About St. Mary · Albany, Oregon
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, commonly known as St. Mary's, is the only Catholic church in Albany, Oregon. Established in 1885 in the small railroad town of Albany, the parish has served Linn County Catholics for nearly 140 years, today counting roughly 1,400 registered families. The current church, dedicated in 1992, was built after the historic 1898 wooden basilica — modeled on a French abbey and once called the "Gem of the Valley" — was destroyed by arson in 1989. St. Mary's is a bilingual English/Spanish parish with an active Hispanic ministry, weekly Spanish Masses, faith formation for children and adults, a long-running community soup kitchen, and a parish youth ministry serving middle- and high-schoolers.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (the parish's official name); commonly known as St. Mary's
- Rector
- Reverend Mariano 'Maro' Escano
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Mary's is the only Catholic church in Albany, Oregon, and serves roughly 1,400 registered families in a genuinely bilingual English-and-Spanish community, with weekly Masses in both languages and a dedicated Hispanic Ministry Director. The parish has deep roots — founded in 1885 and continuing the longest-running community-meals/soup-kitchen program in the area (operating since the early 1980s) — and offers the full sacramental life plus faith formation for children (PreK–5th grade, including a Sacramental Preparation program and Vacation Bible School), youth ministry for middle- and high-schoolers, RCIA for adults, Young Adult Ministry (monthly at 6:30 p.m.), and the parish's own CCC (Coffee–Conversation–Catechesis) Sunday-morning gathering from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Church
- 24/7 Adoration in the Chapel (code access required)
Parish History
St. Mary's (officially Our Lady of Perpetual Help) was founded September 28, 1885, by Father Louis Metayer, who said the first Mass to seven people in the Depot Hotel parlor. Archbishop William Gross blessed the church on January 17, 1886, and launched a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help — one of the earliest such novenas in the country and the first on the West Coast. In 1898 Fr. Metayer built a wooden basilica modeled on a French abbey that Archbishop Gross called the 'Gem of the Valley' at its dedication. That historic building was destroyed by arson on October 29, 1989, and the current church was dedicated on September 13, 1992. The parish celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2010 and remains the only Catholic church in Albany.
- Founded September 28, 1885, by Fr. Louis Metayer
- First Mass said to seven people in the Depot Hotel parlor
- Archbishop William Gross dedicated the church January 17, 1886, and began the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Benedictine Sisters opened Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy in 1887
- 1898 wooden basilica — modeled on a French abbey, native fir construction, extensive stained glass
- October 29, 1989 — arson fire destroyed the historic church
- Current church dedicated September 13, 1992; designed by Corvallis architect Chris Jeppsen
- 125th anniversary celebrated in 2010
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Mariano 'Maro' Escano, installed as pastor on July 11, 2021, and is assisted by Pastoral Associate Glicerey 'Ace' Tupasi along with Deacons John Paul Langsfeld and Martin Umeatuegbu. The office team, ministry directors and program coordinators are listed on the parish Staff page with direct extensions and email addresses.
- Rev. Mariano 'Maro' Escano — Pastor (ext. 303)
- Glicerey 'Ace' Tupasi — Pastoral Associate (ext. 304)
- Deacon John Paul Langsfeld
- Deacon Martin Umeatuegbu
- Teresa Middlemiss — Administrative Assistant (ext. 302)
- Nushia Lake — Parish Secretary / Music Director (ext. 301 / ext. 319)
- Bette Schiedler — Volunteer Receptionist (ext. 301)
- Joy De Castro — Finance and Administration Director (ext. 305)
- Hna. Herlinda Rodriguez Ruiz — Hispanic Ministry Director (ext. 306)
- Rosa Vargas — Youth Ministry Coordinator (ext. 307)
- Honorina Manuel Contreras — Volunteer Spanish Religious Education Coordinator (ext. 308)
- Stephen Correia — English Religious Education Coordinator (ext. 309)
- Josh Allsup — Soup Kitchen Director (ext. 317)
- Les Porter — Facility Custodian
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for children in PreK through 5th grade meets Sunday mornings between the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Masses from September through April. Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion normally happens in second grade or older for already-baptized Catholic children. Children not yet baptized are directed to the RE Coordinator for baptism first. A Vacation Bible School is offered the first week of August, 9:00 a.m. to noon, and volunteers are always welcome.
- Faith Formation PreK–5th: Sunday mornings, September–April
- Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade and up)
- Baptism of children older than 2nd grade through the catechetical year, celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during Mass (preschool through about 3rd grade)
- Vacation Bible School — first week of August, 9 a.m. to noon
- Volunteer catechists and aides always needed
RCIA, Adult Formation & Young Adults
Adults who have never been baptized, or who were baptized in another Christian tradition and wish to enter the Catholic Church, are formed through the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), coordinated by Ace Tupasi. Baptized adults who have not yet received First Communion can also be guided through the process. The parish hosts CCC (Coffee–Conversation–Catechesis) on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. — a community catechesis gathering open to everyone — and a Young Adult Ministry that meets once a month at 6:30 p.m. for prayer, planning and fellowship.
- RCIA for unbaptized adults and adults baptized in another Christian tradition
- First Communion preparation for baptized adults
- CCC — Coffee, Conversation, Catechesis, Sundays 9:45–10:45 a.m., September–May
- Young Adult Ministry — monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Ministry
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Youth Ministry welcomes middle- and high-school youth to active participation in parish life. Following the U.S. Bishops' Renewing the Vision framework, the ministry fosters the personal and spiritual growth of each young person, draws them into the life and mission of the parish community, and empowers them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Activities include Sunday youth-group meetings, praise and worship, sacramental preparation, youth rallies, retreats, trips, and service opportunities.
- Open to middle- and high-school youth
- Sunday youth-group meetings
- Praise and worship, sacramental preparation, youth rallies, retreats, trips, and service projects
- Confirmation preparation (6th grade through high school) connected with Youth Ministry
- Rosa Vargas — Youth Ministry Coordinator (ext. 307)
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
St. Mary's Hispanic Ministry was established in the early 1990s as Albany's Hispanic community grew, and the parish has offered regular Spanish Masses ever since — currently Saturday 7:00 p.m., Sunday 12:30 p.m., and Wednesday 7:00 p.m. The mission of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit regularly assisted in celebrating the Spanish Masses in the early years. Today, the ministry is led by Hna. Herlinda Rodriguez Ruiz, and the parish provides a Spanish Religious Education coordinator (Honorina Manuel Contreras), bilingual bulletins, and sacramental preparation in Spanish.
- Spanish Masses: Saturday 7:00 PM, Sunday 12:30 PM, Wednesday 7:00 PM
- 1st Saturday bilingual Mass at 10:00 AM
- Spanish-language faith formation and sacramental preparation
- Hispanic Ministry Director: Hna. Herlinda Rodriguez Ruiz (ext. 306)
- Volunteer Spanish Religious Education Coordinator: Honorina Manuel Contreras (ext. 308)
Soup Kitchen & Outreach to the Poor
St. Mary's has a long-standing commitment to the needs of the poor and homeless, working with other faith communities to address poverty in Albany. The parish's community-meals/soup-kitchen program was established in the early 1980s and continues today under the coordination of Soup Kitchen Director Josh Allsup. The parish welcomes donations of food, time, and money and asks that anyone wishing to contribute coordinate in advance with the Soup Kitchen Coordinator.
- Community-meals/soup-kitchen program since the early 1980s
- Director: Josh Allsup — [email protected] (ext. 317)
- Partnership with other faith communities to address local poverty
Parish Councils & Leadership
St. Mary's is guided by two lay-led councils that work with the pastor. The Parish Council advises on the spiritual and pastoral life of the parish, while the Finance Council oversees temporal and financial matters. Both councils include the pastor as an ex officio member.
- Parish Council — Chair: Dan Wehrman; members Al Correia, Guadalupe Hernandez, Matt Hertel, Jenny James, David Lake, Felix Ramos, Jr.; Ex Officio: Fr. Mariano Escano
- Finance Council — Chair: Stuart Conser; Secretary: Jenny James; members Alan Huster, Terry Klein, David Delsman; Ex Officio: Fr. Mariano Escano
- Strategic Plan also referenced on the Parish Councils page
Sacraments
St. Mary's offers the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Parents of infants/young children attend monthly baptism classes along with the child's godparents. Older children (typically grades 2–5) prepare for Baptism through the catechetical year and are baptized at the Easter Vigil. First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared for in second grade or older. Confirmation preparation is offered for grades 6 through high school, connected with the Youth Ministry. Adults who have not yet been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian tradition are initiated through RCIA.
- Infant Baptism — monthly class for parents and godparents
- Baptism for school-age children (grades 2–5) — Easter Vigil
- First Reconciliation and First Communion — Sacramental Preparation, normally 2nd grade or older
- Confirmation — grades 6 through high school, connected with Youth Ministry
- RCIA — adults never baptized or baptized in another Christian tradition
- First Communion for baptized adults — coordinated through the Pastoral Associate
Visiting, Contact & Parish Office
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Mary's. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 11:50 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays for Mass), and Friday 9:00 a.m. to noon. The office is closed on Mondays and weekends. Anyone who is homebound, lonely or discouraged is invited to call or email the parish — 'We care about you!'
- Parish Office: 815 Broadalbin St SW, Albany, OR 97321-2469
- Church: 822 Ellsworth St SW, Albany, OR 97321
- Phone: 541-926-1449 — Fax: 541-926-2191
- Emergency line: dial main number and press 1
- Office hours: Tue–Thu 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–noon; closed Mon & weekends
- New-member registration form available on the website
- Online parish directory access for members
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis Metayer1885 – c. early 1900s
Founding rector; said the first Mass to seven people in the Depot Hotel parlor; moved a schoolhouse across a canal to serve as the first church; built the wooden basilica dedicated in 1898.
- Rev. Andrew Thomasuntil May 1, 2014
Last pastor before the school closed in June 2013; oversaw the purchase of houses at 724 Ellsworth to add a parish parking lot.
- Rev. Aniceto Guiriba IIIMay 2014 – July 2017
Had been associate pastor since July 2013; appointed administrator after Fr. Andrew left, then led the parish. Brought the tabernacle into the sanctuary and established leads for several ministries.
- Rev. Edwin Sanchez-RomeroJuly 2017 – June 2021
Came from Salem; began as Parish Administrator, was officially installed as Pastor in July 2020. Renovated old buildings and led the parish through the COVID-19 pandemic's technological adaptation.
- Rev. Leonard Omolo, ALCPJanuary 2015 – 2020
Parochial Vicar from Kenya; learned Spanish to help cover Spanish Masses and sacraments. Returned to Africa in 2020 to head a parish in Kenya; passed away in 2021.
- Rev. Mariano 'Maro' EscanoJuly 2021 – present
Installed as pastor on July 11, 2021; has worked to reconnect with parishioners lost during the pandemic.