Bishop White Seminary
| Bishop White Seminary | |
|---|---|
| Short name | BWS |
| Type | College Seminary |
| Status | Open |
| Rite | Latin (Roman) |
| Affiliation | Gonzaga University |
| Sponsoring diocese(s) | Diocese of Spokane |
| Partner dioceses | Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, Diocese of Orange, Diocese of Baker, and other Western U.S. dioceses (typically several across the region) |
| Operated by | Diocese of Spokane (Bishop White Seminary Operating Corporation) |
| City | Spokane |
| State / province | Washington |
| Country | United States |
| Address | 429 E. Sharp Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202 |
| Founded | 1956 (as high school seminary); college seminary from 1965 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | College (Propaedeutic Stage via Cor Christi, Discipleship Stage) |
| Degrees | Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Kossel Concentration) from Gonzaga University |
| Enrollment | Approximately 18 (Fall 2025); serves Diocese of Spokane and partner dioceses |
| Faculty | Resident priests (rector, vice-rector/dean of men, spiritual formation coordinator) plus collaborative faculty |
| Ecclesiastical province | Province of Seattle |
| Interdiocesan | Yes |
Bishop White Seminary is a Catholic college seminary and house of formation located at 429 E. Sharp Avenue in Spokane, Washington, operated under the Diocese of Spokane. It serves the Diocese of Spokane and multiple partner dioceses in the Western United States. Seminarians live in community at the seminary and take academic courses primarily at Gonzaga University (and collaborating institutions), earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy while receiving human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation in preparation for major seminary and diocesan priesthood.
The seminary operates two distinct but integrated programs for college-aged men: the first-year Cor Christi propaedeutic program and the multi-year Bishop White Discipleship program.
History
Bishop White Seminary is named for Bishop Charles Daniel White, the second Bishop of Spokane, who was consecrated on February 24, 1927, and served until his death on September 25, 1955. Just under a year later, on September 4, 1956, Bishop Bernard J. Topel (third Bishop of Spokane) founded Bishop White Seminary as a preparatory high school seminary.
In 1962 a new high school seminary, Mater Cleri, was built in Colbert, Washington. Bishop White then transitioned over a three-year period from a high school seminary to a college house of studies. By the fall of 1965 it had become a college seminary, while Mater Cleri continued as the diocesan high school seminary.
The seminary was originally housed in the historic Huetter Mansion on the current site. In 2002 the Diocese of Spokane launched a capital campaign for a new facility. The Huetter Mansion was moved across the street, and construction of the present Bishop White Seminary building was completed in May 2009. The altar was dedicated and the first Mass celebrated on May 4, 2009, by Bishop William S. Skylstad. On the Feast of St. John Vianney (August 4, 2009), during the Year for Priests, Bishop Skylstad presided at the solemn blessing of the new building.
In 2020 a nearby former convent was purchased and extensively renovated as McGivney Hall (named for Blessed Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus) to house the Cor Christi propaedeutic program. The building opened to occupants after renovations in recent years.
Bishop White Seminary is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
Campus and Formation
The main seminary building is located at 429 E. Sharp Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99202, near Gonzaga University. McGivney Hall (for the Cor Christi program) is located one block away.
Formation follows the Program of Priestly Formation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and emphasizes the four pillars of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation, with a strong focus on community life and fraternal unity. The Cor Christi program provides the Propaedeutic Stage for first-year college-aged men, forming them in the heart of Christ and giving a solid foundation for further discernment. Graduates of the Discipleship stage are prepared to advance to the Configuration stage of formation at major seminaries.
Academics
Bishop White is a collaborative seminary. Seminarians earn a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Kossel Concentration) from Gonzaga University. Undergraduate theology courses that fulfill Program of Priestly Formation requirements are provided in collaboration with St. Patrick’s Seminary & University (Menlo Park, California) and may transfer toward Gonzaga degree requirements. Some men begin studies at Spokane Community College before transferring into the philosophy major at Gonzaga. Additional academic partnerships have included the University of Mary.
Current Status
As of Fall 2025, Bishop White Seminary had approximately 18 seminarians, with the Diocese of Spokane accounting for roughly half and the remainder coming from partner dioceses (including the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the Diocese of Orange, and the Diocese of Baker, among others).
Very Rev. Daniel J. Barnett served as rector from 2015 until mid-2025. Effective July 1, 2025, Rev. Lucas E. Tomson, S.T.D. (a 2003 alumnus of the seminary) was appointed rector by Bishop Thomas A. Daly. Other formation staff have included a vice-rector/dean of men and a coordinator of spiritual formation (including Jesuit involvement).
The seminary continues to form men of communion for service as diocesan priests across the Western United States.