“From a tiny seed planted in 1910, the sturdy oak has grown.” Bishop Francis P. Leipzig wrote those words to Pastor Theophane Robertson in 1996 concerning the growth of St. Patrick Church.
Now, in November of 1985, St. Patrick is sturdier than ever, and still growing. This month marks the 75th anniversary of our church, and the 20th anniversary of our present church building.
Prior to 1910, Catholics in the Independence area, were served by railroad cars. The St. Anthony Chapel Car, 72 feet long, would draw up to a railroad siding in area villages, such as Dallas and Independence, and provide the site and shelter for the first Catholic Masses in these small communities. The Chapel Car services were “like a messenger of light and love,” according to Bishop Leipzig, and proved an inspiration to the people. From this inspiration came the impetus to purchase a small Methodist-Episcopal Church at the corner of Third and Monmouth Streets in Independence. It is now owned by x and y. After the existing structure was remodeled and made longer, and a tower added, the church was dedicated under the patronage of St. Patrick on November 27, 1910.
The Catholic Sentinel of December 27, 1910, carried this story:
“Although the train was an hour late and the morning somewhat chilly; it did not dampen he ardor of the large congregation that assembled in the church to await the arrival of His Grace, the Most Reverend Alexander Christie, and to witness the ceremony that would add another temple of faith to the credit of that zealous missionary, the Reverend H. J. McDevitt, through whose efforts this thriving little city of Polk County can boast of one of the most complete churches in the state. On arriving at the station, the Archbishop and his party were taken in automobiles directly to the church. At the conclusion of the Mass, His Grace delivered one of his characteristic sermons on the Church and its teachings, concluding by exhorting those present, of whom a large number were non-Catholics, to investigate the teachings of the Catholic Church, and although the world might scorn them for accepting her teachings, they must not hesitate on that account, for the most important thing in life was the salvation of their souls.” The story also included a description of the first church, “The church is very handsomely designed and commodious. A beautiful image of St. Patrick adorns the main altar, the church being named for the great apostle of the Irish.”
Father Joseph Berne was the first pastor. He lived in the two rooms in the rear of the church. Shortly after, he moved his residence to Dallas. From that time until the early 1950s, the parish was a mission of various larger parishes in the area.
In September of 1953, the Franciscan Fathers, who staffed Serra Catholic High School in Salem, undertook to serve at St. Patrick in its years of rapid growth. In 1955, under the guidance of Father Theophane Robertson, OFM, the parish decided to build a larger church, which cost approximately $100,000. The present church was dedicated on January 19, 1966, by Archbishop Edward D. Howard. Father Neal E. Brogan succeeded Father Robertson in 1969, and in 1973 Father James Brady became pastor. Father Brady led St. Patrick for 10 years, then left in 1983 to become pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fountain, Colorado. In the interim before Father Brad Killingsworth joined St. Patrick as pastor, Father Henry Herrera of Dallas served the parish needs. Father Killingsworth arrived in December of 1983, and shortly thereafter a second priest also came to serve at St. Patrick. Father Andres Guererro of Mexico, who had served at St. Patrick as a deacon, and who had been newly ordained in Portland that same December, arrived to tend to the needs of the Spanish-speaking members of the church, as well as migrant workers in the area.
The late 1950s proved to be a period of marked growth of the Spanish-speaking members, and coincided with construction of the new church building. For the past 20 years, the Spanish-speaking Apostolate has been very active in the parish, including formation of the Comite Hispano, and the church’s Social Concerns Commission. St. Patrick was the first parish in the Archdiocese to welcome Father Francis Kennard as the Archdiocesan Apostolate to Spanish-speaking people. The first bi-lingual Mass was said at St. Patrick by Father Kennard in 1971. (Following 17 years in Peru, Father Kennard was named vicar for Spanish-speaking members of the Catholic church for the whole Diocese of Western Oregon.)
The Diamond Jubilee celebration of St. Patrick will take the form of a bi-lingual Mass concelebrated by Father Killingsworth and Guererro. It will take place almost 75 years to the day of the dedication of the first Church of St. Patrick in Independence. The celebration, fittingly being held on the Feast of Christ the King, will be at 12 noon, November 24, 1985 at the church. Extra chairs will have to be brought in to accommodate the overflow crowd of parishioners expected to attend. Indeed, from a tiny seed planted in 1910, the sturdy oak has grown!
TIDBITS FROM THE PAST
Several priests have served St Patrick over the years, including Bishop Francis Leipzig of Baker. Until the arrival of Father Theophane Robertson, OFM, as resident pastor, this mission of St. Patrick was served by the priests of Sheridan, Corvallis, McMinnville, Salem and Shaw. Others more recent whose names may be remembered by present parishioners are Fathers Robertson, Frank Knusel, Ronald Alves, Christian Mondor, John Francis de Paemelaere, Neal Brogan, Hendry Herrera, and of course, most recently, Father Jim Brady. The named priests have been invited to attend our 75th celebration. It is hoped as many as possible will be able to do so. Those who cannot attend have been asked to send a short remembrance of their time at St. Patrick.