Sacred Heart Portland

Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1893. The Benedictine Fathers of Mount Angel were asked to staff the parish in 1894 and continued to do so until 1998. The present day church was originally located at SE Boise Street and Milwaukie Avenue. The pillars inside the church were cut from trees growing on the property. In 1910 a new location was purchased from the Oregon Central Railroad Company and the church building was moved to its recent site at 11th and Center. The rectory was built that year too. A school, hall and convent were added later completing the parish complex that stood for nearly 100 years. The high ground on the western edge of Brooklyn came to be called Benedictine Heights on Portland maps. This name remains today as a reminder of the early Catholic influence. Sacred Heart Parish emerged as a force in the neighborhood during its early growth. Gregory Hall on Center Street was the center of much and varied activity over the years. In the 1920's the hall was leased to Kiser Studios for the production of silent films. Approximately twelve silent films were made in the sandlot next to the hall. A young Boris Karloff played in Flames, a movie about the logging industry which was filmed at Sacred Heart. In the 1940's, the Young People's Club sponsored many dances for the young folks of the city. Events and films aside, Sacred Heart Parish has long served the needs of the poor in this area and elsewhere. After the stock market crash in 1929, Fr Gregory Robl, pastor from 1903 to 1945 was instrumental in providing food and finding jobs for people. After WWII, clothing, and blankets and food were packed for shipment from our rectory to the war torn countries of Europe. Sacred Heart School closed in 1992 due to low enrollment. Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center was housed in the building for three years until it was forced to close because the building did not meet City of Portland seismic requirements. In 2004, the parish sold property for the creation of a senior living facility. Gregory Hall was torn down in early 2005, while Sacred Heart School was demolished in June of that year.