Our History
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St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish was founded by Fr. Edward F. McCallion and charter parish members in 1956.
Fr. McCallion upon marking completion of
the first phase of building at SCB
"Today we are indeed very happy people, the work has been difficult and trying at times, and the days have seemed long as we anxiously marked each step of the way; and yet so much has been accomplished in so short a time, it is just amazing."
- Fr. McCallion
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
St. Charles Borromeo School developed under the direction and selfless dedication of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia into a place of academic excellence and deep Catholic community roots and traditions.
The first graduating class at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
In 1985, administration of the school was restructured, a school commission formed and the first lay principal directed the school.
Fr. George Rink became pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in 1976 and under his guidance the parish continued to grow.
In 1990 Fr. Patrick Ritter followed Fr. Rink as pastor and a number of new facilities were added and the parish grew to over 2,000 families. On July 1, 2000, Archbishop Alex Brunett appointed Fr. Michael J. McDermott as pastor. In 2006 the parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
Fr. Michael McDermott appointed Pastor at St. CharlesToday a wide variety of opportunities are available to parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish as its community continues to grow together in becoming Christ's disciples spreading the good news to the greater Tacoma area.
In 2015, Fr. Mike celebrated his 50th Jubilee. St. Charles Borromeo has been a major part of his 50-year priesthood and the community responded with excitement, generosity and standing ovations.
Fr. Mike receiving congratulations at his 50th Jubilee celebration
As we look forward to the future of our parish, we invite you to join us and help us in continuing to live out our call to discipleship with one another. Let us pray with the same words with which Fr. McCallion concluded his pastor's letter in the early days of of our parish:
"May St. Charles Borromeo continue to exercise his benign patronage, and may the parish grow in numbers and good works, with our holy faith reaching deeper into the hearts and souls of the people; as time rolls on producing priests and religious who will help to extend God's Kingdom here in the northwest."
- Fr. McCallion
More information is available in the Parish Library and 50 year anniversary DVDs are available in the Parish Office.