St. James Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in First Hill, Seattle, United States
St. James Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral at 804 Ninth Avenue in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood. Its roof is covered in red interlocking clay tiles, and its interior holds stained glass by Charles Connick installed between 1917 and 1920. Bronze doors by sculptor Ulrich Henn were added in 1999.
Bishop Edward O'Dea initiated construction in 1903 after moving the Episcopal see from Vancouver to Seattle. The building was completed and dedicated in December 1907, marking a pivotal moment for the Catholic community in the region.
The cathedral is named for St. James the Greater, patron saint of the archdiocese, and is the third church in the territory of the Archdiocese of Seattle to bear the name. Its outreach ministries, run from Cathedral Hall and the former convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names, serve the poor and homeless through the Cathedral Kitchen and Nightwatch.
St. James Cathedral stands at 804 Ninth Avenue on First Hill, the block bounded by Terry Avenue and Columbia Street, where the temporary St. Edward's Chapel once served as pro-cathedral. The 1999 bronze doors by sculptor Ulrich Henn face visitors at the entrance; their panels read from bottom left through Old Testament scenes to the life of Jesus on the right.
The 1994 renovation moved the altar to the crossing and placed relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini beneath it; she had worshipped at the cathedral while working in Seattle from 1903 to 1916. An oculus and skylight now occupy the spot where the dome collapsed in 1916.
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