About Queen of Peace · Salem, Oregon
Queen of Peace Catholic Church is a Eucharist-centered Roman Catholic parish located at 4227 Lone Oak Rd SE in Salem, Oregon, in the Archdiocese of Portland. Founded in 1963 as the third Catholic parish established in Salem, it has grown from 400 founding families to roughly 1,300 registered families today, supported by a parish school, convent, and worship spaces that have been expanded multiple times over six decades. The parish is pastored by Fr. Timothy Mockaitis, who has served since 2006, and it offers daily and Sunday Masses, faith formation for children and youth, adult ministry, and ongoing devotions including adoration and reconciliation.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title Queen of Peace)
- Rector
- Fr. Timothy Mockaitis
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
Queen of Peace is a Eucharist-centered parish that has served south Salem for more than 60 years, with daily and Sunday Masses, two weekday adoration periods, Saturday confessions, and faith formation for every age — from nursery care during Masses through adult ministry programs. Families can register their children for the parish school and sacramental preparation, while a weekly live-streamed Sunday Mass makes the parish accessible to homebound and traveling members. With about 1,300 registered families and a mission rooted in welcoming all to faith formation, ministry, sacraments, and evangelization, the parish offers both a long history of Catholic life in Salem and an active slate of ministries to join.
Mass times at Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
History of Queen of Peace Parish
Queen of Peace was the third Catholic parish established in Salem, Oregon, under the direction of Rev. Joseph E. Vanderbeck, pastor of St. Joseph Church. Land was purchased from the Browning family for $10 and, in 1961, Joseph Dodd chaired a fundraising committee for a new parish; construction began in 1963. The parish name was chosen because 'Queen of Peace' is a title for the Blessed Virgin Mary and 'Salem' comes from the Hebrew 'Shalom,' meaning peace. Fr. Francis J. Hanley was named the first pastor on September 3, 1963, and the parish opened with 400 families. By the early 1990s membership had reached 999 families, prompting construction of a new sanctuary, gathering area, and chapel dedicated in October 1997, and a further expansion was completed in 2020.
- Founded 1963 as Salem's third Catholic parish
- Land purchased from the Browning family for $10
- First pastor: Fr. Francis J. Hanley (1963–1966)
- New sanctuary dedicated October 1997
- Latest expansion completed in 2020
- Now about 1,300 registered families
Mission Statement
Queen of Peace describes itself as a Eucharist-centered faith community in the Roman Catholic tradition. Its mission calls parishioners to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and share the gifts of the Holy Spirit by welcoming all to faith formation, ministry, sacraments, and evangelization.
Mass & Worship Schedule
Queen of Peace offers a full weekly Mass schedule, with Sunday Masses at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM, a Saturday vigil Mass at 5:00 PM, and weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 AM. The Sunday 11:00 AM Mass is live-streamed each week with Fr. Timothy Mockaitis. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons before the vigil Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM (11:00 AM live-streamed)
- Tuesday–Friday: 8:30 AM
- Adaptive Liturgy Mass on 2nd Tuesdays (Sep, Nov, Jan, Mar, May) at 5:00 PM
- Confessions: Saturday 3:15–4:30 PM
- Adoration: Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Faith Formation & Ministries
The parish runs a tiered faith formation program that reaches every age group. Children's Ministry serves infants through Grade 5, Youth Ministry serves Grades 6–12, and Adult Ministry continues formation for parishioners of all ages. Childcare is also offered for infants through 4-year-olds during Sunday Masses and WCFF (Whole Community Faith Formation) sessions, with the nursery located off the Gathering Area.
- Children's Ministry (Infant – Grade 5)
- Youth Ministry (Grade 6–12)
- Adult Ministry
- Nursery for infants – 4 years during Sunday Mass and WCFF
- WCFF (Whole Community Faith Formation) sessions
Children's Ministry
Children's Ministry accompanies families with children from infancy through Grade 5, providing age-appropriate catechesis and sacramental preparation. Nursery care is provided during Sunday Masses and WCFF sessions for the youngest children.
- Serves infants through Grade 5
- Nursery care during Sunday Masses and WCFF
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry serves students in Grades 6 through 12, with programs that include a kickoff rally, scholarship opportunities, and ongoing formation activities throughout the year.
- Serves Grades 6–12
- Annual Kickoff Rally (e.g., early February)
- Youth scholarship program with February deadlines
Adult Ministry
Adult Ministry supports continued faith growth for parishioners beyond the sacramental years, with formation opportunities and study opportunities for adults of any age.
- Open to adults of any age
- Ongoing faith formation opportunities
Parish School
A Catholic school has been part of Queen of Peace since the parish's earliest years, when a school, parish office, and convent for the Sisters were constructed alongside the original church. The school continues to grow alongside the parish and remains part of the parish campus today.
- Queen of Peace School
- Originally built alongside the 1963 church
- Convent housed the teaching Sisters
Sacraments
Queen of Peace prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and continues to walk with them through marriage and the Anointing of the Sick. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist flows through Children's Ministry, while Confirmation preparation is part of the Youth Ministry track. Confession is heard every Saturday afternoon.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (Children's Ministry)
- Confirmation (Youth Ministry)
- Marriage preparation
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:15–4:30 PM
Parish Life & Stewardship
Parishioners are encouraged to formally register, support the parish financially through online giving, and participate in the parish's ministries. The parish's growth — from 400 to roughly 1,300 families — is tied to the involvement of lay leaders like Joseph Dodd, whose 1961 fundraising committee launched the original construction.
- Parish Registration available on the website
- Online Giving program
- Lay leadership and volunteer ministries
Contact & Visiting
Queen of Peace Catholic Church is located at 4227 Lone Oak Rd SE in Salem, Oregon, and can be reached by phone at (503) 364-7202 or by email through the parish office ([email protected]). The parish's official website, qpsalem.org, publishes the bulletin, Mass schedule, and registration information.
- Address: 4227 Lone Oak Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302
- Phone: (503) 364-7202
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.qpsalem.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis J. HanleySeptember 1963 – 1966
First pastor; oversaw construction of church, school, parish office and convent.
- Fr. Manik1966 – June 1969
Second pastor.
- Fr. BrouillardJuly 1969 – June 1970
Third pastor.
- Fr. Dan ReynoldsAugust 1970 – June 1978
Long-serving pastor during 1970s growth.
- Fr. Gary Jacobson1978 – 1980
Pastor in late 1970s.
- Vacant (several months)1980 – early 1981
Parish without a resident pastor.
- Fr. John BettsFebruary 1981 – 1994
Long tenure during growth from ~600 to ~999 families.
- Fr. George Wolf1994 – 2006
Oversaw 1997 dedication of new sanctuary, gathering area and chapel.
- Fr. Timothy Mockaitis2006 – present
Current pastor; led 2020 expansion and live-streamed Sunday Mass.
- Fr. TaaffeJuly 1964 – 1968
Associate pastor under Fr. Hanley.
- Fr. Hemming1968 – 1970
Associate pastor.
- Fr. BuxmanSeptember 1970 – 1976
Associate pastor.
- Fr. SteigerwaldJuly 1976 – 1978
Associate pastor.
- Fr. Rice1978 – 1979
Associate pastor.