About Us

In 1901, the Congregation of Holy Cross were invited by Archbishop Alexander Christie to administer the then Columbia University in Portland, Oregon.  Archbishop Christie designated the North Peninsula of Portland as a parish to be called Holy Cross.  The first pastor appointed in 1902 was Rev. John Thillman, CSC.  Catholics in the north peninsula attended Mass at the Chapel in West Hall at the University.  This served as the people’s chapel until a small frame church was built in 1904 on the southwest corner of Bowdoin and Stanford streets.

 Brother Joseph, in charge of the farm at the University, brought over his team of horses to break ground for the wooden frame building seating 300, lighted by kerosene lamps and heated by a large pot-bellied wood stove in the left rear corner of the church.

Archbishop Christie dedicated the new church on Sept. 4th, 1904.

1967 -1968, Life at Holy Cross

Mass times:  6:00am, 7:30am, 9:00 am 10:15 am and 11:30 am Sundays

Pastor: Fr. Valentine Moffenbeier

Assistant:  Fr. Timothy Murphy

In residence:  Fr. Leo Remington 

A quote in September 3, 1967 in welcome to new Curate, Fr. Timothy Murphy, by Pastor Moffenbeir

“It is not unusual for old priests who survive a jubilee or two to confess that their first appointment remained their best loved.  We hope, Fr. Murphy, you too will confess to the same thought.”

Easter Services- Resurrection Mass at 4:45am, 6:00am, 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:15 am and 11:30 am

April 4th, 1968 – Special prayers said at Mass for the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

June 5th, 1968 – Special prayers said at Mass for the assassination of Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy

June 30th, 1968 – Pastoral Re-assignments take place.  Announcement of Fr. Carl Wachter, Pastor and Fr. Andrew Fischer, Associate to take place July 7th, 1968.  Welcome reception for them to be Sept. 6th, 1968 and Fr. Leo Remington will be “re-welcomed” as he continues to be in residence at Holy Cross.

Spiritual Report for 1967: Baptisms 49, (41 infant and 8 adult) 16 marriage and 8 deaths 

Teaching Staff for 1967-1968 at Holy Cross School:

Grade 1         Sister M. Anna Hertel

Grade 2         Mrs. Louise Lang

Grade 3         Sister M. Bernadetta (Jerome)

Grade 4         Mr. Neil KIilbourne

Grade 5         Mrs. Ronald Needham

Grade 6         Sister Mary Eusebia   – Prinicipal

Grade 7         Miss Mary Ann Bernt

Grade 8         Sister Connie Marie (Charles)

Music Teacher: Sister Mary Julian

The Raphael Club is a social club for unmarried men and women – dues are $5.00 per year. Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month at St. Stephens.

St. Vincent de Paul Society quoted by Archbishop Robert J. Dwyer Feb. 13, 1967

“With dedication the Society of St. Vincent de Paul carries on the social mission of the charity of Jesus Christ.  We count it as one of the foremost agencies in the entire world devoted to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy…that the Society may become better known in Oregon, that it may recruit many more laymen for its apostolate is an object very dear to my heart. To this end, I hereby designate Feb. 18–25 as St. Vincent de Paul week, it is our prayer that God’s blessing and inspiration may crown the work.”

1968:  The Archdiocese of Portland called for an ACTION campaign …an assessment of $47,500 was given to Holy Cross parish.  In response, Holy Cross, 70 male parishioners made over 500 house calls to request contributions, based on the householders ability to fill out pledge cards.

“Holy Cross Folk Mass – The Holy Cross YCS groups will provide a Folk Mass, Sunday, Nov. 17th at 12:30 pm – for the young people of today, this expression takes the form of songs and prayers from the music which is familiar to them.”  Fr. Leo Remington

The Living Temple is a television presentation by Fr. Leo Remington – to be broadcast on Channel 2 (KATU) at 4:00 pm, Sunday afternoon.

Holy Cross cookbook now on sale for $1.50 per copy.

The New Holy Cross Parish Directories are available after Masses Dec. 1, 1968

First Layman – May 28th, 1968 -Mr. Dennis Schmidt to speak from the pulpit at Sunday Services (permitted under Vatican II changes)

He will speak on the campaign for United Good Neighbor and need for volunteers.

The Nocturnal Adoration Society’s First Annual Dinner will be held May 14th, 1968 at Eve’s Restaurant in the Peninsula Fred Meyers – guest speaker will be Archbishop Robert Dwyer.  All men of the parish invited to attend.

May 19th, 1968 – this is the week of the Rogation Days, days of special prayer for the preservation of farm crops.

Holy Cross hosts Guest Jubilarians: May 20th, 1968 – five current Silver Jubilarians will concelebrate Mass with

their superior, Archbishop Dwyer, who will preach the jubilee sermon.  The priests are:  Frs. Joe McMahon,

John O’Callaghan, Francis Hanley, Francis Maloney and John Goodrich.

VATICAN II   1962-1965 changes continue to be implemented

1979 Life at Holy Cross

Mass times: Saturday evening at 7:00 pm

Sunday morning Mass times: 6:00 am 7:30 am  9:00 am  10:15 am and 11:30 am  

Pastor:  Fr. Carl Wachter,  Associate:  Fr. Michael O’Brien 

Archbishop Cornelius Michael Power (served as archbishop 1974-1986) confirmed 8th graders at Holy Cross on October 30th, 1979.

Archbishop Power also celebrated Columbus Day Mass for the Knights of Columbus on October 12th at Queen of Peace church, with dinner and dance afterward.

Sept. 23rd, 1979  Archbishop Power was the celebrant and homilist at the 75th Anniversary of Holy Cross Catholic Church anniversary Mass.  Reception in school hall.  A commemorative 75th Anniversary booklet:  Holy Cross Parish; The Early Years (1904-1915) was sold for a dollar.  Photos of the early years were on display at the reception.

Holy Cross Cub Scouts Pack 120 donated hours in Oct., Nov. and Dec. for a landscaping: cleaning up, weeding and planting shrubs, bulbs, trees and flower on parish and school grounds. In 1980, they also committed to work groups on the grounds the 2nd Saturday of every month, led by Linda McCoy, Rich Jones, Cathy Kuffner and Chris Gastelum.

Holy Cross School Faculty for 1979-1980

Grade 1………..Sister Mary Juanity

Grade 2………..Mrs. V. Hayter

Grade 3………..Sister Mary Clarina

Grade 4………..Sister Rebecca Mary

Grade 5………..Mrs. M. Moored

Grade 6………..Sister Mary Eusebia and Miss Kathleen Schell

Grade 7………..Miss J. McElligott

Grade 8………..Mrs. M. Walker

Science…………  Miss Kathleen Schell

Title I…………..  Mr. Kenneth Kaiel

New School board members elected: Dave Denman, Richard Jones, officers: Don Dunevant (chairman), Kerry Stevenson (vice chairman) Jim Kuffner (Secretary)

Sister Mary Eusebia’s golden Jubilee Mass and reception was held May 20th.

The annual paper drive (for fund raising for Holy Cross School) raised $188.77 by turning in more than 2,700 lbs. of paper. Paper drives were held for years as fund raisers.

Fund raising also included parishioners who volunteered to work as inventory takers at the old Meier and Frank downtown in August of 1979, these 16 volunteers donated their 117.5 hours of pay to the parish totaling $340.75.  Other fund raisers included a Hot Dog Day, Arts and Crafts, Candy Sale, Dances, Breakfasts, Parish Bazaar, and Parish Auction.

Of interest, Marty Kovach a 4th grader at Holy Cross school, daughter of Parishioners Martha and John Kovach was  selected as a Junior Rose Festival Princess, later she was also selected as Rose Festival princess to represent St. Mary’s Academy in 1987.

1988 Life at Holy Cross

Mass times: 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 8:30am and 10:30 am Sundays 

Fr. Wayne Forbes leaves Holy Cross Parish after serving for 7 years.  A Mass of installation for new pastor Fr. Cathal Brennan was held on Sept. 14th, 1988 the feast day of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, 1988. 

The Holy Cross School Principal was Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM and her school secretary was Jeanne Albrecht.  Organizations and their leaders: 

• Administrative Council- Brigid Fortun, Altar Society – Velva Rees
• Hospitality – Martha Kovach
• St. Vincent de Paul – Wanda Humbargar
• Parents Club  – Sue Rupert 
• Music Ensemble leader:  David Firth 

St. Vincent de Paul collected 3,190 lbs of food for the Christmas food drive – food boxes were delivered to those in need on Dec. 24th, 1988.

1996 Life at Holy Cross

Mass times:  5:00 pm Vigil Mass, 9:00am and 11:00 am (in Spanish) Sundays 

Archbishop John Vlazny, former bishop of Winona, Minn. became the 10th Archbishop of Portland.  ‘Go and make disciples,’ is to be the theme of his episcopal service. 

Sept. 29th, 1996 – the Archdiocese of Portland celebrated throughout Oregon the 150 years of the founding of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. 

The Holy Cross School Principal was Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM and school secretary was Sr. Barbara Hand.

Organizations and their leaders: 

• Administrative Council- Stephen Kemper
• Altar Society – Carol Eby
• Hospitality – Marge Harris
• St. Vincent de Paul – George FortunIn
• Parents Club  – Dave Erickson
• Maintenance Committee – Terry Hoffart

In 1991, under the leadership of the Legion of Mary, Holy Cross joined a diocesan wide census.  Led by Martha Kovach and volunteers, a door to door canvassing of North Portland led to many inactive Catholics being invited to explore Holy Cross.

In 1992, Holy Cross held there first Spanish Mass and 50 people attended.  Our Latino community of believers has grown to hundreds of families in 2017.

In 1996,  a new ministry was offered at Holy Cross-Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound, which is still an active and vibrant ministry today.  Religion Director Barbara Harrison actively recruited volunteers to teach classes such as First Reconciliation and Eucharist together with Confirmation classes.  RCIA and returning members sessions were active.

2007 Life of Holy Cross

Mass times: Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, Sunday 8:30am, 10:00 am and 11:30 am (Spanish)
Fr. Dave Gutmann served nine years at Holy Cross.

Deacon Brett Edmonson, served at Holy Cross for 6-l/2 years.

Holy Cross Father John Wironen, CSC residing at the University of Portland, accepts assignment as Pastor of Holy Cross.

Ana Carmina Perez, becomes Holy Crosses Hispanic Ministry Coordinator.

Holy Cross School Principal: Sister Ruth Frank, SSMO

Development Director: Sr. Mary Ryan, SNJM

School Secretary: Debbie Walker

Choir Director Nancy Wissbaum sings in concert on Sat., Sept. 15th at St. Patrick’s Church in NW Portland, all proceeds went to St. Vincent de Paul.

New benches at the entrance to Holy Cross and the Queen of Peace garden in front of the Convent were installed – thanks to Dennis Torresdal, Harry Clark, Claude Faust, Martin Kuntz and Rupert Liddie.

Adoration was held the first Monday of each month in the Convent Chapel from 9am to 5pm.

The sale of closed Queen of Peace church property to the People of Praise took place. The property served as the first location of De La Salle High School for seven years.  The school moved to the renovated Kenton school on N. Lombard.  (see link to Catholic Sentinel story) http://catholicsentinel55.1upprelaunch.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=8121&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&S=1

The Archdiocese of Portland implements the Call To Protect training in all of the churches in Western Oregon.   (see link to Catholic Sentinel story) http://catholicsentinel55.1upprelaunch.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=8231&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&S=1