About St. Pius X · Portland, Oregon
St. Pius X is a Catholic parish in the Cedar Mill neighborhood of northwest Portland, Oregon, part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The parish began in 1953 as the Cedar Mill Mission and was formally established as St. Pius X Parish on June 10, 1955, now serving approximately 1,600 registered families on an eleven-acre campus. It offers Mass in English and Spanish, runs a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school, operates a perpetual Adoration Chapel, and is led by a pastor, parochial vicar, religious sister, and a full lay staff. The community identifies itself as a stewardship parish guided by the motto of being 'the eyes, hands, and heart of the Risen Jesus.'
- Established
- 1953 (as Cedar Mill Mission); 1954 (renamed St. Pius X Mission); 1955 (established as a parish, June 10, 1955)
- Patron
- St. Pius X (Pope Saint Pius X)
- Rector
- Father Sean Weeks
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Pius X welcomes Catholics who want to actively share their time, talent, and treasure with a large, active community on the west side of Portland. Members find a full sacramental life — daily and weekend Mass in English and Spanish, Saturday confessions, a perpetual Adoration Chapel open to registered parishioners, First Communion and Confirmation formation, and RCIA-style OCIA preparation. The parish campus is also home to a Pre-K–8 Catholic school, a Community Center, a gym, and multiple commissions (Prayer and Worship, Faith Formation, Outreach, School Advisory, and Parish Fellowship) that give parishioners concrete ways to serve.
Mass times at St. Pius X
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM
- By appointment (call parish office at 503-644-5264)
- 1st Thursday of the month at 8:15 AM Healing Mass
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open daily Monday–Saturday beginning with 8:15 AM Mass
- Public (non-registered) adoration: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Registered parishioners: 24-hour access (code required 4:00 PM – 9:00 AM; contact parish office)
A Brief History of St. Pius X Parish
St. Pius X began as the Cedar Mill Mission in 1953, when Mass was first celebrated in the Leedy Grange Hall on Saltzman Road. On May 29, 1954 — the same day the canonization of Pope Pius X was announced in Rome — the mission was renamed in his honor. The original church, today known as the 'old church' or Youth Center, was completed that summer on a six-acre site, and the first Mass was held there on August 15, 1954. On June 10, 1955, the mission was formally established as a parish with Father Joseph M. McMahon as its first pastor. Over the decades the parish grew from 200 families in 1957 to about 1,600 today, expanded to an eleven-acre campus, built a new church (1980), a school (dedicated 1964), a Community Center (1999), the Smoluch Gymnasium (2011), and updated the school and campus buildings in 2018.
Parish Staff & Pastoral Team
St. Pius X is served by clergy, a religious sister, and a lay staff. Father Sean Weeks is pastor, assisted by Father Chi-Nhan Vo as parochial vicar and Sister Angelicah Njuguna of the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega (SMK) as Director of Religious Education. Lay staff includes a Business Manager, Parish Office Manager, Faith Formation Program Coordinator, Liturgy Coordinator, Director of Music, Development Coordinator, Bulletin and Social Media Editor, IT Admin and Facilities Operations Manager, and Facilities Supervisor.
Becoming a Parishioner
St. Pius X invites Catholics who intend to actively participate in parish life to register. The parish's mission is to 'Be the eyes, hands, and heart of the Risen Jesus,' and parishioners are asked to share their time, talent, and treasure through the parish's three foundational stewardship pillars. Registration determines Mass and confession schedules, the languages and number of faith formation programs offered, how many priests the Archdiocese assigns, and provides practical benefits like scheduling sacraments, sponsor eligibility letters, and year-end donation statements.
Parish Life & Commissions
The parish is organized around five Parish Commissions — Prayer and Worship, Faith Formation, Outreach, School Advisory, and Parish Fellowship — which together feed into the Pastoral Council. The council acts as an advisory leadership body guided by the Holy Spirit and the Gospel, helping the pastor and staff discern strategic priorities for the community.
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Faith Formation at St. Pius X supports sacramental preparation for every stage of Catholic life. First Communion preparation is offered for children in 2nd through 6th grade (with 2nd graders at the parish school receiving instruction during Religion class). Confirmation preparation is offered for teens in 7th–12th grade and for adults 18 and older, including a one-on-one interview with Sister Angelicah, Director of Religious Education. Unbaptized children, teens, and adults — and those baptized in other Christian traditions — are served through the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Attending Sunday Mass and making regular confessions are required during preparation.
St. Pius X Catholic School
St. Pius X Catholic School has been part of the parish since 1960, when 19 first and second graders began classes in a makeshift room inside the church under Sister Josepha of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. Archbishop Howard dedicated the present school building on April 23, 1964, and it has been expanded twice (1969 and 1982) and most recently updated as part of a 2018 campus remodel. The school today serves Pre-K through 8th grade on the parish campus.
Music, Vocations & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by a Director of Music, a Liturgy Coordinator, and a strong vocation ministry that includes work with the Serra Club of Portland and the Oblates of Mt. Angel Abbey. The parish is also home to a Contemporary Sunday evening Mass at 5:00 PM and a historic Geo. Kilgen & Son organ (built 1890, relocated and refurbished in 1985 by Bond Pipe Organs, Inc.).
Outreach & Social Ministry
Outreach is one of the parish's five commissions. The campus includes a St. Vincent de Paul building for the parish's conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the parish regularly hosts community events such as an annual picnic in September, a 250 Years of Faith & Freedom celebration for the U.S. semiquincentennial, and the Hallow Prayer Challenge guiding parishioners through devotions like the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph M. McMahon1955–1984
First pastor of St. Pius X; served 29 years and oversaw growth from 200 to 700 families, the building of the new church in 1980, school expansions in 1969 and 1982, and development of the parish campus. He was known to personally greet every new parishioner and remember where they lived.
- Father Sean Weeks2012–present
Prior to becoming a diocesan priest, Fr. Sean spent eight years in the Benedictine Monastery. He has overseen continued growth of the parish, the expansion of the school, updates to the church, and the completion of the parish grounds, guiding St. Pius X as a stewardship parish.