The following is a review of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (my worship community and place of work). The reviews include 29 more faith communities in Seattle including a some emerging churches.
A Month of Sundays – Features – The Stranger, Seattle’s Only Newspaper
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
1245 10th Ave E
Sunday services: 8 am, 9 am, 11 am
This place is fucking gorgeous: 50-foot ceiling; stone-slab floors; white concrete pillars bookend the altar; light-pink, yellow, and off-white stained glass filter the morning light; and the piano-and-flute-heavy ensemble croon away.
In an era when Christianity is marketed as a sort of rock concert meets Gatorade commercial—with TV-screen preachers beamed into makeshift houses of worship in high-school gyms—St. Mark’s splendor is awesome. I understand the populist impulse of the evangelicals, but God deserves some gentle beauty.
When it comes time for Communion, I leap at the chance to float down the aisle and hang out at the grand dais.
Again, there’s no skimping here: I’m startled at the size of the slab of pita bread I get. When the guy jams it in my mouth, I’m wondering if he’s made a mistake: Am I supposed to tear it in half and share with the old lady on crutches next to me in line? Are there two parts to this ritual—am I supposed to eat only half now with the wine and bring the rest back to my seat to dip in charoset? JOSH FEIT
This new season of eliacin.com would be focus on issues of my journey toward Priesthood in The Episcopal Church, photography, liberated spaces, spirituality, alternative living, America Latina and homegrown revolution.
