Read Dean Thomason's message to the parish regarding this exciting news.

More information about the future of the St. Nicholas property can be found here.

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Receives an Extraordinary Gift

SEATTLE, WA— Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, has received a major gift from long-time cathedral members Laura Ellen and Bob Muglia. Seventeen years ago, the cathedral joined with The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation to acquire the St. Nicholas Building, a historic school building immediately adjacent to the cathedral. In August of this year, the Muglias gifted their share of that joint venture to the cathedral. A small gathering took place Sunday, October 25, on the St. Nicholas grounds, at which the Muglias were recognized publicly for the first time as “silent partners” in the ownership of the property. To acknowledge and celebrate their recent gift, the Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Dean and Rector of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, said “This is the sort of legacy gift that frames the mission of a church across generations, and for that we are exceedingly grateful.”

Laura Ellen and Bob Muglia’s visionary leadership and extraordinary generosity were key in the acquisition of the St. Nicholas property in 2003, as an LLC partnership. Their original gift totaled $5 million.  The historic building has provided classrooms, auditorium space, and resource rooms for the cathedral parish, as well as space for two local non-profits, Bright Water Waldorf School and Gage Academy of Arts. The sublease income has been used to benefit the St. Nicholas property, including maintenance, improvements, and debt reduction.

At the October 25^th event, a plaque honoring the Muglias was unveiled on the St. Nicholas façade. In her remarks at the event, Laura Ellen Muglia said, “Participating in this project has been a blessing in our lives. It is our fervent hope and prayer that having full access to this historic and beautiful property will enable the people of St. Mark’s to chart the next stage of how they want to live, love, and serve in the world.”

The Muglia Family Foundation has now gifted outright to Saint Mark’s Cathedral their share of ownership in the St. Nicholas property. The ultimate goal for acquiring the St. Nicholas site was, in their words, “to promote the vision, mission, strategic plan, and charitable purposes” of Saint Mark’s. Their generous gift furthers that missional goal. The entire cathedral community is deeply grateful to them.