Edward John O'Dea

Edward John O'Dea (November 23, 1856 – December 25, 1932) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Nesqually in Washington from 1896 until 1907. When the Vatican renamed the diocese as the Diocese of Seattle in 1907, O'Dea served as its bishop until his death in 1932.

O'Dea was responsible for the construction of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington.

Biography

Early life Bishop O'Dea (center) celebrating his Silver Jubilee at St. James Cathedral in 1908 Edward O'Dea was born in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, to Edward and Ellen (née Kelly) O'Dea, both Irish immigrants. Edward O'Dea elder traveled west during the California Gold Rush in 1849. Following his return to Portland, he served as a curate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish. He served as private secretary to Archbishop William Gross until 1892, when he became pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Portland.

Bishop of Seattle The Vatican renamed the diocese as the Diocese of Seattle on September 11, 1907, and moved the seat of the diocese from Vancouver to Seattle's Capitol Hill. His final accomplishment was the establishment of St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore, Washington, in 1930.

O'Dea High School in Seattle was named after O'Dea.