Parish history

St. David’s has served the community of Spokane for more than 130 years.
We are the oldest continuing Episcopal parish in the greater Spokane area. (Timeline of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane)

1890 -- The year after Washington became a state and the great Spokane fire occurred, and just three years after the last of the Spokane Indians agreed to move to reservations, the original St. David’s Episcopal Church was organized. The church building was made of native rock at what is now the corner of Garland and Lidgerwood. It was the second Episcopal church built in Spokane, in the new (1889) Lidgerwood Park Addition to the city. The Rev. Walter Hughson, our first vicar, led 23 communicants. St. David's was served by 24 vicars over the next 69 years. as a mission church.

1956 -- It was the middle of the Baby Boom and Spokane was growing rapidly. St. David's broke ground for a new church at Wall and Monroe, which was 1/2 mile north of the city border at Francis Ave. The original St. David's building continued as a house of worship -- it is currently occupied by Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic church.

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

1963 -- All those baby boomer children needed more Sunday School space! An educational wing was added, along with the current front entrance. Accessibility ramps were added later at the front door and into the parish hall.

2006 -- After a trip to Iona Abbey in Scotland, our rector Elaine Breckenridge+ developed a worship service based on the Book of Common Prayer's Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist and incorporating elements of Celtic spirituality. It has continued at St. David's since then, currently as our 11:00 Sunday service.

2011-2014 -- Interior upgrades included fresh paint, new vinyl flooring, and new lighting in the lower level. In the worship space, some furniture was cleared from the chancel to allow celebrating Eucharist closer to the people. Clearing more furniture from the back of the church allowed flexible use of that space. Comfortable upholstered chairs replaced some of the traditional fixed pews.

2020 -- The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a technology upgrade. We shifted to livestreaming services on Facebook and holding classes and meetings on Zoom. That turned out to be a blessing for shut-ins and others who gained new access to participate remotely.

When we were a mission we were served by quite a number of vicars.
Since becoming a parish, we've been served by ten priests as rector, priest-in-charge, or vicar:

The Rev. William Peckover (1954-1961)