Picture used with permission from Deacon Loren Lane

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Timeline:

1831: Fathers Blachette and DeSmet Visited Chinokville and baptized a number of Indians.

November 24, 1848: Father Louis Lionnet baptized Xavier Scarborough, son of James and Elizabeth (Paley Temaikamae) at Stella Maris Mission near Point Chinook.

1863: Mission land at Chinook purchased by Patrick J. McGowan.

August 16, 1898: Mass was offered by a Benedictine priest from St. Martin's Abbey in Lacey, Washington, Father Demetrius Juneman, in the lobby of the Long Beach Hotel. He was hosted by Mrs. Michael McNamara. By 1899, an enclosed church with make-shift pews and a simple altar was built. The original church in Seaview was located across the street from the present church. The parish continued to be served by the Benedictine Fathers from St. Martin's Abbey until 1908. Until 1926, Mass was celebrated during the months of July and August by the Dominican Fathers of Portland.

December 4, 1904: Father John O'Brien offered the first Mass at St. Mary's Church at McGowan.

May 20, 1906: McGowan Church dedicated by Bishop Edward O'Dea of Seattle and entrusted to the care of the Dominican Fathers from Portland. In 1939 the Fathers from St. James in Vancouver came for the Masses, then, shortly afterwards, the pastor from Raymond whose parish covered all of Pacific county cared for the church. For some years the church was neglected, almost abandoned.

September, 1926: Father Pope, the superior of the Dominican Fathers, arranged to provide for Mass once a month. The average attendance dring the winter was about twenty-five adults and children.

1937: Father Hayes was assigned to the mission of St. Mary's by Bishop Shaughnessy of Seattle. It was then assigned to Father John Egan of St. James, Vancouver.

1943: St. Mary's was transferred to the jurisdiction of Raymond and South Bend Parish with Father J.C. O'Connell as Pastor.

1950: Ray Provo donated land on which the present St. Mary's is located, and adjoining lots.

1957 - 1958: Present St. Mary's Church and social hall was built.

October 19, 1957: The church was dedicated by the Most Reverend Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of the Diocese of Seattle. Fr. Henry Buckman, pastor of the beach parish, as well as of Raymond, South Bend and Naselle, helped officiate. The mahogany crucifix was made by Joseh Gisler and Joseph Eager. Geroge Inglin and Rogert Inglin built the original mahogany altars. Evergreen Shrubs outside the building were planted by Ervin Klemm.

July, 1965: Archbishop Thomas Connolly established St. Mary's as a parish and appointed Father Larry Low as the first pastor.

Early 1960's: McGowan chapel renovated by Father Knelleken. Since then it has been well maintained by parishioners of St. Mary's, Seaview. Masses are held there during the summer months. The simple interior of the church is much the same as it was nearly 100 years ago. The large picture of the Assumption of Mary hanging above the altar, the crucifix, the candle holders, all date from the early times as does the bell hanging in the tower which is dated 1904. There is a beautiful, delicately formed Madonna made from driftwood, by Maureen Mulvey. She presented the shrine to the church at the time of the restoration.

March, 1966: The orginial St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview was razed. The site was levelled for additional parking for the parishioners and visitors to the church. A parking lot sign on the corner of 48th and Fourth Street are all that mark the site of the original church.

1967: Construction of the rectory completed.

1971: Father Richard Gallagher assigned as pastor.

1973: Father Charles Crosse assigned as pastor.

1985: Father David Gese was appointed pastor.

1989: Father Ross Fewing was appointed pastor.

1992: Father Richard Gallagher was appointed pastor.

1994: St. Vincent De Paul Society was established in the parish to meet the ever growing needs of the poor, the homeless, and those caught in some emergency situation.

1997: New roof put on the church at Seaview, as well as on St. Mary's at McGowan.

June, 1999: Father Vic Olvida was appointed pastor.

August, 2002: Preliminary planning for expansion of the parish hall begin.

August 29, 2004: Blessing of the stained glass windows at St. Mary's by Archbishop Brunett.