Our Lady of Guadalupe’s 1st half-century: Fun Run on Sunday

This Sunday afternoon, you’re likely to see a lot more people than usual on the sidewalks of 35th SW and SW Thistle, through Gatewood and Westwood – part of a “Fun Run” (or walk) celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe Church‘s 50th anniversary, with many other special events to come. Read on for the full announcement and an explanation why the route will take parish members to Chief Sealth International High School‘s permanent site:

From the church:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church will host a Fun Run on Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m., one of several community events in honor of the parish’s 50th anniversary. The Fun Run, which may also be walked, begins at the church at 7000 SW 35th Ave. [map] Participants will head to Chief Sealth High School, following the same historic path our founding members walked en route to the new church 50 years ago.

After the trek, community members will gather at the parish hall for a barbecue around 3 p.m. Longtime parishioners, newcomers and everyone in between will share stories rich in community history.

The Fun Run is one of many events Our Lady of Guadalupe is hosting throughout the year. On October 17, the parish will hold a reception recognizing the founding members of our parish. The entire month of November will be dedicated to celebrating the lives of those who have died in our community. On December 10, we will hold our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, and two days later we’ll celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day.

The history of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s parish goes back five decades. On February 12, 1960, Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly established the parish in response to the growing Catholic population of West Seattle. The first masses were celebrated in the auditorium at Chief Sealth High School and at the gymnasium of the High Point Housing Project. While Our Lady of Guadalupe has been stationed in High Point for nearly 50 years, it wasn’t until March 30, 1963 when the parish received its own place to worship in the form of a three-story school. Church members celebrated mass on the school’s ground floor until the current church was completed in March of 1970.

The Fun Run represents this journey from the church’s geographical roots at Chief Sealth High School to the current building on 35th Ave. and Myrtle St.

2 Replies to "Our Lady of Guadalupe's 1st half-century: Fun Run on Sunday"

  • Tonya May 10, 2010 (4:00 pm)

    Sounds like a great time and a good cause. Thanks for posting!

  • Skeeter May 10, 2010 (4:37 pm)

    This will be a great event. Not many West Seattle institutions have lasted 50 years!

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