Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral — Attraction in Seattle

Plans for the building, located on the west side of 10th Avenue East between East Highland Drive and East Galer Street on Capitol Hill, were drawn up in 1926. Fundraising took place for two years until construction began in 1928. Ground was broken on September 30, 1928. The Great Depression took a toll on the parish, however. Construction was incomplete when the cathedral was dedicated on April 25, 1931, and the parish was in default on its mortgage throughout the 1930s. The cathedral was foreclosed upon in 1941 and shut for the next two years. From 1943 to 1944, the United States Army used the cathedral as an anti-aircraft training facility; the evidence of this era can still be seen in murals in the crypt.

In 1944, Bishop S. Arthur Huston reopened discussions with the parish's bankers in St. Louis, Missouri; over the next three years, more funds were raised, and in 1947 the mortgage was paid. The mortgage document was burned before the Parish on Palm Sunday.[1]

The cathedral's dean, Robert V. Taylor, resigned abruptly in March 2008, stating that he and the vestry (church board) diverged in their visions for the future of St. Mark's and there was a loss of trust between them.[2]

After several years of transitional ministry, Taylor was succeeded by Steven Lynn Thomason in the...

I stumbled into this cathedral by accident while wandering around volunteer park, meandering through the many roads of these old neighborhoods, but I was stopped and all and amazement when I saw this church. There is a sense of reverence and devotion that simply exudes from the ground of this building, which are kept with an elegance and thoughtfulness that I greatly appreciate. The architecture is also impressive, even though it differs significantly from the towering Gothic grandeur that one typically associates with great cathedrals. With the geometric forms and the use of modern materials, there is something very West Coast mid-20th century about this building. I could look at this instantly and say about when it was built and where it is located, even if I had never seen it before. That does not mean that the building is "dated" by any means: there is a forcefulness and energy to the modern design that synthesizes well with the use of arches and more traditional elements of religious architecture. The architecture and the grounds facilitate this more direct and intensified connection with the divine, and as such, the site feels both appropriate and...

This review is for the yoga sessions on Mondays at 6:30 PM and the Yoga + Sound Bath they do every third Monday of the month. It's such a great program, and its donation-based--pay what you can. Just make sure to get there early if you want a good spot ( like at 6pm when the doors open) Trust me, you'll want to be up front or in the center, because being on the sides can make it a little tricky to hear the instructor.

The yoga itself leans more towards a Hatha style, which is perfect for all levels. The instructor for the last Yoga + Sound Bath was amazing, and there's something so peaceful and relaxing about practicing yoga here, especially after one of those Mondays. The sound bath just takes it to a whole other level of zen.

They have mats and blocks available, but it gets pretty packed, so bringing your own is a smart move. If you're looking to unwind, reset, and leave all that Monday madness behind, this is definitely the...