About St. Matthew Catholic Church · Hillsboro, Oregon
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a parish in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, serving as the only Catholic parish in the city. It is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (MSpS), a religious congregation founded in Mexico in 1914. The parish community worships in both English and Spanish, offering daily and Sunday Masses, a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, a Catholic school (PreK–8), faith formation for all ages, and a wide range of ministries and outreach. With more than 2,500 people attending Sunday Masses, St. Matthew is a vibrant, growing community in Washington County anchored in the Sacramental life of the Church and the spirituality of the Family of the Cross.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle (the tax collector)
- Rector
- Fr. Peter Arteaga, MSpS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon)
Why belong here
St. Matthew is the only Catholic parish in Hillsboro and the spiritual home of more than 2,500 Sunday Massgoers, so newcomers arrive at a large, lively community where it is easy to find a place. Weekend and daily Masses are offered in English and Spanish, with bilingual evening Masses Monday through Friday and a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel open every day from 6 AM to midnight. The parish runs a PreK–8 Catholic school, faith formation and sacramental prep for all ages, youth and young adult ministry, Bible studies, a charismatic prayer group, the Apostleship of the Cross, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and dozens of other lay-led ministries — so there is room for every family, age, and vocation to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Matthew Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 8:45 AM – 9:30 AM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (in the Church)
- By appointment — contact one of the priests directly
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel: open 7 days a week, 6:00 AM – midnight
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM (in the Adoration Chapel)
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 AM (in the Adoration Chapel)
- Weekdays: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM (in the Adoration Chapel)
Parish Identity & Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
St. Matthew Catholic Church describes itself as 'the local community of disciples tending to the mission of Jesus in Hillsboro.' The parish is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (MSpS), an order of priests, deacons, and brothers founded in Mexico in 1914 by Venerable Felix Rougier as part of the larger Family of the Cross. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish) and is part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Parishioners of St. Matthew include members of two of the five Works of the Cross: the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and the Apostleship of the Cross.
- Served by the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (MSpS)
- Bilingual English/Spanish parish community
- Part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
- Connected to the Family of the Cross / Apostleship of the Cross
History of St. Matthew Parish
St. Matthew was the first Catholic church in Hillsboro. Early Masses were said in homes and at the Hillsboro opera house before a proper church was built with lumber hauled eighteen miles from Holbrook and a lot donated by banker J. W. Shute. Archbishop Christie dedicated the new church on January 12, 1902, and in 1904 St. Matthew was formally established as a parish with Rev. Joseph L. Bucholzer as first resident pastor. The schoolhouse was added in 1914 under Father Mark Lappin. After more than a century the parish remains the only Catholic parish in Hillsboro, now drawing over 2,500 people to Sunday Masses in English and Spanish.
- 1901 — Lot donated by banker J. W. Shute on Third Street
- January 12, 1902 — Church dedicated by Archbishop Christie
- 1904 — Established as a parish; Rev. J. L. Bucholzer first resident pastor
- 1905 — Bells blessed and installed
- 1914 — Parish schoolhouse built under Father Lappin
- 21st century — Capital-campaign expansion of parish hall, school, and church
Clergy & Lay Staff
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Peter Arteaga, MSpS, and assisted by parochial vicars Fr. Juan Gonzalez, MSpS and Fr. Manuel Rosiles, MSpS, along with Fr. Mario Rodriguez, MSpS and Fr. Rito Guzman, MSpS. The school principal is Kristin Jost. The office team handles Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Liturgy, accounting, school marketing/enrollment, and parish administration.
- Fr. Peter Arteaga, MSpS — Pastor
- Fr. Juan Gonzalez, MSpS — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Manuel Rosiles, MSpS — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Mario Rodriguez, MSpS — Parish Priest
- Fr. Rito Guzman, MSpS — sacramental & parish support
- Fr. Armando Morena, MSpS — mission preacher
- Kristin Jost — School Principal
- Charlene Sippel — Youth Ministry
- Adriana Mendoza — Administrative Assistant for Ministry
- Brenda Aguirre — School Secretary/Registrar
- Maggie Stopka — Accounting Specialist
- Ismael Fuentes — Facilities Maintenance
- Jonathan Zacarias Hernandez — Staff
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation at St. Matthew serves every age and stage: Family Formation for families with children, a two-year Confirmation program for grades 7–12 (per Archdiocese of Portland norms), youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, and ongoing adult formation through Bible studies, retreats, and the RCIA. The parish offers sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage.
- Family Formation
- Confirmation Program (two-year, grades 7–12)
- RCIA for adults
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation
- Emmaus Bible Study
- Wisdom on Wednesdays Bible study
- Young Adult Ministry
- Women's Retreat
St. Matthew Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Matthew Catholic School is a parish school serving PreK through 8th grade, located on the parish campus. The school integrates Catholic identity throughout the day with daily religion classes, ongoing prayer, weekly Mass, multi-grade classes, Spanish literacy, family groups of students, and service opportunities. The school's renewed mission is 'Forming young minds as curious scholars, servant leaders, and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.' Tuition is supported by parish partnerships; the school is part of the Catholic schools system of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon.
- PreK through 8th grade
- Daily religion classes and prayer throughout the day
- Weekly Mass with the parish
- Multi-grade classes and family groups
- Spanish literacy efforts
- Service opportunities
- Mission: curious scholars, servant leaders, faithful disciples
Spiritual Life & Devotions
Beyond the regular schedule, St. Matthew offers a deep well of devotional life: a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel open daily from 6 AM to midnight, the Shrine of Relics with more than fifty saints' relics (including a relic of the Holy Cross), the Vida en Cristo charismatic prayer group, the Apostolado de la Cruz, a Spanish Prayer Group, Prayer Shawls, the Wisdom on Wednesdays Bible study, and an annual parish mission offered in both English and Spanish.
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (6 AM – midnight daily)
- Shrine of Relics (50+ saints, including relic of the Holy Cross)
- Vida en Cristo charismatic prayer group
- Apostolado de la Cruz / Apostleship of the Cross
- Spanish Prayer Group
- Prayer Shawls
- Parish Mission in English (3-day, e.g. 'Pilgrims of Hope')
- Parish Mission in Spanish (3-day)
Parish Outreach & Community Life
St. Matthew maintains an active outreach and lay-ministry culture. The parish chapter of St. Vincent de Paul coordinates almsgiving, while ministries such as Ministry to the Homebound, Funeral Receptions, Sunday Hospitality (in English and Spanish), the Altar Society, the Library, and a thriving Men's Group provide many ways for parishioners to serve. Encuentro Matrimonial supports marriages, and the parish also hosts retreats, parish missions, and community events throughout the year.
- St. Vincent de Paul chapter (almsgiving & outreach)
- Ministry to the Homebound
- Funeral Receptions
- Sunday Hospitality (English and Spanish)
- Altar Society
- Men's Group
- Encuentro Matrimonial
- Library ministry
Getting Involved & Contact
Parishioners are encouraged to share their faith, time, and talent. The parish website lists pathways for registration, support of the parish, school enrollment, and discovering the many ministries available. The parish office can be reached at (503) 648-1998 during regular business hours, and confessions are also available by appointment by contacting one of the priests directly.
- Parish registration available
- School enrollment (2024–2025 brochure)
- Online giving / 'Support Our Parish'
- Office phone: (503) 648-1998
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 475 SE 3rd Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Donnelly
Traveled by horseback visiting Catholic families scattered across Washington County before the parish was built.
- Father J. H. Black
Later chancellor of the archdiocese; led the fundraising and construction effort for the 1902 church building.
- Rev. Joseph L. Bucholzer1904–1911
First resident pastor when St. Matthew became a parish in 1904; resigned shortly before his death in 1911.
- Father Mark Lappin1911–1915
Oversaw construction of the parish schoolhouse in 1914.
- Father O'Neil1915–1919
Transferred to Beaverton on January 18, 1919.
- Father J. T. Costelloe1919–
Longtime pastor in the early 20th century, credited with the parish's growth and prosperity.
- Fr. Hugo Maese, MSpS
Earlier pastor under whose tenure parishioner Ron Kunkel designed and built the Shrine of Relics in 2015.
- Fr. Peter Arteaga, MSpS
Current pastor; led capital-campaign expansion of parish facilities and grew the collection of saints' relics.