Immaculate Conception

About Immaculate Conception Parish

Immaculate Conception is the historic Catholic parish of Portland, Indiana, and the seat of Catholic life in Jay County. Founded in 1875 by a Precious Blood missionary and now in its 150th decade of continuous worship, the parish sits on East Walnut Street in the heart of town and continues to welcome families from Portland and the surrounding rural communities. Today it serves as one of four churches of the Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate under the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.

History

Immaculate Conception was founded in 1875 by Rev. Paul Reuter, C.P.P.S., and the first church was built that same year. For generations the parish was staffed by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and served as the mother church for Saint Joseph in Winchester and Saint Mary's in Dunkirk, also operating a parish school. In 1964, ground was broken for the present church building, and in 2020 the parish was clustered into the Holy Family Pastorate under diocesan clergy.

• 1875 – Parish founded under Rev. Paul Reuter, C.P.P.S.; first church built.
• Late 19th–20th c. – Parish ministers mission churches at St. Joseph (Winchester) and St. Mary's (Dunkirk) and runs a parish school.
• 1964 – Ground broken for the present church on East Walnut Street.
• 2020 – Clustered into the Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate (Holy Family Pastorate); transition from C.PP.S. to diocesan staffing.

Parish Ministries & Organizations

Immaculate Conception has a strong tradition of lay-led parish life, with active organizations covering spiritual formation, youth work, music, and parish finances. New parishioners are warmly invited to join any of these groups by contacting the pastorate office.

• Knights of Columbus
• Altar Rosary Society
• Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
• Music Ministry
• Finance Committee
• Religious Education Teachers / Helpers

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education for the parish children is organized through the pastorate, with volunteer catechists and helpers drawn from across the four parishes. Preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing faith formation is coordinated through the pastorate office.

• Religious Education Teachers/Helpers (parish-level volunteers)
• Pastoral coordination across the Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate

Sacraments

Sacramental preparation is handled at the pastorate level, with the parish office serving as the central point of contact for all four churches. A dedicated sacramental emergency line is available outside of normal office hours.

• Baptism
• First Communion / Confirmation
• Marriage preparation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Reconciliation (Confession)

Clergy & Staff

Immaculate Conception is served by the clergy of the Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate, currently led by Fr. Peter Logsdon, who succeeded the late Fr. Christopher Roberts (d. 2020). The pastorate office in Portland fields calls for all four parishes and can direct sacramental and pastoral inquiries to the appropriate church.

• Rev. Peter Logsdon – Pastor, Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate
• Rev. Christopher Roberts – Former pastor (deceased 2020)

Holy Family Pastorate (Jay and Randolph Catholic Pastorate)

In 2020, Immaculate Conception was clustered into a four-parish pastorate grouping the Catholic communities of Jay and Randolph counties. Each church retains its own identity, schedule, and ministries, but the parishes share clergy, staff, and the same pastorate office.

• Holy Trinity – Bryant, IN
• Immaculate Conception – Portland, IN
• St. Joseph – Winchester, IN
• St. Mary's – Union City, IN
• Pastorate office: 506 E Walnut St., Portland, IN 47371 — (260) 726-7055

Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana

Immaculate Conception belongs to the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, a Latin-rite Catholic diocese covering much of west-central and east-central Indiana. The diocesan vocations office and victim assistance coordinator are listed on the pastorate website for parishioners' reference.

• Diocese: Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
• Office for Vocations: Fr. Dominic Petan, Director; Fr. Derek Aaron, Associate Director (3155 S. 200 W., Kokomo, IN 46902; 765-477-0070)
• Victim Assistance Coordinator: Jackie Montrie, (765) 464-4988

Visit, Location & Contact

Immaculate Conception is located on East Walnut Street in Portland, Indiana, the county seat of Jay County. The parish is easiest to reach by taking State Road 27 (Meridian Street) into town and turning onto Walnut Street. The pastorate office is open weekdays and a sacramental emergency line is available after hours.

• Address: 506 E Walnut St., Portland, IN 47371
• Parish phone: (260) 726-7341
• Pastorate office phone: (260) 726-7055
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jayandrandolphcatholic.com / stmuc-stjw.org
• Office hours: Mon.–Thu. 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri. 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Sacramental emergency: (260) 726-7055, option 3