If you’ve ever walked around First Hill in Seattle, you might have noticed the Stimson Green Mansion on the corner of Seneca and Minor Avenue. 

The house is celebrating its 125th year. It used to be home to some of the most influential and first families of Seattle. 

Guest: 
Chris Moore - Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
Abby Armato - Public Programs Specialist of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation

Related Links: 
Stimson-Green Mansion - Washington Trust for Historic Preservation  
Stimson-Green Mansion - History Link
Joshua Green - History Link
First Hill Park - First Hill Improvement Association 

If you&rsquo;ve ever walked around First Hill in Seattle, you might have noticed the Stimson Green Mansion on the corner of Seneca and Minor Avenue.&nbsp;
The house is celebrating its 125th year. It used to be home to some of the most influential and first families of Seattle.&nbsp;
Guest: 
<ul>
<li>Chris Moore - Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation</li>
<li>Abby Armato - Public Programs Specialist of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation</li>
</ul>
Related Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://preservewa.org/info/stimson-green-mansion/">Stimson-Green Mansion </a>- Washington Trust for Historic Preservation &nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.historylink.org/File/2713">Stimson-Green Mansion</a> - History Link</li>
<li><a href="https://www.historylink.org/file/1689">Joshua Green</a> - History Link</li>
<li><a href="https://www.firsthill.org/new-page-34">First Hill Park</a> - First Hill Improvement Association&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Soundside

Celebrating the Stimson-Green Mansion's 125th Birthday

Even in one of the U.S.'s most non-religious areas, early data suggests more people in the Seattle area are converting to Roman Catholicism.

The archdiocese of Seattle keeps tallies on catechumens, which refers to a person who will be baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion. In 2026, the archdiocese already reports over 1070 catechumens, across more than 130 parishes, a 17 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase since 2024.

We spoke with a handful of recent converts to Catholicism from around the Seattle area about why each of them converted, and what role faith plays in their lives now.


Guest

Kevin Brown, Graduate Program director and a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University. He also currently serves as the editor of the Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society of America.   

Related Links

Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts - The New York Times

National Rise in Catholicism Conversions Makes its Way to the Puget Sound - The Seattle Spectator

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Even in one of the U.S.'s most non-religious areas, early data suggests more people in the Seattle area are converting to Roman Catholicism.
The archdiocese of Seattle keeps tallies on catechumens, which refers to a person who will be baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion. In 2026, the archdiocese already reports over 1070 catechumens, across more than 130 parishes, a 17 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase since 2024.
We spoke with a handful of recent converts to Catholicism from around the Seattle area about why each of them converted, and what role faith plays in their lives now. Guest Kevin Brown, Graduate Program director and a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University. He also currently serves as the editor of the Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society of America. &nbsp;&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/us/catholics-converts.html">Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts</a> - The New York Times <a href="https://seattlespectator.com/2026/04/15/national-rise-in-catholicism-conversions-makes-its-way-to-the-puget-sound/">National Rise in Catholicism Conversions Makes its Way to the Puget Sound</a> - The Seattle Spectator Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

At Mass, new Catholics probably don't slip up on "and with your spirit" instead of "and also with you." 

Why people in Seattle are converting to Catholicism

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: Soundside Producer Maleeha Syed

Related Links:
Was the World Cup win over Paraguay the best in USMNT history?
At Gonzaga, a glimpse of Salah and a city's day of wonder
After Somali referee denied entry, Seattle organization returns World Cup tickets
Seattle moves to take guns from traffickers on Aurora as mayor closes streets
WA weather: Highs in Seattle area could touch 90 on World Cup game day

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest: Soundside Producer Maleeha Syed
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49053328/was-fifa-world-cup-win-paraguay-best-usmnt-history">Was the World Cup win over Paraguay the best in USMNT history?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jun/10/at-gonzaga-a-glimpse-of-salah-and-a-citys-day-of-w/">At Gonzaga, a glimpse of Salah and a city's day of wonder</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/world-cup-seattle/after-somali-referee-denied-entry-seattle-organization-returns-world-cup-tickets/">After Somali referee denied entry, Seattle organization returns World Cup tickets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-moves-to-take-guns-from-traffickers-on-aurora-as-mayor-closes-streets/">Seattle moves to take guns from traffickers on Aurora as mayor closes streets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weekend-weather-heat-risk-for-seattle-and-western-wa-through-monday/">WA weather: Highs in Seattle area could touch 90 on World Cup game day</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: World Cup, Aurora Ave N, and THE HEAT!

For the first time in 16 years, a new King County Executive gave a state of the county address.

Executive Girmay Zahilay was in Federal Way last night to outline the work he has done in his first six months in office and look forward to what he plans to accomplish in the next 3 and a half years of his term.

Zahilay spoke about new investments in childcare, homelessness, and mental healthcare, amid the rapidly shifting federal environment over the last year and a half. 

He also acknowledged the need to build trust after recent troubling audits looking into  KCRHA and the county’s Department of Community and Human Services.

Guest:

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: Zahilay wants more King County childcare funding, bus service, housing 

For the first time in 16 years, a new King County Executive gave a state of the county address.
Executive Girmay Zahilay was in Federal Way last night to outline the work he has done in his first six months in office and look forward to what he plans to accomplish in the next 3 and a half years of his term.
Zahilay spoke about new investments in childcare, homelessness, and mental healthcare, amid the rapidly shifting federal environment over the last year and a half.&nbsp;
He also acknowledged the need to build trust after recent troubling audits looking into&nbsp; KCRHA and the county&rsquo;s Department of Community and Human Services.
Guest:
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/zahilay-wants-more-king-county-childcare-funding-bus-service-housing/">Zahilay wants more King County childcare funding, bus service, housing </a>

For the first time in 16 years, a new King County Executive gave a state of the county address.

Celebrating the Stimson-Green Mansion's 125th Birthday

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