About St. James · Molalla, Oregon
Saint James Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, located at 301 Frances Street in the small rural community of Molalla, Oregon. The parish is known for its strikingly modern hyperbolic-paraboloid-roofed church designed by Oregon City architect Frank Schumacher and dedicated in 1962. It serves a bilingual Catholic community with weekend Mass offered in both English and Spanish, and operates faith formation for children, youth and adults along with parish outreach groups such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus Council #3509.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (the parish's name was changed from St. William's to St. James the Greater at the donor's request when the current church was dedicated)
- Rector
- Fr. Aniceto Guiriba (Fr. Cit)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. James welcomes visitors and parishioners into a bilingual Catholic community that celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, with weekday and weekend Mass schedules to fit a working rural life. The parish maintains a full sacramental life — seven sacraments, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, a youth group under Adriana Mendoza, faith formation for children and adults (including RCIA), and outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food distribution and Knights of Columbus Council #3509 (founded 1940). Whether you are a longtime Catholic in Clackamas County, a Spanish-speaking family looking for Hispanic ministry, or just visiting Molalla, you'll find an active parish grounded in prayer and service.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM–5:15 PM (per parish bulletin schedule)
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month: 9:30 AM Adoration, 7:00 PM Benediction, 8:00 PM Reposition
- Weekly Friday: 9:30 AM Adoration, 7:00 PM Benediction, 8:00 PM Reposition
- Youth Eucharistic Adoration on selected evenings, 7:30 PM–8:00 PM
History of Saint James Parish
Catholic life in Molalla began with a 1927 Chapel Car Mission by Rev. Charles M. Smith. By 1939 there were 42 Catholic families; Archbishop Howard directed that a church be built, and property was purchased on Molalla Street in March 1938. The first church, then known as St. William's, was erected in the spring of 1940 with help from the Catholic Church Extension Society and dedicated November 3, 1940 by Archbishop Edward D. Howard. After the community outgrew it, the present St. James church was designed by Frank Schumacher of Oregon City, finished in 1962, and dedicated July 25, 1962 — at which point the parish's name was changed to St. James the Greater. Molalla became an independent parish in 1966.
- 1927 — Chapel Car Mission opens in Molalla (Rev. Charles M. Smith).
- 1938–1940 — Property purchased; first church (St. William's) built and dedicated by Archbishop Howard on November 3, 1940.
- 1940 — Knights of Columbus Council #3509 founded at the parish.
- Mid-1950s — Frances Street property purchased under Father Zeller.
- 1962 — Current St. James church completed (Frank Schumacher, architect) and dedicated July 25; parish renamed St. James the Greater.
- October 12, 1962 — Columbus Day Storm destroys bell tower (hypar shell survives).
- 1966 — Molalla established as an independent parish.
- 1973 — Parish hall dedicated (former St. William's building relocated to current property).
- September 28, 1979 — New rectory blessed.
- Spring 1982 — Parish debt fully paid; Archbishop Cornelius Power celebrates thanksgiving Mass.
Architecture of the Church
Designed by architect Frank Schumacher of Oregon City, the present St. James church seats 300 and is distinguished by a hyperbolic-paraboloid ('hypar') concrete shell roof. The dramatic shape proved its strength during the Columbus Day Storm of October 12, 1962, when winds tore the bell tower down and crashed it through the roof — but the hypar shell held fast. The building was repaired (~ $70,000) with insurance funds.
- Architect: Frank Schumacher of Oregon City
- Capacity: 300 seats
- Notable feature: hyperbolic-paraboloid concrete shell roof
- Bell tower destroyed by 1962 Columbus Day Storm; roof shell survived
Parish Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Fr. Aniceto Guiriba ('Fr. Cit'), supported by a team of archdiocesan staff including a Pastoral Associate, a Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation, a Secretary, a Financial Services manager and an Administrative Assistant.
- Fr. Aniceto Guiriba (Fr. Cit) — priest in charge
- Scott Scofield — Pastoral Associate
- Miguel Serrano — Pastoral Assistant / For Formation
- Mary Gardner — Secretary
- Lisa Majerus — Financial Services
- Alma Gomez — Administrative Assistant
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish Sacramental Prep page walks families through each of the seven Catholic sacraments. Children in K–8th grade prepare for First Eucharist and Confirmation; adults prepare through the parish RCIA program; and couples preparing for marriage begin by contacting the office. Anointing of the Sick can be requested through the office or, in emergencies, through the parish emergency line.
- Baptism — Baptismal Class offered periodically (see calendar)
- Eucharist (First Communion) — Children's formation K–8
- Confirmation — high-school preparation, classes begin in September
- Penance — Saturday 4:30 PM–5:15 PM
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — 503-829-2080 (office); 971-206-4991 (emergency)
- Holy Orders — vocations information available
- Adult RCIA — classes begin in September
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. James covers children (K–8th grade), high-school students preparing for Confirmation, and adults preparing through RCIA. Registration runs June through August, and classes begin September 14 each year. Materials are archdiocesan-approved.
- Children's Formation / First Eucharist (K–8) — starts September 14
- Confirmation preparation (high school) — starts September 14
- Adult RCIA — starts September 14
- Registration period: June–August
- Office contact: 503-829-2080 (Mon–Thu 10 AM–1 PM)
Youth Ministry
The St. James Youth Group welcomes all parish youth ages 12–17 under the leadership of Adriana Mendoza. Youth Group meetings are held on Thursday evenings (6:45 PM–9:15 PM) with periodic Youth Eucharistic Adoration and a yearly Vacation Bible School in July.
- Open to ages 12–17
- Led by Adriana Mendoza
- Weekly meetings: Thursdays 6:45 PM–9:15 PM
- Youth Eucharistic Adoration: 7:30 PM–8:00 PM
- Vacation Bible School: one week in July (Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM)
Knights of Columbus Council #3509
Founded in 1940, Knights of Columbus Council #3509 supports St. James parish through major fundraisers and community outreach including the famous July Chicken BBQ, rummage sale and sausage feed. Charitable giving has supported the pregnancy care center, youth scholarships, and Quilts of Valor. Meetings are listed on the parish calendar.
- Founded 1940
- Annual events: July Chicken BBQ, rummage sale, sausage feed, SJD Burger/Taco sale, parish auction
- Charitable focuses: youth scholarships, pregnancy care center, Quilts of Valor
- Council phone: (503) 829-9471
St. Vincent de Paul Outreach
Inspired by Gospel values, the parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a lay organization that provides person-to-person service to the needy in Molalla and rural Clackamas County. Members distribute food boxes on the third Saturday of each month (5:00 PM–7:00 PM) and partner with other local churches to reach families in need.
- Monthly food distribution: third Saturday 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
- Food-box preparation: the Tuesday before, 4:30 PM–7:00 PM
- Affiliated: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Cooperates with other local churches in rural Clackamas County
Hispanic / Spanish-Language Ministry
Spanish-speaking parishioners are served through a Spanish Mass each Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, plus a Spanish charismatic prayer group (Carismatico) and the Hispanic Legion of Mary meeting at the Parish House.
- Misa en español: Sábado 7:00 PM; Domingo 12:30 PM
- Carismatico Spiritual Growth: Jueves 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
- Carismatico Intercession Group: Viernes 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Legión de María Hispana (Parish House)
Other Parish Groups & Activities
Beyond the major ministries, St. James hosts a range of parish organizations that animate parish life — liturgical, service, and social. Many of these are visible on the parish calendar alongside Mass and adoration.
- Altar Society — monthly meetings and parish care
- Music Ministry — liturgical music at Masses
- Sacristans
- Sew and So What Club — sewing/quilting service group
- Parish Council / Finance Council
- Parish Auction Committee
- Volunteer Appreciation Brunch (each June)
Parish Calendar Highlights
The parish calendar blends worship, formation, outreach and fellowship. Recurring patterns include Friday Adoration, Carismatico and Youth Group evenings on Thursdays and Fridays, monthly St. Vincent de Paul food distribution on the third Saturday, and seasonal fundraisers.
- First Thursday: All-day Adoration
- Thursday evenings: Youth Group & Carismatico
- Friday mornings–evening: Adoration with 7 PM Benediction
- First Friday/Saturday: Mass and devotions
- Third Saturday: St. Vincent de Paul food distribution
- Second Thursday: Knights of Columbus meeting
- July: Vacation Bible School and Chicken BBQ
Office, Address & Pastoral Care
The parish office is located at 301 Frances St., Molalla, OR 97038-9321. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and Friday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM. For pastoral emergencies or Anointing of the Sick outside office hours, parishioners may use the dedicated emergency line.
- Address: 301 Frances St., Molalla, OR 97038-9321
- Office phone: 503-829-2080
- Emergency / Anointing line: 971-206-4991
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 10 AM–1 PM, Fri 10 AM–12 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. M. E. Flemingpre-1940
Pastoral direction from Canby during the 1940 church project
- Fr. Michael E. Raleighuntil January 27, 1943
Appointed pastor of St. Patrick's, Canby, with the Molalla mission
- Fr. Cornelius Shea1943–1949
Succeeded Fr. Raleigh
- Fr. Martin Bohrofen1949–1953
Replaced Fr. Shea on September 1, 1949
- Fr. Zeller1953–~1959
Guided the purchase of the Frances Street property; began the rectory/building fund drive
- Fr. Blivenfrom June 1959
Pastor of Canby and Molalla (St. William's remained a mission parish)
- Fr. Bernadine Singletonfrom 1966
First resident pastor when Molalla became an independent parish
- Fr. Ernest Jackson~1968
Administered the parish for about six months during Fr. Singleton's illness
- Fr. Thomas McMahon~1968–1969
Administrator
- Fr. Mano Romanofrom 1969
Appointed pastor
- Fr. Jerome Schmitz1970–December 1, 1979
Master planner of parish facilities; built parish hall from former St. William's and the new rectory (blessed September 28, 1979); asked for a smaller parish and was sent to Vernonia
- Fr. Donald Denmanfrom December 1, 1979
Appointed pastor after Fr. Schmitz's transfer
- Archbishop Cornelius Powerspring 1982
Celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the complete payment of parish debt