About St. Henry · Gresham, Oregon
St. Henry Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in downtown Gresham, Oregon, part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Founded in 1912 by Father Henry Bruenagle, a priest sent from Nebraska, the parish today serves roughly 1,300 registered families across an ethnically diverse east Multnomah County community. The current pastor is Father Francesco DePuydt, OJSS, who is supported by fellow priests from the missionary community of the Work of Jesus the High Priest (OJSS) and sisters from the corresponding Family of Mary — the same religious family that staffs nearby parishes St. Joseph the Worker and St. Therese in Portland. St. Henry offers Mass in both English and Spanish, daily Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and one of the area's largest St. Vincent de Paul food pantries.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- St. Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024)
- Rector
- Rev. Francesco DePuydt, OJSS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Henry is a large, ethnically diverse, working-class Catholic parish in the heart of Gresham with more than a century of history behind it. Daily Mass is offered every morning, the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on YouTube, and a Spanish Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 1:30 PM and on Thursday evenings — making it a home for both English- and Spanish-speaking families. The parish runs a St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry that serves between 1,100 and 1,300 individuals every month, hosts an active Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters council, and gathers its people around faith formation, OCIA (formerly RCIA), youth ministry, and family-life retreats.
Mass times at St. Henry
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:15 PM (immediately following the Spanish Mass, also combined with Adoration)
- Saturday 3:00 PM (until approximately 4:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Monday – Saturday 7:00 AM to 7:45 AM (before the daily 8:00 AM Mass)
- Thursday 7:15 PM to 8:00 PM (following the Spanish Mass)
Parish History
St. Henry Catholic Parish was founded in 1912 and opened its original church doors in early 1913, the fruit of one priest's determined work to gather the scattered Catholic families of east Multnomah County. A century later, in January 2013, the parish marked its centennial with an open house and anniversary luncheon.
- 1912: Father Henry Bruenagle arrives from Nebraska; first Mass celebrated upstairs over a drugstore.
- 1913: Original church opens its doors.
- Pioneer parishioner Franz Olbrich (founder of Columbia Brick Works) donates bricks for parish construction.
- 1960s: Church remodeled in a simple, low-silhouette style matched to surrounding homes.
- 2013: Centennial open house and sold-out anniversary luncheon.
- Now serves nearly 1,300 registered families.
Clergy and Religious Community
The parish has historically been led by diocesan priests and is now entrusted to the Work of Jesus the High Priest (OJSS), an international missionary community with a special devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. The corresponding sisters' community, the Family of Mary, also serves at the parish.
- Pastor: Rev. Francesco DePuydt, OJSS
- Rev. Niall O'Riordan, OJSS
- Rev. Jean Bernard Dubos, OJSS
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Charles Zach
- Deacon Larry
Mass and Livestream Schedule
St. Henry offers one of the most robust Mass schedules in east Multnomah County, with daily Mass Monday through Saturday, two English Sunday Masses plus a Spanish Sunday Mass, and live streaming for those at home.
- Saturday Vigil – 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday – 8:30 AM (English)
- Sunday – 11:00 AM (English, livestreamed)
- Sunday – 1:30 PM (Spanish, livestreamed)
- Monday – Saturday – 8:00 AM (English; livestreamed)
- Thursday – 6:30 PM (Spanish, livestreamed)
Faith Formation and OCIA
St. Henry runs an active Faith Formation program for children and youth, plus the parish OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) process for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church. A dedicated OCIA Retreat is offered as part of the formation calendar.
- Children's Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry (Facebook page linked from the parish site)
- Catholic Family Life
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) with annual retreat
- Confirmation Retreat
- Advent Retreat
Liturgical Ministries
A variety of liturgical ministries support Sunday and daily Mass, with a separate Hispanic Ministry team coordinating the Spanish Mass and Spanish-language parish life.
- Liturgical ministries (coordinators listed on parish site)
- St. Henry Hispanic Ministry (separate Facebook page)
- Live-streamed Masses on the parish YouTube channel
Outreach and Charity
Charitable outreach is a hallmark of St. Henry's, anchored by the parish St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry — one of the largest in east Multnomah County.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry – serves 1,100–1,300 individuals every month
- My Brothers and Sisters Kitchen
- Respect Life
- Justice and Peace
- Community Garden
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Everyday Strength (cancer support group)
Parish Life and Fellowship
Beyond Mass, the parish offers a busy calendar of groups, small faith communities, and family events designed to build friendships around shared Catholic life.
- Coffee and Donuts (hospitality – text 'hospitality' to 84576 to sign up)
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters
- Women's Group (3rd Saturday after 8 AM Mass)
- Dinner for Eight (small faith-sharing groups for couples)
- Empty Nesters
- Saint Henry Library
- Catholic Trivia every Friday after daily Mass
Sacraments
St. Henry prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with regular opportunities for Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation in addition to Baptisms, weddings, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Baptism – contact the parish office
- First Reconciliation / First Communion – via Faith Formation
- Confirmation – with Confirmation Retreat
- Marriage – contact the parish
- Anointing of the Sick – every 2nd Sunday at 9:30 AM
- Reconciliation – Thursday 7:15 PM & Saturday 3:00 PM
- OCIA (RCIA)
Stay Connected
Parishioners can keep up with Masses, devotions, and announcements through the parish website, YouTube livestreams, Flocknote, and several Facebook pages dedicated to specific ministries.
- Official website: sthenrygresham.org
- YouTube channel (livestreamed Masses)
- Facebook – St. Henry Catholic Church
- Facebook – St. Henry Hispanic Ministry
- Facebook – St. Henry Catholic Family Life
- Facebook – St. Henry Youth Ministry
- Facebook – St. Henry OCIA
- Flocknote text updates (text 'hospitality' to 84576)
- Parish feedback email: [email protected]
Visit Us
St. Henry's doors are open daily for Mass, Adoration, Confession, and community life. The parish is located in downtown Gresham and can be reached by phone for sacramental and pastoral inquiries.
- Address: 346 NW First St., Gresham, OR 97030
- Phone: (503) 665-9129
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sthenrygresham.org
- Parking and accessibility information: consult the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Bruenagle1912–
Founding pastor; came from Nebraska to organize the Catholic families of east Multnomah County. Celebrated the first Mass above a drugstore in early 1913 and oversaw construction of the original church.
- Rev. Charles Zach
Longtime pastor who led the parish through its 2013 centennial celebration; cited as pastor in the 2013 Oregonian anniversary coverage.
- Rev. Francesco DePuydt, OJSS
Current pastor; supported by fellow priests of the Work of Jesus the High Priest missionary community (OJSS).