St. John's Episcopal Church (Olympia, Washington)

St. John's Episcopal Church (Olympia, Washington) is a parish of the Episcopal Church of America located in Olympia, Washington. The parish is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.

In 1853, Rev. John D. McCarty came as a missionary for the Protestant Episcopal Church to the Northwest. This included many areas of Oregon and Washington, including Olympia, Washington Territory. He conducted services in the Hall of the Representatives. On May 26, 1854, McCarty and Bishop Thomas F. Scott arrived in Olympia. McCarty continued onto Steilacoom for services, and Bishop Scott conducted Sunday services in Olympia. Rev. McCarty returned after that on a monthly basis to conduct services in Olympia. On January 7, 1864, the Washington Territory State Legislature passed an act to incorporate St. John's Episcopal Church. Actually, the incorporation papers specifically indicated "Rector, Wardens And Vestrymen Of The Parish Of St. John's Church Of Olympia" The only church organization incorporated earlier than St. John's was the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, so in one way St. John's was the first parish to be incorporated.

The first regularly appointed missionary for St. John's was Rev. D. Ellis Willes. He arrived in June, 1860, and conducted services in the local Methodist Chapel, which was the first church building in Olympia. Rev. Willes resigned in 1861, with monthly services subsequently conducted by Rev. Daniel Kendig, the chaplain at Fort Steilacoom, until Rev. Peter Edward Hyland arrived in 1865.

The church building was consecrated by Bishop Scott on Sep. 3, 1865, and two persons, Mrs. Robert Frost and Mrs. Charles (Martha) Grainger were confirmed. Also that day, Rev. Hyland married William Glendenning of Seattle to Jane Connor of Olympia. "Accompanying the above was a most generous supply of wine and cake. As we regretfully gaze at the empty bottles and the remnants of the bridal loaf we waft them out best wishes for happiness" said the Washington Standard of Sep. 9 of this event.

On April 2, 1866, St John's became the oldest incorporated parish in the state of Washington when a meeting of the congregation was held and the parish formally constituted. The Rev. Peter E. Hyland was the rector, and the following were on the vestry: Sam W. Percival, Senior Warden; William Pickering, Junior Warden; and James R. Wood, Robert Frost, Frank Henry, Richard Lane, Benjamin Harned, and John L. Head as vestrymen.

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