St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

About the Cathedral

St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 1716 NW Davis Street in Northwest Portland, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. From its dedication in 1926 it has served as the gracious center of the archdiocese, providing a place of worship and celebration for the 400,000 Catholics of western Oregon while also functioning as a parish church with active parishioners and ministries. The cathedral welcomes all visitors and is the seat of Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, currently served by Rector Msgr. Gerard O'Connor.

History

Catholic worship at this Portland site began in 1851 when Bishop François Norbert Blanchet erected St. Mary's Parish; the parish relocated in 1854 to SW Third and Stark Streets, where the church was elevated to cathedral status in 1862 when Archbishop Blanchet moved his residence to Portland. Archbishop William H. Gross dedicated a new cathedral on the Third Street site on August 15, 1885, but the building was destroyed in the Willamette River flood of 1894. After a pro-cathedral and school were built at NW 15th and NW Davis, Archbishop Alexander Christie authorized the present cathedral in 1925; it opened February 14, 1926, with the first Mass on February 19, 1926. Pope Pius XI formally established the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon in 1928 with St. Mary's as its mother church. Archbishop William J. Levada oversaw a comprehensive restoration for the archdiocese's 150th anniversary, rededicated February 14, 1996. A Centennial Jubilee celebrating 100 years runs February 14, 2026 – February 13, 2027.

• 1851 — St. Mary's Parish erected by Bishop Blanchet
• 1854 — Parish relocates to SW Third and Stark
• 1862 — Elevated to cathedral when Archbishop Blanchet moves residence
• 1885 — New cathedral dedicated by Archbishop Gross (destroyed 1894 flood)
• 1925 — Archbishop Christie authorizes new cathedral
• February 14, 1926 — Cathedral opens
• February 19, 1926 — First Mass celebrated
• 1928 — Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon formally erected
• 1996 — Rededicated after Levada-era restoration
• 2026 — Centennial Jubilee begins

Architecture & Art

The cathedral is designed in the Romanesque Revival style with Byzantine features by the firm of Jacobberger and Smith, built by contractor Daniel F. Campbell, and encompasses approximately 12,000 square feet. Original art includes the Povey Brothers dome above the altar and the Stations of the Cross (both 1926), along with transept stained glass windows salvaged from an earlier cathedral. Statues of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Mother were provided by the Benedictine monks of Mount Angel. The 1993–96 restoration by Thomas Hacker and Associates added new etched vestibule windows, apse paintings, lighting, additional stained glass, and icons, while also strengthening the building seismically and upgrading building systems. The cathedral is a contributing property to Portland's Alphabet Historic District on the National Register.

• Style: Romanesque Revival with Byzantine features
• Architects: Jacobberger and Smith (1925)
• Contractor: Daniel F. Campbell
• Area: ~12,000 sq ft
• Dome: Povey Brothers (1926)
• Stations of the Cross: original 1926
• Stained glass: salvage from predecessor cathedrals plus restoration-era additions
• NRHP: Alphabet Historic District (#00001293)

Clergy & Staff

The cathedral is led by Rector Rev. Msgr. Gerard O'Connor, who also serves as Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Worship and Vicar Forane of the Downtown Portland Vicariate. He was ordained in 2000 for the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, came to Portland on loan in 2017, was incardinated into the archdiocese in August 2023, and was named Rector on January 1, 2021. The Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample serves as Archbishop of Portland in Oregon. Parish clergy include Deacons Greg Pashley and Scott Kolbet. Lay staff include Director of Pastoral Services Andreas Loeffler, Pastoral Associate Jenna Wier, Director of Sacred Music Angela Westhoff-Johnson, and Organist Seung Min Oh. Cathedral School is led by Principal Amy Biggs with Administrative Assistant Susan Hatley.

• Rector: Msgr. Gerard O'Connor
• Archbishop: Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample
• Deacons: Greg Pashley, Scott Kolbet
• Director of Pastoral Services: Andreas Loeffler
• Pastoral Associate: Jenna Wier
• Director of Sacred Music: Angela Westhoff-Johnson
• Organist: Seung Min Oh
• School Principal: Amy Biggs

Faith Formation & Education

Faith formation at St. Mary's is described by the parish as a lifelong journey for both children and adults, offered through Cathedral School, faith formation classes, OCIA, Bible studies, and other ministries. The parish subscribes to the FORMED digital platform, runs periodic Bible Studies, and directs parishioners to Ascension Press, Archbishop Sample's YouTube channel, and an online searchable Catechism of the Catholic Church. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program runs each year from September and welcomes the unbaptized, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics seeking First Communion or Confirmation.

• Cathedral School (Pre-K–8th)
• OCIA program
• Bible Study (periodic)
• FORMED digital platform
• Ascension Press programs

Cathedral School

Cathedral School is a Pre-Kindergarten through 8th-grade Catholic school serving as a ministry of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish for over 130 years. With a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, small class sizes (one class per grade), and one teacher plus an assistant in each Pre-K–5 classroom, the school offers Art, Spanish, Music, Library, and PE enrichment. Students attend weekly Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral. Over $100,000 in tuition assistance is offered annually, and active cathedral parishioners are eligible for a $1,000 parish scholarship per student. Cathedral School is led by Principal Amy Biggs and Administrative Assistant Susan Hatley.

• Pre-K through 8th grade
• 13:1 student-teacher ratio
• Weekly Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral
• Over $100,000 in tuition assistance annually
• $1,000 parish scholarship for active parishioners

Young Adults

The Cathedral Young Adults ministry serves adults aged 21–35 with faith formation, friendship-building, and parish life. Coordinated by Pastoral Associate Jenna Wier, the group posts events on its Instagram (@cathedral_pdx_yam) and connects to the broader archdiocesan Rose City Catholic young adult network.

• Ages 21–35
• Contact: Jenna Wier ([email protected])
• Instagram: @cathedral_pdx_yam
• Archdiocesan affiliate: Rose City Catholic

Centennial Jubilee & Pilgrimage

For the 100th anniversary of the cathedral's dedication, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon has designated February 14, 2026 – February 13, 2027 as the Cathedral Centennial Jubilee. The Vatican has designated the cathedral an official pilgrimage site, granting a plenary indulgence for the entire Jubilee year. Free guided tours are offered every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, led by cathedral clergy and staff who share the history, architecture, and religious significance of the cathedral's art.

• Centennial year: Feb 14, 2026 – Feb 13, 2027
• Plenary indulgence granted by Vatican
• Saturday tours: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
• Annual Blessing of the Boats

Music & Liturgy

Liturgical music at the cathedral is led by Director of Sacred Music Angela Westhoff-Johnson and Organist Seung Min Oh. The Cathedral Choir provides music for the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and other solemnities. Major liturgical celebrations include the annual Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession, the Chrism Mass, ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood, and Holy Week liturgies. The Cathedral also livestreams Sunday Mass on its website, with archived videos available.

• Director of Sacred Music: Angela Westhoff-Johnson
• Organist: Seung Min Oh
• Cathedral Choir at 11:00 AM Sunday Mass
• Annual Corpus Christi Mass & Procession
• Ordination Masses hosted
• Sunday Mass livestreams with archives

Visiting & Contact

St. Mary's Cathedral is located at 1716 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209 in the Alphabet Historic District. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Phone (503) 228-4397. The cathedral is accessible via TriMet Bus 15 and the Portland Streetcar; limited on-street neighborhood parking is available. Mass times, confession, adoration, and livestream links are available at maryscathedral.com.

• Address: 1716 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209
• Phone: (503) 228-4397
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 9–4; Fri 9–12
• TriMet Bus 15 and Streetcar service nearby
• Tax ID: #93-0386919