Narrative. He loved the diversity of our parish and enjoyed being a parish priest. Having High School Altar Servers brought him much joy as well as preaching and administering the sacraments.
Fr. John Wilkie
(2009-2019)
Fr. John brought a sense of history and academia to his homilies that helped form the parish in knowledge and context. He loved to garden and helped to institute the Parish Garden which was initially spearheaded by the Youth Ministry. This expanded to other wonderful parish beautification projects that we can enjoy for years to come!
Fr. Vinner Raj Simeon Raj, H.G.N.
(2019 - 2021)
Fr. Vinner earned the name “Father Joy” with his jolly spirit felt by the whole community. He arrived here as an extern from India serving his first year at OLQH as parish priest along side Deacon Jim Fish, who served as Pastoral Coordinator. Father then stepped into the role of Priest Administrator in a time of transition and helped minister to the whole parish with regular meetings with all the ministries to show his support.