Seattle's range of religious landmarks reflect the diversity and uniqueness of its citizens. There's actually lots to amuse across the city, but don't miss out on the gorgeous and historical treasures that are the religious sites in Seattle.
Seattle Betsiun Buddhist Temple
This temple was dedicated in 1941 and is part of the Chinatown Historic District. The temple hosts a Buddhist festival called Bon Odori each July. The building itself features sophisticated Asian architectural features such as curled roof edges and ornate doors.
The Chapel of St. Ignatius
As one of the spiritual landmarks in Seattle, this tiny Catholic chapel has won one or two awards for it's striking modern design. The easy light colored steel exterior is meant to echo the outward appearance of historical Roman structures. The interior has angles and windows that play with the contrast of light and dark, or what St. Ignatius called "consolations and desolations". The building's architectural designer was Steven Holl who designed different parts of the chapel to glow in colored light at various times of the day.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
The temple has some of the most weird history of Seattle religious landmarks. In 1971 the Temple De Hirsch and the Church Sinai were combined. A weird fact about the church is that its basement was the site of Jimi Hendrix's first professional gig. The building itself has a 1960's space-age look to its design. The building today holds a huge store of Jewish films and books.
St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
The congregation that attended the 1st service at this cathedral in 1895 was a mixture of Greek, Serbian and Russian immigrants. The religious and spiritual site later assisted Russian refugees fleeing the Bolsheviks. The building itself has striking bright blue domes in the iconic onion-shape that stand bold against Seattle's stormy, grey skies. The regular services are held in English but with liturgy done regularly in Slavonic languages too. Today the cathedral is home to a Russian Orthodox church.
The Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
This is likely one of the brightest religious landmarks in Seattle. The outside of the Monastery is painted in reds and yellows and within are several meditation rooms and statues. The monastery is open to the general public for meditation occasionally. The Monastery also offer free classes and lectures, for example simple Tibetan language courses.
Seattle Betsiun Buddhist Temple
This temple was dedicated in 1941 and is part of the Chinatown Historic District. The temple hosts a Buddhist festival called Bon Odori each July. The building itself features sophisticated Asian architectural features such as curled roof edges and ornate doors.
The Chapel of St. Ignatius
As one of the spiritual landmarks in Seattle, this tiny Catholic chapel has won one or two awards for it's striking modern design. The easy light colored steel exterior is meant to echo the outward appearance of historical Roman structures. The interior has angles and windows that play with the contrast of light and dark, or what St. Ignatius called "consolations and desolations". The building's architectural designer was Steven Holl who designed different parts of the chapel to glow in colored light at various times of the day.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
The temple has some of the most weird history of Seattle religious landmarks. In 1971 the Temple De Hirsch and the Church Sinai were combined. A weird fact about the church is that its basement was the site of Jimi Hendrix's first professional gig. The building itself has a 1960's space-age look to its design. The building today holds a huge store of Jewish films and books.
St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral
The congregation that attended the 1st service at this cathedral in 1895 was a mixture of Greek, Serbian and Russian immigrants. The religious and spiritual site later assisted Russian refugees fleeing the Bolsheviks. The building itself has striking bright blue domes in the iconic onion-shape that stand bold against Seattle's stormy, grey skies. The regular services are held in English but with liturgy done regularly in Slavonic languages too. Today the cathedral is home to a Russian Orthodox church.
The Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
This is likely one of the brightest religious landmarks in Seattle. The outside of the Monastery is painted in reds and yellows and within are several meditation rooms and statues. The monastery is open to the general public for meditation occasionally. The Monastery also offer free classes and lectures, for example simple Tibetan language courses.
About the Author:
Marie Clemmons has had an interest in Seattle religious landmarks for a number of years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For the details about religious sites in Seattle, come and visit her site.