Our Parish for the Week of May 21:
St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Newberg
We are headed to beautiful Newberg for our Parish of the Week, St. Peter’s Catholic Church! Listen to an interview with pastor Fr. Martin Tavares and pastoral associate, Chase Willcuts, then keep reading for a few fun facts about this community bursting with life and activity.
About the Parish
- Peter’s began in 1895 as a mission, worshipping from the St. Anthony Chapel railway car. See below for a more detailed history!
- Pastor Father Martin Tavares is about to celebrate 10 years as a priest, and has been at St. Peter’s for 8 years.
- Peter’s is building a new church and plans for a ground-breaking this fall. Currently, 3.8 million has been raised from their 5.3 million goal .
- The parish has a vibrant youth group, and is taking a large group to the Steubenville NW Conference (including almost all outgoing 8th graders!)
- While St. Peter’s is a small parish, they have a high percentage of baptisms, confirmations, and weddings this year!
- The parish Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters are very generous and involved in the parish life.
Parish Mission Statement:
- St. Peter Parish, rooted in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, is dedicated to evangelization, discipleship and service, according to the teaching of Jesus Christ, handed on in the Catholic Church.
Parish Activities:
- Faith Formation Classes for adults who want to learn more
- To Go Community Suppers each Friday at 5:30 p.m.
- Young adult ministry: 2nd and 4th Sundays at noon
- Men’s Rosary Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
- Mom’s Group 1st and 3rd Fridays at 7 p.m.
- Bible studies Saturdays at 8 am
- Divine Mercy Chaplet before English Sunday Masses
- Apostles of the Word – Mondays at 7 p.m. to make the word of God known, encourage young people in apostolic service, promote and defend the faith
- Tuesday – Friday at 8:30 am
- Thursday in Spanish at 7 pm
- Saturday at 5 pm
- Sunday at 8 & 10:30 am, Spanish at 12:30 pm
Upcoming Events:
- June 2: 1-mile Corpus Christi Procession at 10 a.m. with bilingual Mass to follow
- June 9: Fr. Martins 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
- September 14: 17th Annual Fr. Jim Nibler Memorial Golf Tournament
- October 2: St. Peter Auction
1895 St. Peter’s is established as a mission, worshipping at the St Anthony Chapel Car
This was the first of three Catholic chapel railroad cars, 72-foot long, had a living area for the priest. By 1909 it had made it to Oregon and was part of establishing 80 parishes.
1908 First church is built, a small stone structure on Main Street
1930 Father Thomas Jackson is appointed the first resident priest
1956 Parish buys an unused school building; two of the classrooms used for a church, and the rest for a school run by the Holy Names Sisters
1961 Parish builds one of the first round churches in the country, on Wynooski Street
1974 School closes
Early 1990’s Eight acres purchased at Mountainview St and Main St
2000 New church constructed at its present location, 2315 N. Main St.
Find out more through their website.