St. James

About St. James Catholic Parish

St. James Catholic Church is the historic Catholic parish of McMinnville, Oregon, founded in 1876 and serving the people of Yamhill County from its campus at 1145 NE 1st Street. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and is a genuinely bilingual community: weekend Masses are offered in both English and Spanish, the website itself is fully translated, and ministry and sacramental preparation is available in both languages. The parish's daily rhythm centers on the 8:30 am Mass Monday through Friday, with Saturday confessions, Saturday vigil Masses, and Sunday Masses, plus Eucharistic adoration, vespers, and a Spanish Mass each Thursday.

Parish History

St. James was established in 1876 to serve the Catholics of McMinnville and Yamhill County, and the parish produced a full centennial history written by Fr. Martin Cawley, O.C.S.O., covering the years before 1876 through 1976 — a scanned PDF of which is available on the parish website. Diocesan priests from St. James have a long-documented history of ministering to Native American communities in the region, including St. Patrick Mission (Cayuse) in Yamhill/Muddy Creek from 1881 to around 1940, and St. Michael the Archangel Mission at Grand Ronde in 1901–1908 and 1985–2000.

• Founded 1876 as the Catholic parish of McMinnville and Yamhill County
• Centennial history by Fr. Martin Cawley, O.C.S.O. (pre-1876 to 1976)
• Sent priests to St. Patrick Mission (Cayuse) 1881–c. 1940
• Sent priests to St. Michael the Archangel Mission, Grand Ronde (1901–1908, 1985–2000, and 2002–present)

Pastor's Welcome

In his welcome letter, current Pastor Fr. Jose Manuel Campos invites newcomers, returning Catholics, and seekers to a community 'rooted in faith, nourished by the Eucharist, and guided by the Holy Spirit.' The parish's stated motto is 'Invite, ignite, and inspire to live like Christ!' and the parish describes itself as a family of believers 'striving to grow in faith, hope, and charity — a place where hearts are transformed and lives are renewed.' The letter emphasizes encountering Christ in the liturgies, ministries, and fellowship of the parish.

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently served by two priests and one deacon, with a lay team covering parish administration, religious education, youth ministry, and facilities.

• Fr. Jose Manuel Campos — Pastor (ext. 224, [email protected])
• Fr. Justin Echevarria — Parochial Vicar (ext. 225, [email protected])
• Dcn. Raul Rodriguez — Director of Hispanic Ministry (ext. 226)
• Anayeli Tinoco — Office Manager (ext. 100, [email protected])
• Doug Young — Facilities Supervisor & Coordinator (ext. 110)
• Valeria Orosco — Religious Education Coordinator (ext. 234, [email protected])
• Mike Douglass — Director of Youth Ministry (ext. 233, [email protected])

Sacraments and Liturgies

St. James prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments of the Catholic Church, with bilingual staff for each. Marriage preparation is structured, requiring contact at least seven months before the wedding and including meetings with the priest, a Natural Family Planning workshop, and an Engaged Encounter retreat in the Portland area. Baptism requires calling the parish at least three months in advance and a baptismal preparation class; Quinceañera preparation is offered for the Mexican tradition of blessing young women on their 15th birthday, with both a blessing ceremony and a Quinceañera Mass available.

• Baptism — 3 months advance notice; English: Fr. Justin; Spanish: Deacon Raul; suggested donation $100
• Marriage — 7 months advance notice; priest meetings, NFP workshop, Engaged Encounter retreat
• Quinceañera — preparation classes required; blessing ceremony or Mass
• First Reconciliation / First Communion — two-year Sacramental Preparation program
• Confirmation — youth preparation classes
• Anointing of the Sick — emergency line 503-894-7820

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish runs a two-year Sacramental Preparation program for children: first-year classes are held on Mondays at 6:00 pm, and second-year classes are held on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. Children typically receive First Reconciliation and First Communion after completing the second year. The parish also welcomes any adult interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the faith into OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Religious Education Documents & Resources are published on the website for parents and catechists.

• Year 1 Sacramental Preparation — Mondays, 6:00 pm
• Year 2 Sacramental Preparation — Tuesdays, 6:00 pm
• OCIA — adult formation for those becoming Catholic
• Coordinator: Valeria Orosco (ext. 234)

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

St. James runs a vibrant youth ministry led by Director of Youth Ministry Mike Douglass. Middle school youth (grades 6–8) meet in the gym and cafeteria on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm during the school year; high school youth meet on Sundays. Registration packets are released the last week of August. Confirmation preparation is integrated into this ministry. For college students, there is a Young Adult Ministry centered at the Linfield Emmaus House serving Linfield University and Clackamas Community College students, with a focus on prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.

• Middle School Youth Group — Wednesdays, 7:00 pm
• High School Youth Group — Sundays
• Confirmation classes for youth
• Young Adult Ministry / College Ministry at Linfield Emmaus House
• Director: Mike Douglass (ext. 233)

Higher Calling Camp

Higher Calling Camp is a Catholic youth camp held the first week of August at Camp Yamhill, about 30 minutes from St. James. It began in the summer of 2000 with just 24 participants from two parishes — St. James in McMinnville and Our Lady of Lourdes in Vancouver — and has grown into a regional ministry drawing over 180 youth and adults from 24 churches. St. James Youth Minister Mike Douglass has served as Camp Director since the beginning, and St. James continues to send the largest contingent of youth and volunteers each year. The week includes daily Mass, reconciliation, adoration, and a unique ropes course experience; the only year missed was 2020 due to COVID-19. The 2025 camp marked 25 years.

• Held first week of August at Camp Yamhill (about 30 min from St. James)
• Started 2000 with 24 participants from 2 parishes; 2025 had 180+ from 24 churches
• Director: Mike Douglass (since the beginning)
• Features daily Mass, reconciliation, adoration, and ropes course

Parish Ministries and Outreach

The parish supports a wide range of lay-led ministries, from service to prayer to fellowship. St. Vincent de Paul assists those in need with person-to-person help, food, clothing, and emergency aid. The Knights of Columbus St. James Council and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas serve the parish through works of charity and fraternity. Bible Study, Morning Prayer, and the Hispanic Prayer Group (Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 pm) feed parishioners spiritually, while Liturgical Ministries and Music Ministry support the Mass itself. The Catholic War Veterans chapter welcomes Catholic men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Apostoles de la Palabra (Apostles of the Word) is a Catholic missionary movement dedicated to deepening love for Scripture.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Knights of Columbus — St. James Council
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas
• Bible Study
• Morning Prayer
• Hispanic Prayer Group — Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 pm
• Apostoles de la Palabra — Fridays, 7:00 pm
• Liturgical Ministries
• Music Ministry
• Catholic War Veterans

St. James Catholic School

St. James Catholic School is the parish school at 1145 NE 1st Street (phone 503-472-2661), opened in 1906 by three Franciscan Sisters who traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The present school building was constructed in 1949. After a long period of decline in religious vocations, the school transitioned to lay teachers and reorganized in fall 2019 as a multi-age learning community with four instructional communities: Preschool (3–4), Primary (5–6), Early Intermediate (7–8), and Intermediate (9–11). Students stay with the same teacher for two years, older students act as leaders, and younger students accelerate. The school welcomes children of all faiths, offers PE three times a week, music appreciation twice a week, art weekly, and technology instruction within each community. Tuition assistance is available through FACTS.

• Opened 1906 by Franciscan Sisters Clara, Corsina, and Alberta (from Milwaukee, WI)
• Present building constructed 1949
• Multi-age learning community since fall 2019
• Four communities: Preschool, Primary, Early Intermediate, Intermediate
• Mission: Christ-centered partnership with parents in students' spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth
• School phone: (503) 472-2661

Architecture, Art, and Worship Space

The St. James church interior is a documented example of post-Vatican II Catholic architecture and art in western Oregon. The Baptismal Font was designed by Phil Settecase; the Stations of the Cross were designed and woven by Marge Johansson; and the architectural glass is the work of Gerry Veley, installed in 1981. Designer consultant John Domin and architect Philip Settecase (b. 1932) are credited with the interior design. The result is a modern Catholic worship space that intentionally integrates fine liturgical arts into the experience of the Mass.

• Baptismal Font — Phil Settecase
• Stations of the Cross — designed and woven by Marge Johansson
• Architectural Glass — Gerry Veley, 1981
• Designer Consultant — John Domin
• Architect — Philip Settecase (b. 1932)

Contact, Office Hours, and Emergency Line

Parish offices are located at 1145 NE 1st Street, McMinnville, OR 97128. Office hours are Sunday (open after the 9:00 am and 12:00 pm Masses), Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:15 pm), and closed Friday and Saturday. For emergencies — anointing, hospitalization, serious injury, critical illness, or imminent death — the parish provides a 24/7 emergency pastoral line at 503-894-7820 (bilingual; Spanish-speaking staff available).

• Parish Office: 1145 NE 1st Street, McMinnville, OR 97128
• Phone: (503) 472-5232
• Office Hours: Sun (after Masses); Mon–Thu 9:00 am–4:00 pm; closed Fri/Sat
• Emergency Pastoral Line: 503-894-7820