In the late 1940s, just after the end of World War II, the Spokane Valley was experiencing widespread expansion. Foreseeing a growing Catholic population, the Diocese of Spokane, purchased a five-acre tract of land for a new parish – St. John Vianney. 

Fr. Paul Reilly celebrated the first Mass in the Opportunity Town Hall on Trinity Sunday of 1949. The 50 parishioners utilized the hall until the auditorium was completed just in time for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass that same year.

​​​​​​The St. John Vianney School doors opened four years later, in August of 1953. At first, students first through fourth grade attended. Each successive year a new grade was added, so by 1957 the school enrolled students through eighth grade. The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin moved into the newly built convent (which now serves as parish offices) and graciously taught the children. 

By 1959, the school and parish were no longer in their infancy and the property on Walnut Rd now included the church, parish school, convent and gymnasium (named after the school’s first principal, Sr. Michaelina). 

The early years were building years, but by the late 1970s, many programs and improvements to the church building were realized. One such endeavor is the Parish Assistance Program, an outreach ministry begun by Deacon “Brownie” Braungardt. This ministry continues today.

During the pastorate of Fr. George Haspedis, it was apparent that a new facility was needed to support the works and growth of the parish. While he spearheaded the planning process for a new building, Fr. George is also remembered for bringing the parish out of the dark ages with the purchase of its first computer - an IBM XT. 

In 1986, with the arrival of its first lay principal, Mallene Herzog, the parish school began a new era. At this time, only one Sister remained, so the convent was used for pre-school and kindergarten classrooms. Responding to the increased demand for schooling for younger children, the parish began an EduCare Program housed at St. Paschal Parish. The parish offices relocated into the convent space, where they remain today. 

In the spring of 1988, under the creative and watchful eye of Fr. John Steiner, construction of a new church began. The current building was dedicated on October 26 of the same year.

Several additions to the original church building have been noted. A columbarium was added, the mortgage was paid off, the parish share of the bankruptcy settlement was paid, and the rectory was remodeled and put up for sale. Christmas Masses in 2008 were celebrated in a newly remodeled sanctuary complete with a new altar. Once again, the generous donations of dedicated parishioners allowed for such improvements. St. John Vianney has grown from the original 50 parishioners to more than 500 families.   

Just two years after the Diocese of Spokane was established, Bishop Augustine Schinner asked the Franciscans in California to assist him in his efforts to establish parishes in his new diocese. On July 16, 1916, Franciscan priest, Fr. Capistran Damek, O.F.M., - one of three to answer the Bishop’s plea – arrived in Spokane to become the first pastor of St. Paschal Parish. The parish is named after St. Paschal Baylon, a 16^th-century Spanish Franciscan brother. On July 16, the first parish Mass was offered in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Stolz, who resided in Delmonte, a small community near the Spokane River. Twenty-seven members of the faithful attended the Mass.

Father Capistran, an experienced builder, wasted no time in preparing to erect a church. Parish records indicate that for $800 he purchased a 156’x 335’ parcel near what is now Felts Field. The Franciscan dug the basement himself with a team and plow. Bishop Schinner dedicated the church on November 30, 1916. On December 3 of that same year, St. Paschal’s first organization, the Altar Society, began with Elizabeth Stolz as president. On March 20, 1927, the parish Holy Name Society was founded, electing John Drotter to the office of president.

The year 1938 found parishioners eager to build a school and to move their church to a more central location in the parish. Then pastor, Fr. Frederick Bromham, O.F.M., bought two acres of property on the corner of Park and Marietta and work began. A two-room school was erected and dedicated on August 18, 1940, opening in September to forty-two students. Within two years, two more classrooms were added.

In January of 1940, the original church building was leased to the U.S. government for housing. Over the years more property adjacent to the Park-Marietta location was added. In 1943, the first church was sold and Mass was said in the school basement – an arrangement that lasted for eleven years. Property and a house south of the school were purchased for a convent for the Holy Names Sisters who taught in the school. By fall 1944, the school included all eight primary grades, totaling one hundred thirty children. In 1949, a portion of St. Paschal’s geographical territory was carved off to become S.t John Vianney Parish.

Fundraising for a new church began in 1952. A total of $174,467.23 was collected and construction of the edifice followed soon thereafter under the guidance of Franciscan pastor, Fr. Edgar Sever. Spokane architect, Carroll Martell, designed the building in European style with high ceilings and tall narrow windows. Bishop Charles D. White consecrated the new church on March 20, 1954. In 1955, the parish acquired a house south of the convent that was used for the school. A new addition that included a basement, new kitchen, and enlarged restrooms was completed in 1957. More construction of facilities was to follow: a new rectory was finished in 1963, and a new convent in 1967.

The windows were replaced in 1998 with new acrylic ones, using computer graphic software. A beautiful rose window was added in the choir loft that replicates the Holy Spirit design found in one of the major windows in St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City). 

Given dwindling numbers of available students, the school closed in June 2008 after serving thousands of students since opening in 1940. A parish Educare program continues in operation.

After serving the parish for more than half a century, in 1968 the Franciscan Fathers handed the parish over to the care of the Diocese of Spokane. Since then ten priests, one of them a Jesuit, have served as pastor. The parish is now twinned with St. John Vianney Parish. Several parish ministries or guilds started in the days of the Franciscans – particularly the Altar Society and Knights of Columbus – are still active.