1280 NW Saltzman Road
St. Pius is located on the western edge of Portland. Actually, according to my map of Portland, it is in Cedar Mill, but it has a Portland mailing address and is part of the Portland Archdiocese.
The most impression formed duuring my visit to St. Pius X was the size of the "campus." It has a very large parking lot, a good-sized church building, a parish community building, school buildings, an "old church" (former chapel) and a St. Vincent de Paul building. (I may have left out a building or two.)
The 10:30 am Mass was nearly full. The pews form a large semi-circle around the alter. The choir has the most professional appearing microphones I have seen in a church. They looked ready to record an album. The priest that said Mass was African and is not listed on the website as "staff." He did not seem like a visiting priest, so I imagine he says Mass there on a regular basis.
The parishioners were mostly White with a small number of Latinos and Asians. The church interior is modern with large exposed beams made of laminated 2 by 8 boards, stained dark. The beams were arranged like wheel spokes, meeting in the middle.
Judging by the website this is a big and active church. However, there is nothing terribly interesting about the church to recommend visiting it if you do not live in the area. It does not compare to other churches I have visited in Portland in terms of interest: no interesting racial make-up, cultural heritage, unique architecture or distinctive rite. However, I am sure it is a wonderful church to belong to if your family lives in the Bethany or Cedar Mill residential areas.
