St. Patrick Catholic Church is another beautiful Catholic church. Unfortunately, progress has left it positioned almost directly under the Highway 30 exit from Interstate 405 in northwest Portland. Ignoring that unfortunate fact, it is a handsome historic stone edifice in what was once a working class neighborhood. Built in 1889, it is the oldest Catholic church in Portland.
There are only two Masses: an 8:30 a.m. Mass in Spanish and a 10:30 a.m. Mass in English. I went to the 10:30 Mass on a cool and rainy November day. The sun came out intermittently during Mass, though, highlighting the stained glass windows.
Monsignor Timothy Murphy presided. Father Murphy is as dry as the Sahara. At first his delivery was so clipped and monotone I thought he might be angry or depressed. He could give Ben Stein a run for his money.
Not recognizing me as one of their own, the parishioners treated me like the dangerous unknown entity that I have come to expect to be treated like at these unfamiliar Catholic churches. Northwest Portland is now home to the fairly well-to-do. I am curious to see if when I visit some poorer churches on the east side the natives are any friendlier.
Love this blog. So many of us get into a rut, just attending the same masses over and over again. It is comforting to know that we have so many choices and one citizen is doing all of the legwork for us!!!
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