St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral

Excellent leadership, programming and ministries. The best choral music! Some mentioned that this is a Catholic church below, but it’s actually Episcopal. The difference is pretty big – it’s protestant, a member of the worldwide Anglican communion. Separated from the Church of England following the American Revolution. I recommend Compline at 9:30 pm, but also evensong (choral service) the first Sunday of each month at 4:30 pm. Good people doing good work.

If only they advertised better more people would know how awesome this event is! Every Sunday a group of volunteer «monks» offer a compline service and it is so worth it! There is a remarkable silence when you walk in, and the building is incredible. The choir truly sounds like one voice. It’s very unique and a great experience for believers and non believers alike. Music is truly what connects us all.

THINGS TO DO:
1. Go to the St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Compline service. It is on every Sunday night at 9:30pm. This service provides a very tranquil mood allowing one to either cool off from a stressful week of work or school, and/​or mentally prepare for an upcoming hectic schedule. And as a bonus, this service is completely FREEEE!
2. Dress warm or bring a blanket. This place is a little chilly because of the high ceiling and massive circumference of the room, so unless you’re from the Midwest and/​or don’t mind freezing temperatures, you are going to want wear jeans and a coat.
3. Be on the floor. If you’re like me you and don’t mind being on the floor, bring a pillow and blanket and plop yourself almost anywhere in the room. I personally enjoy being on the floor, closing my eyes, and letting myself be enveloped in the heat of my blanket while the serene sounds from the male Compline choir fill my ears. However, if you are uncomfortable with the idea of being on the floor, there are wooden benches surrounding the room on the walls, as well as wooden pews in the middle of the room (however, in my opinion, the pews are very uncomfortable).
THINGS NOT TO DO:
1. Don’t be a naïve fool like I was and go wearing shorts and a t-​shirt. Trust me, you will regret it. You will want to be comfortable so you will fully be able to enjoy the service.
2. Be comfortable, but not too comfortable. Yes, you want to be comfy, but don’t fall asleep. Again speaking from past experiences, I fell asleep. Apparently, I began talking in my sleep, but thankfully the friend I was with shook me awake before I things got too bad (THANK GOD)! Also, there is one part in the service where everyone has to stand up (only for a few seconds), and if you want to be respectful, stand up.
3. Don’t sit in the front of the pews. Don’t get me wrong, the view is lovely. Although this cathedral has remained unfinished since the 1900s, it is absolutely astonishing. But, I would not recommend sitting in front of the pews. My friend and I made this mistake our first time going to the Compline service. We sat leaning against a pillar in front. Since I like to observe my surrounding, I’m always looking around. Every time I looked around I always made eye contact with someone which made for a VERY AWKWARD 1 second (yes, it was a short time, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable) of staring.
OVERALL, this is a magnificent service to go to. Enjoy it alone or with friends, sitting in a pew or laying on the floor, it is a place to go to for those who enjoy a stunning setting and a tranquil mood.

Worship at St. Mark’s uplifts me in ways that nothing else can. It’s an experience that you just can’t describe in words.

This place is beautiful, and I love going here on Sundays for Kaplan. I definetly suggest checking this church out as well!

I do not attend services but have sung a number of concerts here. It is such a wonderful space for singing. There are also a variety of locations within the church that provide different acoustic characteristics as well, from the altar, behind in the chapel, or in Complin Corner. Each spot provides a different soundscape for listeners in the pews.

Brian Regan’s skit about IHOP always brings Compline to mind at St. Mark’s Cathedral: «Paaaaa-​aaaaaa-​aaaa-​aaaaaaa-​nnn caaaaaaaakes.»
Before you ask, I observe any and all religion and none at all. If I like you, I’m sure it has something to do with your belief system or absence of one. So let’s just say we’re good.
Compline is free to the public and happens every Sunday night at 9:30pm. For the last 13 years or so, when I just want to peace out, I head over to St. Mark’s and either lay down on the floors with a bunch of other people, or I sit in the pews, so I can listen to Compline Choir sing.
It’s beautiful. The notes are so deep and true as they sing, that I can feel the reverberation in my jaw in the most pleasant way. Sometimes in English, Latin, Italian or others, it’s about the observance of sound in the simplest way.
It’s short – no more than 20 min, I think, but you will feel wonderful afterwards. At least I do. Breaking out of the norm is always refreshing. I know I’ve done a good job of listening if I’m not humming «paaaa-​aaaaaaaa-​aaannn caaaaakes» before they begin.
Feel free to drop off a donation at the front; you never know when you’ll want to drop in.

I have come to St Mark’s many times. Each time I have left longing for my next visit.
I have come for worship. I have come to sing as a choir member on Saturday nights. I have come for Installations and Consecrations. Somehow I’ve missed the Sunday night Compline. One of the most beautiful services in the Book of Common Prayer.
Probably one of the most enjoyable experiences at St Mark’s, was when former Bishop of Newark, Jack Spong came to speak on the release of one of his books. It was a no holds bar discussion and he held court for nearly two hours to a packed Cathedral. It was hilarious, educational and poignant. His theology and humor was embraced by all that night.
Come for the service, come to be served and come to offer service to others. It will change you! It is one of the most inclusive places I’ve ever been in.

I was invited to St. Mark’s for the Compline service tonight and I am so thankful that I went! The service is just beautiful, and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. We had the rare opportunity to enjoy the organ concert up in the balcony after the service. An unforgettable experience and one definitely worth repeating!

Someone asked me what my absolute favorite things about Seatle are. Compline came to mind right away. I often bring out-​of-​towners to the Sunday night compline becasue it is a geniune, unique Seattle experience.
We walk in with guest asking «Wait, why are we bringing a blanket to church? Hey, you’re not a Christian, you do know that, right?» Then, walking out, it’s «Wow. Just wow. Thank you for taking me here.»
Laying on the floor of St. Mark’s Compline is perhaps my best ever thinking and relaxing place. Give it a try.

If you have had a negative church experience in the past, St. Mark’s will serve as a safe place to regroup. It is a welcoming place that is both traditional in its worship and up to date in its theological approach. Thinking for yourself is encouraged. Young adults are flocking to St. Mark’s in droves probably for these reasons.
St. Mark’s provides lessons and examples of spiritual living without demanding what doctrine you have to believe to avoid getting kicked out. You don’t have to ignore science to belong. Communion is open to everyone who wants it. That alone speaks volumes. St. Mark’s tailors an ancient tradition to meet the needs, knowledge and understanding of a 21^st century society.
On your way out of a negative place that told you that you were too wicked to be saved? Save your sanity and end up at St. Mark’s.

Social gospel is their God. If you get warm fuzzies from sitting in a cathedral that is more into the elements of worship but has a lukewarm, liberal social gospel, then this may be your place. I stopped going when Mark Taylor wanted more money and power. (He was making more than our Washington State Governor, for Gods sake).He left in a huff and tried to cry poor, persecuted me! How Christ-​like is that?
The verse below applies to this place :2 Timothy 3:5 NLT
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Indeed, pass on this church. It will leave feeling shallow and empty.

I do not believe the Compline service could be improved upon, except if maybe it were countless hundreds of years ago and we all arrived at the cathedral on foot or riding on the beasts who plow our fields alongside us, to listen as the choir, on all our behalves, thanks their conception of the Power that moves the waters and resides in the light, for giving us life.
No words can convey what that service freely gives and, like somebody else said, I’m not Christian. Or Buddhist. Or an adherent of any other earthly doctrine. In this singularly beautiful service there is room for all, even if at one point they do explicitly state that their way is through their fabled Jesus of Nazareth. Even with all the intolerance, oppression, and bitterly cruel judgments that I personally associate with Christianity, at Compline I’m allowed to come dressed as I please, believing whatever mishmash of things I do, and still find and share in the peace.

After reading all of the rave reviews about the 9:30 service, I’m so regretful that our group who recently visited Seattle last weekend failed to attend; instead, we came to «EvenSong» at 5:30. It was lovely, and we felt very important since our group of 7, 2 others, the reader of scripture, the celebrant, the choir and the organist made up the congregation. We were puzzled by the silence before and after the service, thinking them unfriendly, but perhaps, in light of what I have learned from the other reviews, this silence was part of the service. Truly hope to attend the Compline service one day.

WOW. I went here for the first time to see My Brightest Diamond and was blown away by the beauty and acoustics of the space. Shana’s voice and theatrics also lent themselves well to their surroundings.
We didn’t have any problem securing good seats because we arrived quite early. I noticed a lot of folk brought fat pillows from home so they could enjoy the show from the steps. One man brought a pair of sleeping bags and methodically folded them over to make one thick pallet for himself.
Parking was also easy though I can see their lot filling up on busier days. I’ll definitely go back to check out the Compline chant one day. I’ve heard SO much about it.

There’s just something about this place.
First off… the church itself is beautiful. When you walk in, you feel the holy nature of all of it. Here’s the interesting part, although the place is huge, the community is rather small in feel. They always have groups so you don’t get lost in the shuffle if you really want to make a place for yourself.
I love the diversity of the people who attend Sunday morning service, and the diversity of the people who facilitate the Sunday morning service. There isn’t one set type of person here.
The Compline services is something everyone should go to at least once. Go on a Sunday night when you’re looking at a tough work week ahead… it’s a great way to center yourself.
My recommendation if you’re tossing around the idea of going to church around this time of year… go to their Christmas service, and then go to the labyrinth walk for New Years Eve.
Both experiences are amazing.
The music, the peace, the people…
Weather you’re a hetero couple with 6 kids, a single in your 20’s, an LGBT family, wealthy, not so wealthy… you’re welcome here. No sideways glances.
It’s just all around a really nice place to be.

Their Sunday night Compline Service almost makes me wish I was religious.
The church and the service is absolutely beautiful. Go to this service for meditation, reflection, and simply to enjoy beautiful singing.
Whatever faith/​spirit you believe in, St. Mark’s is the place on Sunday nights.
(Don’t be loud!)

Thank God (no really, I mean it this time!) we have such a tradition as the Compline Choir at St. Mark’s every Sunday.
I first went in 1996, quite reluctantly I might add, and quickly fell in love with this service.
It’s simple really; You walk in, find a seat or lie on the floor if no seats are left, the priests file in, they sing a capella, you get chills down your spine because the music is incredible, maybe you weep, the priests finish, they file out, and you leave. There’s no sermon, no harassment about tithing, no secret agenda to damn you to hell if you aren’t Christian.
St. Mark’s is awesome.

Love the Compline service, I always take out of town guests visiting to hear this. The church is so gorgeous at night. I’d love to have my wedding there at night, lit by candles. It feels like being in medieval Spain.
What a wonderful way to end the weekend and have some sort of semblance of spirituality in my life.

OK. So why am i writing about a church? But little do you know this is one of my favorite places to go on a Sunday Nights at 9:30. Its called Compline but in reality it’s The Monks.
I first started going 2 years ago and ever since then i’ve been hooked. About ten to thirteen men walk and begin to sing the most relaxing songs you have ever heard in your entire life. They use the tall ceilings to perfections allowing their songs to cascade around the building like a cool breeze on summer day. Its that amazing. They sing mainly in Latin, and even though you can not understand hte words they make you fall asleep. It’s that good!
My favorite part is that its not a typical church service, there is no preaching, there is no pastor or priest. Its just 300 to 400 people laying ether on the floor with blankets or in the pews. Its very diverse and keeps a urban feeling. There are no rules! where you can lay orstand, the only thing is they just want you to be quite. The ages range from 15 to 75 everyone can enjoy this.
I love it. And to be honest at first i didn’t think it would be that great. But i’m hooked. Sometimes you have to just get away and relax, this allows you to do this. It’s my meditation time and my time to just think and get my mind clear of all the distraction that I had during the week. GIVE yourself a chance to get hooked too. WHAT ELSE ARE U DOING ON A SUNDAY AT 9:30?!
See you there ! and remember a blanket!