Parish history

St. David's has served the community of Spokane for more than 115 years by providing a viable group of Christians who are mindful of the needs of the community and who have joined in fellowship to help answer those needs.

St. David's is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, which includes eastern Washington (east of the Cascade Mountains) and northern Idaho (north of the Salmon River). The Diocese is made up of six administrative units called deaneries. St. David's is in the Spokane-Colville deanery which includes all Episcopal churches in Spokane as well as those in Cheney, Colville, and Spokane Valley.

1891 -- The original St. David's Episcopal Church was completed, built of native rock at what is now the corner of Garland and Lidgerwood. At that time, St. David's was a mission church located far from the city, deep in the forest at the northern end of Spokane. There were 23 communicants under the leadership of the Rev. Walter Hughson, our first vicar. During the 69 years that St. David's was a mission church we were served by 24 vicars.

  St. David's first building

1956 -- Ground was broken for the new St. David's, this time again far north of the growing community of Spokane at the intersection of Wall and Monroe Streets. At the time construction was begun there were few homes or businesses north of Francis Avenue.

1960 -- St. David's achieved parish status under the leadership of the Rev. William Peckover, who became the church's first Rector.

1963 -- An educational wing was added to the church. The later addition of the narthex (vestibule) with its wheelchair-accessible ramp completed the major physical changes to the building. As with all buildings, we are constantly painting, renovating, and changing.

Six priests have served St. David's as Rector:

• The Rev. William Peckover (1954-1961),
• The Rev. David Knight (1961-1966),
• The Rev. Harold Fleharty (1966-1971),
• The Rev. Peter Stretch (1972-1996),
• The Rev. Dr. William Pugliese (1996-2003) and
• The Rev. Elaine Breckenridge (2004-present).

         

     Peckover                  Knight                  Fleharty                Stretch                  Pugliese              Breckenridge