About Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon:
Saint Patrick’s Church is the oldest Catholic church building in the city still used for its original purpose. Founded in 1885 by Archbishop William Hickley Gross as a mission of the cathedral to serve Irish lumber and dockworkers in the “Slabtown” area (now the Pearl District), the cornerstone for the church was laid on St. Patrick’s day in 1889, and was dedicated “To the glory of God in honor of Ireland’s Apostle, St. Patrick” in 1891.
It began as a small mission church and school dedicated to the Sacred Heart. As the population grew, the registry expanded to include immigrants from Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. A dedicated Catholic school was built in 1918, initially operated by the Sisters of Mercy.
The church was designed by architect Otto Kleemann in the Second Renaissance Revival (or Beaux-Arts) style. It is the only remaining Kleemann-designed church in Portland. Originally planned as a brick structure, the material was changed to Clackamas County basalt after the foundation was laid. The interior was completed in 1914 with frescoes by Swiss artist Phillip Staehli, featuring the Transfiguration of Jesus and 14 Irish saints. The windows are among the earliest works of Portland’s renowned Povey Brothers Studio.
As the neighborhood became industrialized in the latter half of the 20th century, the local population dwindled. The parish school closed in 1957. Construction of I-405 and the Fremont Bridge further depopulated the area. By 1972, the parish had only 60 registered families and reverted to mission status. In 1980, the church found a new purpose when it was selected to serve Portland’s Hispanic community.
In 1985, the Latin choir Cantores in Ecclesia made the church their home, contributing to a resurgence of the parish.
The church and its rectory were listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 1974.
Traveling to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon:
Address: 1623 NW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: +1 (503) 222-4086
email: office@stpatrickpdx.org
Click here for the official website of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon.