The FIRST Bishop of Nesqually was Rt. Rev. A.M.A. Blanchet (1797-1887). He was born August 22, 1797; ordained priest June 21, 1821; and consecrated Bishop of Walla Walla September 27, 1846 which extended east of the Cascade Mountains. His brother, Archbishop F. N. Blanchet, had the territory west of the Cascade Mountains.Bishop A.M.A. Blanchet was "formerly a canon of the Montreal cathedral. Accompanied by Father A. B. Brouillet and two students from Montreal and Father Rosseau with five Oblate Fathers from St. Louis, the new bishop arrived at Fort Walla Walla, on September 5, 1847. Aided by his experienced brother, he soon acquainted himself with the new conditions and the great task before him, and during his long apostolic career he showed himself at all times a man of great self-sacrifice and wisdom under the most trying circumstances."
In 1849, the Bishop A.M.A. Blanchet moved permanently to Fort Vancouver. He transferred in the See of Nesqually on May 30, 1850. The next day, the name was changed to that of the Diocese of Nesqually, with Vancouver as the episcopal city.
He was thrilled at the arrival, on December 8, 1856, of several Sisters of Providence from Montreal, who began their mission of charity in the Northwest.
Broken in health and strength, Bishop A.M.A. Blanchet resigned his office in 1879. In 1884, the large Gothic cathedral was built of brick and stone to replace the wooden structure. Bishop A.M.A. Blanchet died in Vancouver, W.T. on February 25, 1887 and was buried beneath the cathedral. His body was later removed to Seattle to the new cathedral, now the Diocese of Seattle.
Instructions for logging waymark: visit St. James Church. A photograph is required taken in front of the church with you and/or your GPSr in the picture.