St. Aloysius

St. Aloysius Catholic Church — Estacada, Oregon

A Roman Catholic mission parish in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, blessed in 1924 and now part of the East Clackamas Parishes Cluster with St. Michael (Sandy) and St. John the Evangelist 'in the Woods' (Welches).

History of the Parish

Catholic life in the upper Clackamas valley traces back to 1878, when Fr. Louis Verhaag offered the first Mass in the home of Paul Dunn in Sandy. In the 1890s Mass was said in a log schoolhouse and private homes near Estacada. The Benedictine Fr. Anselm Wachter, OSB, shepherded missions at Milwaukie, Kronenberg, Sandy, Estacada, and Troutdale on foot for 13 years until his death in 1907. The Church of St. Aloysius itself was blessed on July 13, 1924 by Archbishop Christie, and from 1933 the parish at Estacada served as the mother church for Sandy (St. Michael's) and the mountain chapel of St. John. The parish marked its 100th anniversary in July 2024.

• 1878 — First Mass in Sandy offered by Fr. Louis Verhaag
• c. 1890 — Early Masses in log schoolhouse and homes near Estacada
• 1907 — Death of missionary Fr. Anselm Wachter, OSB
• July 13, 1924 — Church of St. Aloysius blessed by Archbishop Christie
• 1933 — Sandy (St. Michael) attached to Estacada as a mission
• 2018 — Fr. Gregg Bronsema assigned as Administrator of the three-parish cluster
• July 2024 — 100th anniversary celebrations including a St. Patrick's Day Potluck and Bingo and a parish history book

East Clackamas Parishes Cluster

St. Aloysius is one of three parishes in the East Clackamas Parishes Cluster, sharing one pastor (Fr. Gregg Bronsema) and many ministries. The cluster website at mjaparishescluster.org is the hub for Mass times, bulletins, Faith Formation, and parish news.

• St. Michael the Archangel — Sandy, OR (18090 SE Langensand Rd) — Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM English; Sunday 10:00 AM English and 1:30 PM Spanish; Mon/Tue/Thu 8:30 AM; 1st Saturday 8:30 AM Healing Mass
• St. John the Evangelist 'in the Woods' — Welches, OR (Zigzag/Woodsey Way area) — Sunday 8:00 AM English
• St. Aloysius — Estacada, OR — Sunday 11:30 AM English and Wednesday 11:00 AM English

Clergy & Leadership

The parish cluster is led by Fr. Gregg Bronsema, who has served since 2018 and is registered as President of the incorporated St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Estacada, Oregon with the Oregon Secretary of State.

• Fr. Gregg Bronsema — Pastor/Administrator since 2018; ordained 2015 by Archbishop Alexander Sample; born 1956 in Chicago; architecture degree from University of Oregon; Fuller Theological Seminary 1986; converted from evangelical Christianity; pre-theology at Mount Angel Seminary; theology degree from the Angelicum in Rome.
• Fr. Manuel Becerra — Pastor before Fr. Gregg (c. 2016–2018).

Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation

Faith Formation across the cluster serves children, youth, and adults. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is offered through these programs, along with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church.

• Elementary Faith Formation (children preparing for Reconciliation and Eucharist)
• Confirmation preparation for youth
• RCIA / OCIA for unbaptized adults and those received into full communion
• Baptism preparation classes for parents
• Adult Faith Formation classes
• Marriage preparation (six months' notice to the pastor required)
• Anointing of the Sick and Funerals arranged through the pastor

Parish Ministries & Outreach

The cluster's ministries serve prayer, fellowship, charity, and outreach — many of them cross the three parishes and welcome new volunteers.

• Prayer Shawl Ministry
• Rosary Makers
• Homebound Ministry
• Prayer Chain
• St. Vincent de Paul Society (distribution)
• Senior Group Outings
• Youth Group
• Bible Study
• Parish Potluck and Bingo (St. Patrick's Day)

Contact & Visit

St. Aloysius is registered with the State of Oregon as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation (Registry #51670397, registered April 29, 2008), with Fr. Gregg Bronsema listed as President and a mailing address at PO Box 1199, Estacada, OR 97023.

• Address: 192 NW 3rd Avenue, Estacada, OR 97023 (corner of 3rd Ave. & NW Zobrist St.)
• Mailing: PO Box 1199, Estacada, OR 97023
• Phone: (503) 630-2416
• Website: http://mjaparishescluster.org/
• Cluster bulletins and formation links are posted on the cluster website