Immaculate Heart Catholic Church

2926 North Williams Avenue, Portland
This little church in North Portland is a gem. Its pink and white exterior is attractive but the inside is the best part. The ceiling is arched and painted sky blue. There are columns throughout like a miniature European cathedral. Behind the alter (in the apse perhaps?) is a statue with the Virgin Mary looking somewhat reminiscent of Superman with red, blue and what is almost yellow. The wall of the apse is painted gold.

But the heart of a church is its people and not its structures, as inspiring as they may be. The pastor is Father Nicolaus Marandu, ALCP. He is a member of the Apostolic Life Community of Priests – Holy Spirit Fathers and is from Tanzania. I had met Fr. Marandu before but I do not think he recognized me. The neighborhood is predominantly black and the congregation was about half black. We sang from the African American Catholic Hymnal. There are icons depicting saints of African descent.

Immaculate Heart also has a Vietnamese priest and Masses in Vietnamese. I would highly recommend visiting this comely church in the heart of North Portland.