Seattle, Washington: Churches and Religious Sites

Seattle skyline from Puget Sound. Photo by Marc C. Johnson.

Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, has a population of a half million within the city proper and another three million in the larger Puget Sound region.

Seattle is known for its abundance of water – it falls frequently from the sky and surrounds the city in the form of numerous bodies of water – and for its increasingly cosmopolitan air and cultural diversity. Seattle has long had a vibrant Asian-American population, and it also hosts well-established communities of Scandinavians, African-Americans, Jews, Native Americans, Russians and Latinos. This diversity is reflected in Seattle's many interesting religious sites, which range from Buddhist temples to African-American churches.

Seattle Maps
A high-resolution, fully interactive satellite map of Seattle, plus link to many more Seattle maps.

Seattle Fast Facts
Basics facts, stats and information about Seattle.

Seattle Timeline
A brief overview of Seattle's history.

Seattle Tours & Excursions
Choose from a variety of memorable sightseeing tours and activities in Seattle.

Seattle Hotels
Find and book a Seattle hotel at Expedia.

Seattle Hotel Reviews
Read unbiased reviews and compare prices on hotels in Seattle.

Seattle Travel Forum
Get travel advice and insider tips on Seattle from fellow travelers.

	Asian Art Museum With a vast collection of art from Japan, China, Korea, India and the Himalayas, this museum is a great way to see beautiful religious artifacts without making a trip to Asia.
	Betsuin Buddhist Temple This Japanese Buddhist temple is associated with the Jodo Shinshu school, which emphasizes devotion to Amida Buddha.
	Chapel of St. Ignatius Designed by Steven Holl, this magnificent Catholic chapel on the campus of Seattle University has won awards for its modern architecture and masterful use of light.
	Mount Zion Baptist Church Home to Washington's largest and oldest African-American congregation, Mount Zion is the place for powerful sermons and rousing gospel music.
	Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism Founded in 1975 in a former Presbyterian church, this is the only Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the United States. It hosts regular classes and ritual services.
	St. James Cathedral Completed in 1907, this is Seattle's Roman Catholic cathedral. Built on a grand scale, it features beautiful architecture and is home to the relics of Mother Cabrini, the first American saint.
	St. Mark's Cathedral This Episcopalian cathedral had a rocky history but is now a happily established church. Its fortress-like dominates a hilltop with beautiful lake views.
	St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral A Russian Orthodox cathedral, complete with onion domes, in downtown Seattle. The congregation was founded in 1895; the church dates from 1941.
	Temple De Hirsch Sinai A synagogue for Seattle's Reform Jewish community in a space-age-style 1960s building. Anyone is welcome to come and study at its extensive Jewish library.