Welcome to Sacred Heart Catholic Church!
We are so blessed to have you visit our website and get a hint of who we are and what we are about. We are well named under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It truly is all about "heart" here. Our desire is to grow in the awareness of our Lord's love for each of us each and every day. In the iconic painting of the Sacred Heart, Jesus holds his heart to us as a free gift, a gift of unconditional love and mercy.
How do we do this? We reach out with our hearts to each other, to our visitors and to those beyond our walls. We are the Body of Christ, and we respond with our hearts and our hands to the needs that manifest themselves. We work hard to build community locally through our liturgies and sacramental celebrations, our community building events, our education programs, and our social justice outreach. However, all revolves around the Sacred Heart of Jesus the source of our blessings.
We are considered a small parish of about 267 households. We are multigenerational, some families having been here for 5 generations. Established in 1893, we have grown with the world and the movements of the Catholic Church. But as has been said, we are small, but we are powerful. I hope you feel this as you browse our website. We're here to answer any questions and direct you in whatever you need. Just know we are glad you are here, and we welcome you into the Heart of Jesus.
How do we do this? We reach out with our hearts to each other, to our visitors and to those beyond our walls. We are the Body of Christ, and we respond with our hearts and our hands to the needs that manifest themselves. We work hard to build community locally through our liturgies and sacramental celebrations, our community building events, our education programs, and our social justice outreach. However, all revolves around the Sacred Heart of Jesus the source of our blessings.
We are considered a small parish of about 267 households. We are multigenerational, some families having been here for 5 generations. Established in 1893, we have grown with the world and the movements of the Catholic Church. But as has been said, we are small, but we are powerful. I hope you feel this as you browse our website. We're here to answer any questions and direct you in whatever you need. Just know we are glad you are here, and we welcome you into the Heart of Jesus.
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Mission Statement of Sacred Heart Catholic Church
We, the Church of the Sacred Heart, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, are a people of faith, graced by God to be His own: a joyful, sometimes struggling, sign of divine presence in our world. We seek a true knowledge of God by allowing the Good News from the voice of the Son to be heard in our midst, by immersing ourselves in the lives of all people, and by following the example of the Spirit in serving others, especially the "little ones". Acknowledging the example of the intimate, redemptive relationship lived out by Jesus Christ, we strive to be patient, forgiving, healing, freeing and uplifting in our lives and liturgies. By so doing, we glimpse the reality of the Kingdom and the cherished position of all people. |
Prayer of Sacred Heart Parish
Dear Lord, We, the community of Sacred Heart Parish, want to do your will. Fill us with the grace of trusting in our future and guide us on the road that will make us stronger and serve you better. Keep us at peace when we are unsure. Light our path so we know the way. Continue to teach us to be gentle with each other as we do your will. As you have been here for us, we pray that we will continue to be here for others in your name. Amen. |
Short History
Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1893. The Benedictine Fathers of Mount Angel were asked to staff the parish in 1894 and continued to do so until 1998. The present day church was originally located at SE Boise Street and Milwaukie Avenue. The pillars inside the church were cut from trees growing on the property. In 1910 a new location was purchased from the Oregon Central Railroad Company and the church building was moved to its recent site at 11th and Center. The rectory was built that year too. A school, hall and convent were added later completing the parish complex that stood for nearly 100 years. The high ground on the western edge of Brooklyn came to be called Benedictine Heights on Portland maps. This name remains today as a reminder of the early Catholic influence.
Sacred Heart Parish emerged as a force in the neighborhood during its early growth. Gregory Hall on Center Street was the center of much and varied activity over the years. In the 1920's the hall was leased to Kiser Studios for the production of silent films. Approximately twelve silent films were made in the sandlot next to the hall. A young Boris Karloff played in Flames, a movie about the logging industry which was filmed at Sacred Heart. In the 1940's, the Young People's Club sponsored many dances for the young folks of the city.
Events and films aside, Sacred Heart Parish has long served the needs of the poor in this area and elsewhere. After the stock market crash in 1929, Fr Gregory Robl, pastor from 1903 to 1945 was instrumental in providing food and finding jobs for people. After WWII, clothing, and blankets and food were packed for shipment from our rectory to the war torn countries of Europe.
Sacred Heart School closed in 1992 due to low enrollment. Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center was housed in the building for three years until it was forced to close because the building did not meet City of Portland seismic requirements. In 2004, the parish sold property for the creation of a senior living facility. Gregory Hall was torn down in early 2005, while Sacred Heart School was demolished in June of that year.
Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1893. The Benedictine Fathers of Mount Angel were asked to staff the parish in 1894 and continued to do so until 1998. The present day church was originally located at SE Boise Street and Milwaukie Avenue. The pillars inside the church were cut from trees growing on the property. In 1910 a new location was purchased from the Oregon Central Railroad Company and the church building was moved to its recent site at 11th and Center. The rectory was built that year too. A school, hall and convent were added later completing the parish complex that stood for nearly 100 years. The high ground on the western edge of Brooklyn came to be called Benedictine Heights on Portland maps. This name remains today as a reminder of the early Catholic influence.
Sacred Heart Parish emerged as a force in the neighborhood during its early growth. Gregory Hall on Center Street was the center of much and varied activity over the years. In the 1920's the hall was leased to Kiser Studios for the production of silent films. Approximately twelve silent films were made in the sandlot next to the hall. A young Boris Karloff played in Flames, a movie about the logging industry which was filmed at Sacred Heart. In the 1940's, the Young People's Club sponsored many dances for the young folks of the city.
Events and films aside, Sacred Heart Parish has long served the needs of the poor in this area and elsewhere. After the stock market crash in 1929, Fr Gregory Robl, pastor from 1903 to 1945 was instrumental in providing food and finding jobs for people. After WWII, clothing, and blankets and food were packed for shipment from our rectory to the war torn countries of Europe.
Sacred Heart School closed in 1992 due to low enrollment. Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center was housed in the building for three years until it was forced to close because the building did not meet City of Portland seismic requirements. In 2004, the parish sold property for the creation of a senior living facility. Gregory Hall was torn down in early 2005, while Sacred Heart School was demolished in June of that year.