The Story of St. Pius X Catholic Church – A Journey of Faith in Coeur d'Alene
 
The story of St. Pius X Catholic Church begins with a rich legacy of Catholic faith in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Long before our parish was founded, the seeds of faith were planted with the establishment of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in 1890 by Father Smith. This church became the spiritual home for early Catholic families in the area, and its presence on 9th Street and Wallace Avenue remains a symbol of the Church’s early roots in our town.
 
As Coeur d’Alene grew, so did the Catholic community. In response to this growth, Bishop Sylvester Treinen made a pivotal decision: the city would be divided into two parishes to better serve the faithful. And so, on September 12, 1962, St. Pius X Parish was born, covering the northern portion of town. While the new church was being built, parishioners gathered for Mass in the gymnasium at Borah Elementary School, which they affectionately nicknamed “St. Borah.” It was an unorthodox beginning, but one filled with faith, laughter, and anticipation.
 
The parish’s first pastor, Father Thomas Lafey, arrived just days earlier, on September 7, 1962. Coming from the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Grangeville, Idaho, Fr. Lafey quickly became the spiritual shepherd of this fledgling community. He inspired a spirit of service, which became especially evident during the construction of the church and school. The people of St. Pius X knew that a church was more than a building—it was a family, united in faith and purpose.
 
With Fr. Lafey’s leadership and the determination of parishioners, groundbreaking for the new school and chapel took place on February 29, 1964, and construction began in April. Much of the work was done by parish volunteers, including Frank Spuler, John Gregor, and others who donated their skills and time. Two of these volunteers, Norman Peterson and Neil Pyle, constructed the stunning teak wood ceiling, designed to resemble the hull of a boat—an enduring reminder of the Church as a vessel carrying us safely through life’s storms.
 
The first Mass was celebrated on August 15, 1964, and just days later, the building was dedicated by Bishop Treinen. That September, St. Pius X School opened its doors to 160 students, staffed by the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Pennsylvania and lay teacher Mrs. Gunnar Nelson. It was a vibrant time of growth and hope.
 
In 1969, the parish experienced transitions. The Sisters' order withdrew, leading to the school's closure. That same year, Fr. John Morgan became the second pastor. He helped the parish adapt to changing times, including relocating the sanctuary to the former gym’s stage area—transforming the multi-purpose room into a beautiful worship space.
 
To enrich spiritual life and religious education, the parish hired Lidwin Dirne in 1971 as a faith formation coordinator, a role she held with devotion until her retirement in 1984. Two Sisters of Providence also supported the Northern Deanery during this period. In 1973, the new sanctuary was officially blessed, and Fr. David Riffle briefly served before being reassigned.
 
A time of stability and expansion followed under Fr. William Carroll, the parish’s third pastor, beginning in 1975. He oversaw construction of additional parish space and was supported by dedicated staff like Lois and George Keenan, and secretary Doris Peterson, who was succeeded by Wanda Litalien in 1978.
 
Fr. Bill Wassmuth became the fourth pastor in 1979 and led the parish through a major period of growth. With his sister, Sr. Carol Ann Wassmuth, serving as pastoral assistant, the parish broke ground on a new, larger worship space in 1984. This new church, connected to the parish hall, was dedicated on May 12, 1985, with Bishop Treinen presiding. Just weeks later, a former Episcopal priest, Fr. Gordon Taylor, was ordained at St. Pius X—a historic and joyful moment.
 
The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1987 and welcomed Fr. Andy Schumacher as its fifth pastor in 1988. Known for his joyful spirit and musical gifts, Fr. Andy led the community through an era of compassion and outreach, establishing a weekly soup kitchen and dedicating 10% of envelope collections to support those in need. That same year marked the completion of the transformative RENEW program.
In 1995, Fr. Roger LaChance became the sixth pastor. Under his care, the parish blossomed with vitality and purpose for more than two decades. Deacons Walt Jackson, Gary and Lillian McSwain, and others enriched parish life with ministry and service. In 1996, Holy Family Catholic School opened, continuing the mission of Catholic education.
 
During these years, the parish also welcomed Sisters Roberta Lamanna and Rosemary Thielman and built a robust Faith Formation Center, funded entirely by parishioner generosity. Infrastructure improvements continued: the church was re-sided, a new roof and ceiling installed, a boiler upgraded, and even the priest’s house was repaired after a car accident caused damage in 2007.
 
The 2010s brought further growth and change. On July 1, 2010, Fr. Francisco (Pako) Godinez became the parish’s first Parochial Vicar, supporting Hispanic ministry. He was followed by Fr. Adrian Vazquez in 2012. That same year, the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of worship and community.
In 2012, Wanda Litalien retired after 34 years of service. New staff—including Denise Grzanich, Francesca Caffarena-Crespo, and Janet Flerchinger—carried on the work of stewardship and administration. Deacon Eric Shaber and his wife Charlotte also joined the community in 2013.
 
After 22 years of faithful service, Fr. LaChance retired in June 2017. He was succeeded by Fr. Francisco Flores, and later, in July 2021, Fr. Leonard (Len) MacMillan became the parish’s current pastor. In the meantime, Deacon Chris Stewart was ordained and now serves as Pastoral Associate alongside his wife, Mary, who holds an Ecclesial Ministry Certificate.
 
Today, St. Pius X continues to thrive as a beacon of faith, service, and community in Coeur d'Alene. From humble beginnings in a school gym to a vibrant, growing parish with deep roots and open doors, the journey of St. Pius X is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the generous hearts of those who call this church home.