About St. Pius X · Klamath Falls, Oregon
St. Pius X Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Klamath Falls, Oregon, within the Diocese of Baker. Founded in 1957 as the second Catholic parish in the Klamath Falls area, it now serves approximately 565 registered families. The parish community gathers for daily and Sunday Mass in its 800-seat church, consecrated in 1999, and lives out its mission of evangelization, education, and forming disciples through a wide variety of liturgical, sacramental, educational, and outreach ministries. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Shiju Thuruthiyil, OSH, the parish actively pursues its vision of increasing disciples of Jesus Christ within Klamath Falls and beyond.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Pius X
- Rector
- Fr. Shiju Thuruthiyil, OSH
- Diocese
- Diocese of Baker
Why belong here
St. Pius X is a vibrant parish family of about 565 registered households where new faithful are joining every year and enjoying the family atmosphere. The community offers abundant ways to grow in faith: Discipleship classes for children Pre-K through senior high, OCIA for adults and children seeking full initiation, women's, men's, and mixed study and fellowship ministries, and outreach to the homebound and those in need through St. Vincent de Paul. With two weekend Masses, daily Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, weekly adoration, an active choir and altar servers, and parish social organizations like the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Men's Club, Altar Society, and Golden Girls, there are many ways to serve the Lord together.
Mass times at St. Pius X
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:00 pm
- Anytime by request (call 541-884-4242)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday Adoration: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (sign-up at signup.com/go/aVyEebe or via the My Parish App)
About St. Pius X Catholic Church
St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, within the Diocese of Baker, is a community of Catholic Christians united by God, formed by the Gospels, and strengthened by the sacraments and the liturgy as well as the teachings of the Catholic Church. The parish is committed to evangelization and education, and encourages a greater commitment to love and follow Christ by living out the Catholic faith and promoting peace and justice in the parish, community, and world.
- Mission Statement: committed to evangelization and education; promotes peace and justice.
- Vision Statement: To increase the disciples of Jesus Christ within our parish and community.
- Diocese: Diocese of Baker (part of the Southern Deanery).
History of St. Pius X
Established in 1957 as the second Catholic parish in the Klamath Falls area under Bishop Francis P. Leipzig, St. Pius X first gathered for Mass in the gymnasium of Peterson School. Construction of the original church/school gymnasium building began September 9, 1958, and the parish steadily added classrooms, a parish hall, kitchen, rectory, and a 'family room' over the following decades. In 1998, ground was broken for a new 800-seat church, which was consecrated on April 11, 1999. The sanctuary was remodeled and completed in 2023.
- 1957 – Father George Murphy arrives Feb. 14; first Mass May 3 at Peterson School.
- 1958 – Construction of the church/school gymnasium begins September 9.
- 1963 – Classrooms, parish hall, and kitchen added.
- 1966 – Rectory built.
- 1979 – 'Family room' addition expands church capacity.
- 1998 – Ground broken for new 800-seat church.
- 1999 – Current church consecrated April 11.
- 2023 – Sanctuary remodel completed.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Shiju Thuruthiyil, OSH, and supported by a deacon, lay staff, and visiting priests from St. Maurus Hanga Abbey Mission. Bishop Thomas Hennen leads the Diocese of Baker. The parish office is staffed by an Office Manager and a Discipleship team overseeing faith formation for children, youth, and adults.
- Pastor: Fr. Shiju Thuruthiyil, OSH
- Deacon: Jenny Dreyer
- Discipleship Director: Charles Catterall
- Assistant Discipleship Director: Nevin Smith
- Music Director: Deb Scaravilli
- Office Manager: Julie Kraan
- Maintenance: Paul Hillyer
- Bishop of Baker Diocese: Rev. Thomas Hennen
- St. Maurus Hanga Abbey Mission Priests: Fr. Ildefonce Mapara, Fr. Richard Migodela
Faith Formation & Discipleship
St. Pius X runs a year-round Discipleship (faith formation) program for children Pre-K through 12th grade, meeting most Sundays from 10:30–11:45 am in the Parish Hall, September through May. The children's curriculum uses 'Alive in Christ' (Our Sunday Visitor), approved by the Diocese of Baker. Junior high uses YDisciple; senior high engages in dynamic Bible and Catechism conversations and discernment of spiritual gifts. Each classroom has two adult volunteers who have completed background checks and the Diocese of Baker safe environment training.
- Discipleship for Children (Pre-K – 6th Grade): Sundays 10:30–11:45 am
- Discipleship for Junior & Senior High (7th–12th): Sundays 10:30–11:45 am
- YDisciple for junior high (7th–8th)
- Curriculum: 'Alive in Christ' by Our Sunday Visitor
- Contact: parish office (541) 882-7593
Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA)
Adults and children ages 9 and above who have not yet been fully initiated in the Catholic Church may register for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children (OCIA). Catechumens and candidates prepare through study of the Sacraments of Initiation and the New Covenant Commandments of Love, culminating in reception at the Most Holy Easter Vigil. Online registration is available for adults and children (with a Spanish option noted).
- For adults and children 9+
- Catechumens and candidates welcome
- Full initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Spanish registration option available
Adult Discipleship & Fellowship
Adults in full communion with the Catholic Church grow in faith, hope, love, and the virtues through women's, men's, and mixed study and fellowship ministries. The parish emphasizes becoming more effective disciples by learning and practicing the Catholic faith more deeply in community.
- Women's, men's, and mixed study groups
- Fellowship ministries
- Linked to parish social organizations
Lay Liturgical Ministries
The parish offers a full range of lay liturgical ministries, with training and ongoing formation. Each ministry supports the dignified celebration of the Mass and the care of God's people in the wider community.
- Lector — proclaims the Word of God
- Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
- Altar Server — boys and girls in 4th grade and older who have made First Holy Communion
- Ministry of Holy Communion for the Sick and Homebound
- Usher / Greeter — Ministers of Hospitality
- Choir — vocal and instrumentalists welcome (Director: Deb Scaravilli, 541-884-6905)
Parish Social Organizations
St. Pius X hosts a variety of parish social organizations open to parishioners of all ages and walks of life, fostering community, fellowship, and service.
- Knights of Columbus — meets 2nd & 3rd Wednesday at 7:30 pm at 1910 Greensprings Drive; hosts parish breakfast the 3rd Sunday after 9:00 am Mass.
- Catholic Daughters — meets 2nd Tuesday monthly.
- Men's Club — meets 1st Sunday after the parish breakfast; serves breakfast that day except in summer.
- Altar Society — cares for the sanctuary, provides funeral luncheons, runs the White Elephant rummage sale and Christmas Bazaar, maintains a Catholic Religious Goods Shop.
- Golden Girls — meets Tuesdays after 8:30 am Mass for fellowship and community projects.
- Catholic Singles Group — meets 2nd Monday at 5:00 pm; organizes movie nights, bowling, potlucks, game nights, BBQs, bingo.
- Respect Life Group
- Bereavement Ministry
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society takes requests and comes to the aid of people in need in Klamath Falls. Assistance is available at (541) 281-5345. The first Sunday of each month is Food Pantry Sunday, with donations collected in the church vestibule. The Food Pantry is open Wednesdays from 4–5 PM. The society meets every 2nd Thursday at 5:00 pm in the St. Pius X Community Room.
- Assistance line: (541) 281-5345
- Food Pantry Sunday: 1st Sunday of the month
- Food Pantry hours: Wednesdays 4–5 PM
- Meetings: 2nd Thursday at 5:00 pm in the Community Room
Vocations Committee
The Catholic Vocations Commission exists to help all members of St. Pius X Parish discover and strengthen their vocation in life. The committee promotes a 'culture of vocations' and supports vocations to priesthood, religious life, matrimony, and the single life, encouraging prayer and conversation about God's call, especially among parents and grandparents of young people.
- Coordinator: Dan Kugler ([email protected])
- Supports discernment of all four Catholic vocations
- Encourages family conversations about vocations
- Partners with diocesan, national, and world-wide vocation efforts
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed to St. Pius X Catholic Church, located at 4880 Bristol Avenue in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Daily Mass is celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, accessed from the east back side of the main church.
- Address: 4880 Bristol Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
- Phone: (541) 884-4242
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Website: https://www.piusxkf.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. George Murphy1957 (founding)
Called by Bishop Francis P. Leipzig of the Diocese of Baker to establish the new parish; arrived in Klamath Falls on February 14, 1957.
- Fr. Shiju Thuruthiyil, OSHcurrent
Current pastor; member of the OSH (Order of the Servants of the Holy Spirit, i.e., Holy Spirit Fathers).