John E. O'Brien became very interested in Whidbey Island. He deplored the fact there was no permanent Catholic church there. He came as often as possible from Everett to celebrate Mass at the Liberty League Hall in San de Fuca. As he approached retirement age, he convinced Bishop O'Dea to let him start a parish on Whidbey Island. On Sunday, October 23, 1932, Mass was celebrated for the first
time in the newly named St. Mary's Church.
On January 1, 1933, Father O’Brien baptized the first baby in St. Mary’s Church. Previously, babies were taken to Port Townsend to be baptized.
Father O’Brien moved into the basement of the church and worked hard to keep his new parish going financially. There were few Catholic families on the island. It has been quoted as 5 families, or 8 families, or 10 families, plus a few Indians. These Indians tried to support Father O’Brien, and feed him, too. He was most popular with all who met him – even the Protestant shopkeepers who gave him credit until
he could pay his bills.
In January 1938, Father O’Brien joined other Coupeville men as a charter member of the Lions Club. In May of 1941, he united Mary Sullivan and John Vanderzicht in marriage in a warmly remembered “small family wedding,” the first wedding at St. Mary’s. In June 1941, Annabelle Zylstra married “Bud” Berry in the first “big wedding” at St. Mary’s Church.
Father O’Brien was a very busy man during these years. In addition to buying the Church, he built a mission church in Langley in 1939 and called it St. Hubert’s. From 1936, he celebrated Mass regularly at the Jackson home in Oak Harbor. Finally, in 1939, a mission church was begun in Oak Harbor and named St. Augustine’s.
While presiding at the funeral of Margaret Hughes Clark, on a cold and blustery day, Father O’Brien caught a cold, which developed into pneumonia. He never really recovered. He was transferred to Seattle in 1941 to be replaced by Rev. Robert Logan as administrator. Father O’Brien died on January 10, 1942, and Father Logan became the second pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
time in the newly named St. Mary's Church.
On January 1, 1933, Father O’Brien baptized the first baby in St. Mary’s Church. Previously, babies were taken to Port Townsend to be baptized.
Father O’Brien moved into the basement of the church and worked hard to keep his new parish going financially. There were few Catholic families on the island. It has been quoted as 5 families, or 8 families, or 10 families, plus a few Indians. These Indians tried to support Father O’Brien, and feed him, too. He was most popular with all who met him – even the Protestant shopkeepers who gave him credit until
he could pay his bills.
In January 1938, Father O’Brien joined other Coupeville men as a charter member of the Lions Club. In May of 1941, he united Mary Sullivan and John Vanderzicht in marriage in a warmly remembered “small family wedding,” the first wedding at St. Mary’s. In June 1941, Annabelle Zylstra married “Bud” Berry in the first “big wedding” at St. Mary’s Church.
Father O’Brien was a very busy man during these years. In addition to buying the Church, he built a mission church in Langley in 1939 and called it St. Hubert’s. From 1936, he celebrated Mass regularly at the Jackson home in Oak Harbor. Finally, in 1939, a mission church was begun in Oak Harbor and named St. Augustine’s.
While presiding at the funeral of Margaret Hughes Clark, on a cold and blustery day, Father O’Brien caught a cold, which developed into pneumonia. He never really recovered. He was transferred to Seattle in 1941 to be replaced by Rev. Robert Logan as administrator. Father O’Brien died on January 10, 1942, and Father Logan became the second pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
Fr John E. O'Brien Council 3361
Oak Harbor, Washington
Oak Harbor, Washington
Fr John E. O’Brien Council 3361
3259 Old Goldie Road
PO Box 795
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
(360) 675-6070
Admin@KofC3361.org
3259 Old Goldie Road
PO Box 795
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
(360) 675-6070
Admin@KofC3361.org
Kofc3361.org
