A sunny January day proved to be a good day to take in nature on the grounds of the former St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore. The inscriptions above the portals to the seminary read "Pro Eis Sanctifico Me Ipsum" or "For them I sanctify myelf". In the early 1920s Bishop Edward John O'Dea donated the land that would become a seminary for diocesan priests. In 1931, the seminary opened and in 1935 the first class of 12 men was ordained.
In the early 1950s the seminary, designed for 111 students had over twice as many enrolled. However, by 1968 the facility was used solely as a high school seminary and continued enrollment declines forced the closure. In 1977 the State of Washington bought the seminary and 316 acres of the property for $7,000,000. It was dedicated as a state park on April 16, 1978. The balance of the property was later sold to Bastyr University.
Of the buildings on the property, only the gymnasium is currently open to the public. A pool and the main building remain closed for repairs. Most users take advantage of the miles of trails that run through the dense forest, bring their children to one of the largest children's playground in the state, or utilize the ballfield. The property is bordered on it's western edge by Lake Washington where one can take in mallards and buffleheads, loons, float planes and kayaks.
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