A Parish at the Heart of Downtown Eugene
St. Mary Catholic Church fills a full city block in downtown Eugene, Oregon, between West 10th and West 11th Avenues and Charnelton and Lincoln Streets. The parish has occupied that ground since 1887 and now gathers thousands of families around a 1927 modified Gothic church, an Adoration Chapel, a Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Parish Hall, the old St. Mary School building, offices, conference rooms, a library, classrooms, and several courtyards. Visitors arriving for Sunday Mass step into one of the oldest continuous Catholic communities in Lane County.
The parish describes itself as a Eucharistic community united in Christ and proclaiming God's love through evangelization, service, liturgy, prayer, and education. St. Mary is part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and is led by Rev. Amir Irudayaraj, SDB, as pastor. He is assisted by two parochial vicars, Rev. (Raj) Arockiaraj Michael Pandi, HGN, and Rev. John Stephen Ariko, AJ, along with retired priest Rev. Bryce McProud. Pastoral Associate Marybeth Schombert and a team of coordinators round out the staff.
A History Spanning More Than a Century
St. Mary Parish was established in 1887 when Fr. Francis Beck became the first resident pastor. The first regularly scheduled Masses were said in a church bought from the Methodists and moved to 11th and Willamette. A four-room school was built alongside the church in 1889.
The second church was built specifically for the parish at 11th and Willamette during the pastorship of Fr. James O'Farrell and dedicated on March 24, 1907. Around 1920, during the pastorate of Fr. Edwin O'Hara, the bulk of the present city block was purchased. The old church was moved to the 11th and Lincoln corner of the block, and the four-room school was moved to the Lincoln Street side and expanded.
On February 2, 1927, ground was broken for the present St. Mary Catholic Church. The church was completed and dedicated on October 12 of that same year. It was built in modified Gothic style, and windows from the older church were incorporated into the walls of the new north and south transepts. The main altar was built in Italy using Botticini marble with a reredos of red Verona marble. A large crucifix was mounted above the altar and backed by a dark blue and gold brocade drape. The altar rail and baptismal gates were made by hand. A 1,398-pipe organ was built and installed by the Reuter Organ Company. As additional building, renovation, and restoration has taken place on the block, special attention has been given to recognizing and working within the style and tradition of the main church.
Mass, Reconciliation, and Adoration
Sunday Masses at St. Mary are celebrated on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm (Vigil) and on Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:30 pm in Spanish, and 5:30 pm Praise and Worship. When a national holiday falls on a weekday, an English Mass is offered at 9:00 am.
Daily Mass is offered throughout the week: Monday and Tuesday at 12:15 pm; Wednesday and Thursday at 8:00 am and 12:15 pm; Friday at 12:15 pm; and Saturday at 8:00 am.
Reconciliation is heard on Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon and on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the church. If additional time is needed, parishioners may call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with a priest.
The Adoration Chapel is open every day from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Fridays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the chapel and on Saturdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the church. Registered parishioners may contact the Parish Office for the door code. The parish livestreams Mass on YouTube, and a generous donor has helped the parish sustain the livestream for those who cannot attend in person.
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
St. Mary offers preparation for every Catholic sacrament. Baptisms of infants and young children take place on the first Sunday of each month, with preparation required and expecting parents encouraged to contact the parish office as early as possible. Baptisms of older children are celebrated in English on the first Saturday and in Spanish on the second Saturday.
First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared through a series of additional events readied for children aged seven and up, with First Reconciliation in the fall and First Communion in the spring. Adults preparing for these sacraments follow the OCIA process described below.
Confirmation for youth in grades 7 through 12 begins with monthly classes in the fall. Adult Confirmation classes meet one Saturday a month from January through April, with the goal of confirmation in May or June. The actual date of the rite is set by the bishop's calendar.
Couples wishing to marry at St. Mary are asked to contact the parish office no less than six months before their intended wedding date, as a period of preparation is required before any wedding is scheduled.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone seriously ill, facing major surgery, or in danger of death from failing health. Catholic funerals are celebrated during the 12:15 pm Daily Mass and may be planned or pre-planned through the Parish Office. Funerals are performed only for Catholics unless there is a special circumstance that would make it permissible.
Becoming Catholic: OCIA and Adult Faith Formation
Adults seeking Baptism, full Communion with the Catholic Church, or simply a deeper understanding of the faith follow the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Classes combine group discussion, video, group prayer, and discernment. OCIA sessions meet every Tuesday night from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Parish Center.
Other adult formation includes a Bible-study track hosted on the FORMED platform, with the parish code available from the Parish Office, and Natural Family Planning classes offered in English and Spanish. The Adult Social Club gathers on Thursdays at 1:15 pm.
Hispanic Ministry and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Hispanic Ministry coordinates the Spanish-language Mass, sacramental preparation, religious education, music, and youth ministry for the Spanish-speaking members of St. Mary. The Sunday 12:30 pm Mass is celebrated in Spanish.
Two faith communities anchor the ministry. La Esperanza meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center for Life in the Spirit evenings that deepen participants' relationship with Jesus Christ and awaken the power of the Holy Spirit. On Fridays at 7:00 pm the group gathers for an evening of prayer and fellowship.
The Guadalupe Ministry promotes the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, on December 12. Each year the celebration features the singing of the traditional Mananitas, an Aztec dance, and a dinner in the Parish Center following the evening feast day Mass. All are welcome to take part.
Children, Youth, and Faith Formation
Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 10:00 am Sunday Mass for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. After the priest's blessing, catechists lead the children to hear the Sunday Gospel at an age-appropriate level, and rejoin the congregation at the Creed. There is no cost and registration is not required.
Faith Formation for grades K through 6 meets Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 9:45 am during the school year. K-1st graders focus on Creation, prayer, the teachings of Jesus, and preparation for First Communion. Grades 3-6 continue in the Catholic tradition and prepare for Confirmation. Parent-Catechist meetings are held from 9:00 to 9:45 am on the third Sunday of each month.
Youth Ministry is open to all middle and high school students. Youth Group meets on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from September to June, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, just after the 5:30 pm Praise and Worship Mass. Meetings are held in the Parish Center and include food, fellowship, and faith.
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music plays a central role in the liturgical life of St. Mary. The Music Director, David Phillips, leads a parish music tradition that combines traditional and contemporary music. Organist Larry Clabby accompanies the parish choir and congregation, including weekly practice on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm for singers interested in joining the 10:00 am Sunday choir. Reading music is not required.
St. Mary's published four studio albums during the pastorate of Fr. Scott Vandehey. The Bells of St. Mary's, You Are Mine, Full of Grace, and Hovering Dove remain available on streaming platforms, with all proceeds going to the parish. CDs and cassette tapes are also available for purchase in the parish office.
Liturgical ministry is broad. Cross bearers, altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers assist the priests at each of the liturgies held weekly. Altar servers must be in third grade or higher and have made their First Communion. Lectors must be fully initiated Catholics with a habit of praying with Scripture. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned for the role after preparation. The Altar Society cares for the church, altar, sanctuary, vestments, linens, and flowers, and welcomes new members.
Outreach and Service to the Community
Outreach Ministry is led by Director Lilly Hagen. Volunteers make home visits to homebound parishioners within St. Mary boundaries, bringing the bulletin, news, and the Eucharist through commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound. The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers knitters and crocheters who create shawls and lap blankets for those in difficult circumstances; baby blankets and hats are donated to the 1st Way Pregnancy Resource Center.
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Mary meets at 1:30 pm on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the Parish Center. Members grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to neighbors in need. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Oregon #118, established in October 1909, is one of the largest Catholic women's organizations in the world and welcomes women aged 18 and older to monthly meetings.
Sunday Hospitality follows the 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 12:00 pm Masses each Sunday, with freshly cooked breakfasts prepared by several parish ministry groups and Coffee and Donuts on the second and fourth Sundays. The Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Discernment Group meets on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the St. Matthew room.
Beyond the parish, St. Mary maintains community links with Catholic Community Services of Lane County, Saint Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Eugene Mission, 1st Way Pregnancy Center, White Bird Clinic, Project Aurora (healing after abortion), miscarriage support, and the Eugene Tool Box Project.
O'Hara Catholic School
O'Hara Catholic School is the parish school and serves preschool through eighth grade as an area school accredited through the Western Catholic Education Association. It welcomes families from St. Mary, St. Jude, St. Peter, St. Mark, St. Thomas More Newman Center, St. Alice, St. Helen, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Henry. The school is staffed by lay teachers with religious and diocesan priests visiting the classrooms regularly. Fr. Ronald Nelson serves as pastor of the school, and Tammy Conway is principal.
The school traces its history to 1889, when Fr. Francis Beck arranged for Benedictine Sisters from Mount Angel to run a four-room building. The Sisters of the Holy Names arrived in 1916 and ran it for many years. In 1921 the State Superintendent of Schools accepted St. Mary as a standard school of the State of Oregon. In 1971 St. Mary Grade School became the first area school in Oregon, serving multiple parishes. In 1978 the school was renamed O'Hara Catholic School in honor of Bishop Edwin V. O'Hara, a former pastor of St. Mary's Parish and School and the first Superintendent of Catholic Schools of Oregon.
The Parish Library
The St. Mary Parish Library holds more than 3,100 volumes of Catholic Christian books, films, and music. Many of the books are no longer in print and considered valuable treasures. The library is located inside St. Joseph's room next to the Adoration Chapel and is open in person on the second and third Sundays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Registered parishioners may also browse the collection online and reserve materials; Library Stewards handle hold requests and arrange pickup times, usually on Sundays.
Core Values
St. Mary names four core values in the life of the parish.
- Tradition. The parish is a Eucharistic community committed to the sacred traditional liturgy, music, and sacraments of the Roman Catholic faith.
- Education. The parish dedicates itself to making high-quality religious education available for parishioners, returning Catholics, and those interested in the faith.
- Stewardship. The parish encourages all members to share their time, talent, and treasure as a way of life.
- Outreach. The parish is dedicated to a sense of belonging through faith-sharing, reconciliation, and the welcoming of all people, especially those in need.
Visiting St. Mary
Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages guests to dress in whatever makes them comfortable, with a request that shorts and skirts be of a conservative length, that shoulders be covered, and that clothing in general be modest, respectable, and conservative. United in Christ booklets in the vestibules describe the order of the Mass, the postures, and the words to each prayer for those who want to follow along. Non-Catholics are invited to come forward with their hands crossed over their chests for a special blessing rather than receive Communion.
The parish property sits on an entire city block with half the block dedicated to parking spaces, and metered on-street parking is available nearby. Visitors with hearing difficulties may see an usher before Mass to borrow an assistance device. The Parish Office and Catholic store are open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm or by appointment, and the parish office can be reached at 541-342-1139 or information@stmaryeugene.com.