St. Patrick

Parish Mission and Identity

St. Patrick's describes itself as 'a Catholic, multicultural parish within a collegiate, agricultural, and industrial community.' The published mission commits the community to worship and work together so that its members grow in love and acceptance of one another and become apostles as Christ teaches, using their differences to unite as one in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. The parish lives this identity concretely by offering the full liturgical life, faith formation, and sacramental preparation in both English and Spanish, and by welcoming students from nearby Western Oregon University, farm-working families, and long-time Independence residents in the same pews.

History of St. Patrick Parish

Catholic life in Independence is rooted in the missionary work of the early 1900s, when Father Hugh J. McDevitt of Portland, at Archbishop Christie's request, surveyed outlying Oregon towns for church-building needs. Even before any permanent structure existed, the Catholic Extension Society's St. Anthony Chapel Car — a 72-foot Pullman from Chicago — brought the first Masses to Independence. In 1910 the Roman Catholic Church purchased the 1874 Methodist Episcopal Church, South building on Monmouth Street; it was remodeled and dedicated as St. Patrick's on November 27, 1910, with Father Joseph Berne as first resident pastor. From 1910 until the 1950s, St. Patrick's remained a mission of larger parishes at Sheridan, Salem, and Mt. Angel. After rapid post-1950s growth — especially among Hispanic families — a new, larger church was built and dedicated January 19, 1966, at the parish's present 1275 E Street location. The original Monmouth Street church was sold in 1968 and is now owned by the Independence-Monmouth Church of the Nazarene.

• 1874 — Original building at 330 Monmouth Street constructed as Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the first church in Independence.
• 1909 — Father Hugh J. McDevitt begins raising funds for a Catholic church in Independence.
• November 27, 1910 — St. Patrick's Church dedicated by Archbishop Christie; Father Joseph Berne is first resident pastor.
• 1910–1940 — 'Hops Capital of the World' era; the church becomes a seasonal focal point for Catholic hop pickers.
• 1950s — Rapid Catholic population growth, especially among Hispanic families.
• January 19, 1966 — Present church at 1275 E Street dedicated.
• 1968 — Original Monmouth Street building sold; later purchased by the Independence-Monmouth Church of the Nazarene.
• Original church listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRIS 87000040).

Sacramental Preparation

The parish website hosts a dedicated Sacraments page with bilingual forms and links for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Funeral Liturgy planning, and Sacramental Certificate Requests. Sacramental preparation registration was noted as closed until July 2026 at the time of the parish's most recent published updates.

• Baptism — bilingual requirements and forms
• First Communion — children, online registration
• Confirmation — youth, requirements and form
• OCIA / OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children (bilingual)
• Marriage — Catholic Marriage Application (bilingual)
• Funeral Mass — Funeral Liturgy Planning (bilingual)
• Sacramental Certificate Requests

Becoming Catholic (OCIA / OCIC)

St. Patrick's offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and Children (OCIC), described on the parish website as 'a pressure-free opportunity to ask questions, reflect on scripture and learn more about our Catholic story of faith.' Catechumens (ages 7+) prepare for full initiation through Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; Candidates previously baptized in Eastern Orthodox or Protestant traditions prepare for full communion through Eucharist and Confirmation. The program usually begins in September; the parish provides separate English and Spanish tracks.

• OCIA (English) — coordinated by Maria Adessi
• OCIA (Spanish) — coordinated by Norma Magana
• OCIC (children) — coordinated by Susana Cervantes
• Contact: parish office 503-838-1242 / [email protected]

Faith Formation and Youth

Faith Formation at St. Patrick's is organized by sacramental stage and language, with named coordinators for First Communion, Confirmation, OCIA, OCIC, and Youth Ministry. The parish runs Vacation Bible School in the summer and an active Youth Ministry program for parish teens.

• First Communion Program — Cynthia Cisneros
• Confirmation Program — Alma Ceja
• Youth Ministry — Danilo and Maria Fornico
• Summer Vacation Bible School
• Faith Formation Coordinator — Nancy Lehto (503-838-1242 ext. 4)
• Youth and Confirmation Coordinator — Alma Ceja

Parish Ministries and Outreach

St. Patrick's supports a wide range of parish ministries — both English- and Spanish-language — that serve the elderly, the homebound, students, and the broader mission Church. Mater Dei Radio highlighted in 2024 that 'there are numerous ministries taking place every day of the week in the parish,' from the Knights' monthly breakfasts to the Rosary Ministry's missionary shipments.

• Knights of Columbus — assists elderly with small home projects; monthly breakfast on the 3rd Sunday; Taco Booth at Mount Angel Oktoberfest; contact Joe F. Martinez, 210-219-5612
• Homebound Communion Ministry — visits nursing homes, care centers, and the temporarily ill; trained Eucharistic ministers serve about once a month; led by Rick and Chris Block, 503-623-2864
• Ladies Guild — Valentines Bake Sale, Bible studies, parish kitchen and church care, Bingo, Epiphany Brunch, Parish Picnic, Muffin Sunday after Mass
• Rosary Ministry — over 4,500 rosaries made and shipped to a missionary service in the first half of 2024
• Neocatechumenal Way
• Saint Juan Diego programs and Misioneros Apóstoles de la Palabra (Spanish-speaking community)
• Summer parish activities: Kermes parish fundraiser, Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, bus trip to The Grotto

Catholic Campus Ministry at Western Oregon University

Because Independence sits next to Monmouth — home of Western Oregon University — the parish supports Catholic Campus Ministry to WOU students. The ministry maintains a campus house and chapel and is coordinated by parishioner Joe Martinez.

• Campus Ministry Coordinator: Joe Martinez
• Campus house and chapel at WOU in nearby Monmouth

24-Hour Chapel and Devotional Life

Beyond the parish church itself, St. Patrick's operates a 24-Hour Chapel at 315 Knox St. N, Monmouth, Oregon, offering parishioners and visitors a place for ongoing Eucharistic Adoration. Access is arranged by inquiring at the parish office. The parish also livestreams Mass on its Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

• 24-Hour Chapel, 315 Knox St. N, Monmouth, OR
• Weekly Wednesday and Friday Adoration at the parish church
• First Friday Healing Mass / Misa de sanación
• Mass livestreamed on parish Facebook page

Parish Staff and Office

The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a small staff supporting liturgy, faith formation, communications, and finances. The pastor is supported by a permanent deacon, an office manager, a bookkeeper, and an extensive team of program coordinators.

• Pastor — Rev. Francisco S. Bringuela Jr. ([email protected])
• Permanent Deacon — Rev. Mr. Robert Page ([email protected])
• Office Manager — Norma Rodriguez
• Bookkeeper — Zen Eichinger (weekend only)
• Faith Formation Coordinator — Nancy Lehto (ext. 4)
• Bulletin / Website Coordinator — listed in parish directory
• Parish office: 503-838-1242; fax 503-837-0273
• Parish email: [email protected]
• Bulletin email: [email protected]
• Website email: [email protected]

Former Church and Historic Legacy

The 1874 building at 330 Monmouth Street that served as St. Patrick's from 1910 to 1966 still stands in Independence and is recognized for its historic and architectural significance. The National Register of Historic Places nomination describes it as significant both as the first church erected in Independence and as the first Roman Catholic church established in Polk County, and notes its distinctive Georgian-style appearance after the 1910 remodeling — elongated plan, added transept, bracketed bell tower with octagonal domed belfry, and enlarged windows with Georgian-style fanlights.

• Address: 330 Monmouth Street, Independence, OR 97351
• Built 1874 (Methodist Episcopal Church, South); purchased by Catholics 1910
• Sold by the parish in 1968
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRIS 87000040)
• Now owned by the Independence-Monmouth Church of the Nazarene