About St. Francis of Assisi · Banks, Oregon
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Banks (historically known as Roy), Oregon, in rural western Washington County, about 22 miles west of Portland along US-26. Founded in 1908–1909 by roughly forty Dutch Catholic families, it remains a tight-knit, family-oriented parish rooted in the Eucharist and in the humble example of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi. The parish campus includes the church (consecrated in 1921), a parish school that opened in 1912, and the St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery (established 1920), and the community is currently preparing a Capital Campaign for a new Parish Community Center to expand those facilities.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Vuky
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a century-old rural parish that still lives out the simple, family-centered Catholicism of its Dutch founders, with daily and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, and regular Saturday Confession. Families can send their children to the parish school that has been on this campus since 1912, lay people serve on the Building Committee for a new Community Center, and parishioners share responsibility for a historic on-site cemetery with an annual Memorial Day Mass. It is a place where multi-generational families — some now in their fourth generation — remain rooted in the Eucharist and in service to one another as one family united in Christ.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM (also by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (begins after the 8:00 AM Mass)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Francis of Assisi Parish welcomes visitors and members alike with the words, 'We are called and challenged to experience the Eucharist as the center of our lives and worship. Together we strive to faithfully live the Gospel here in Roy as one family united in Christ.' The parish mission, in the words of the parish itself, is 'to accept the invitation of God the Father under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to continue the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ to spread the truth of the Gospel to everyone.' Pastor Fr. Michael Vuky invites newcomers to share their time, talent, and treasure in this 'vibrant community blessed with many organizations and activities.'
- Parish motto: 'It is in giving that you receive'
- Centering spirituality on the Eucharist, in imitation of St. Francis's love for the Blessed Sacrament
- Online giving link on the parish homepage
History
The parish was founded in 1908–1909 by about forty Dutch Catholic families in the farming community of Roy. The school opened in September 1912, and the present church was consecrated on October 21, 1921 by Bishop Augustine F. Schinner — at which time the parish was renamed from St. Ferdinand to St. Francis of Assisi. Through more than a century, the parish has remained a quiet, family-centered country parish with deep multigenerational roots.
- 1908: about forty Dutch families commit to building a parish and school
- 1909: parish canonically established
- September 1912: school opens; Sisters Anthony, Theresa, and Bernadine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon begin teaching
- October 21, 1921: Bishop Schinner consecrates the current church; parish renamed St. Francis of Assisi
- April 1951: new brick school building opens, built with parish labor and donations
- 1998: two-classroom modular added
- 1999: Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon conclude their service to the school
St. Francis of Assisi School
An integral part of the parish since 1912, St. Francis of Assisi School is an accredited private Catholic school in Banks, Oregon. In partnership with parents, it provides a strong educational foundation emphasizing traditional Catholic values. The school has been educating the children of the parish for over a century — fourth-generation students are presently enrolled, and the administration and faculty anticipate serving a fifth generation.
- Founded September 1912
- Staffed by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon from 1912 until 1999
- Current brick school built 1951 with four classrooms, library, office, half-size gym
- Modular classrooms added in 1998
- School website referenced as sfa-roy.org/about
St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery
The parish cemetery has served the community since 1920. Originally known as St. Ferdinand Cemetery, it took the name St. Francis of Assisi when the church itself was renamed in 1921. Each Memorial Day, Mass is celebrated in the cemetery and volunteers hand-trim around every headstone in preparation. Non-Catholic burials and ceremonies must be approved by the pastor in advance, and grave openings/closings are handled exclusively by cemetery representative J. D. Eisele.
- Cemetery address: 39370 NW Mountaindale Rd., Banks, OR 97106
- Parish mailing address: 39135 NW Harrington Rd., Banks, OR 97106
- Representatives: Ron Duyck (503) 858-0784; Ed Kemper (503) 307-9350; Parish office (503) 324-2231
- Committee: Warren Kemper (Chair), Kevin Duyck (Vice Chair), Margaret Duyck (Treasurer), Kristen Vance (Secretary)
- Grave opening/closing by J. D. Eisele; arrangements between mortuary and J.D. Vaults
- Glass containers prohibited; plastic flowers allowed only October–March
Parish Community Center Building Project
The parish has announced a capital campaign to build a new Parish Community Center on additional acreage just north of the existing campus. The parish was given the opportunity to procure an additional acre of land, and after that transaction is finalized the building footprint will be set. The Centennial of the 1921 church consecration was planned as the kick-off event for fundraising.
- Building Committee Chair: Kevin Duyck
- Committee members: David Duyck, Sam Meeuwsen, Diane Ramsperger, Courtney Schaefer, Dan Spiering, Bill Vandehey, Allan Vanderzanden, Joe Wren
- Online giving for the Capital Campaign hosted at abundant.co/sfaroyparishorg/give
- Tagline: 'It is in giving that you receive'
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by Rev. Michael Vuky as Pastor, with the parish office staffed by Office Administrator Katie Bernards. A Mater Dei Radio feature has also identified Fr. Augustus Dur serving the parish as Parochial Vicar.
- Rev. Michael Vuky — Pastor
- Rev. Augustus Dur — Parochial Vicar
- Katie Bernards — Office Administrator
Contact & Visit
The parish office is at 39135 NW Harrington Rd., Banks, OR 97106, and can be reached at (503) 324-2231 or by email at [email protected]. The parish is on Facebook at facebook.com/sfaroyparish/ and bulletins are posted on the parish website. From Portland, take US-26 West about 22 miles to the Roy exit (left-shoulder exit, just before the Hwy 6 turnoff), cross US-26 onto Mountaindale Rd. for 1 mile, turn left on Roy Rd. for 1 mile, then left on Harrington Rd.
- Phone: (503) 324-2231
- Fax: (503) 324-7032
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://sfaroyparish.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfaroyparish/
- Parish bulletin available on the parish website