100 Years of Ministry
St. Charles Parish was established in 1913 by Archbishop Alexander Christie in response to the population growth of East Portland. The first resident pastor was Fr. George Sniderhon who came in 1915. In 1916, the first church was built at the corner of NE 33rd and Webster Street. The next pastor was Fr. J.P. O’Flynn who came in 1917. He was succeeded by Fr. John A. Moran, and then by Fr. Michael Wallace in 1920. A disastrous fire in 1924 did much damage to the church interior and the parish operated under financial difficulties.
In 1950, Fr. John R. Laidlaw became pastor and was given the task of building a school. Accordingly, a five-acre tract of land at NE 42nd and Emerson Street was purchased. The Sisters of the Holy Child were persuaded to staff the school and a building program was begun. The school opened in September 1950 with four grades in two rooms, and an enrollment of 77 children. Over the years, in response to growth, additions to the school were built as well as a convent. By 1963 there were 587 students. In 1954, Fr. Laidlaw built the present-day church designed in the style of California mission churches. Stained glass windows were added later.
When Fr. Robert Krueger arrived in 1973, he set out to cut budget deficits and to implement the directives of Vatican II. He formed a parish council to assist in the many administrative details, and developed an all-lay staff to head various programs such as the RCIA. When he was reassigned in 1981, the Associate pastor. Fr. Rick Paperini, became administrator and then pastor in 1982. Under his guidance, programs such as Sacramental Preparation and RCIA developed even more. He also undertook the difficult decision to merge St. Charles School with St. Rose School as Archbishop Howard School in 1986 so that quality Catholic education might continue. It was also during his tenure that a new parish center was built after the parish rectory burned in 1984.
In 1988, Fr. Jack Mosbrucker became pastor. He saw the need for the parish to grow even more from a community of people who go to church to a people who are the church. Consequently, additional programs were established to emphasize the need for social justice and outreach to the world. The parish was a founding member of the Portland Organizing Project, currently known as Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG). It was due to this involvement that programs to alleviate high costs of sewer hookups and to eliminate drug houses improved the quality of the surrounding neighborhood. To continue this growth, the 42nd Avenue Revitalization effort was initiated. In 1995, the church interior was remodeled in a style to draw the people together as a family around the Table of the Lord’s Word and Sacrament. The parish also worked to become a relational community. Parishioners gathered in small groups to get to know one another’s stories. Small Church Communities were established to help people connect their faith and everyday lives.
When Fr. Kelly Vandehey arrived in 2000, further outreach was encouraged by Disciples in Mission, a three-year program of evangelization in action as well as in words.
In 2002, Fr. Agnelo Gomes, sfx, a missionary priest from Goa, India, came to St. Charles. He brought an Eastern outlook to the parish and drew us out of our comfort zones. It was at this time that St. Charles became a church rich and vibrant in ethnic and cultural diversity. A multi-cultural ministry helped to nourish this diversity and to guide the parish as it planned for the future.
In July 2007, Fr. John McGrann was assigned as pastor. He reinforced our efforts to be a welcoming parish with many different ministries in support of our diverse community. He sustained St. Charles in being a parish that makes a difference in the lives of the parish, the community and even the world.
In January 2009, we welcomed Fr. Elwin Schwab as our parish priest. Fr. Schwab brings a wealth of experience, intellectual curiosity, and an excellent ability to teach theology and church history, challenging us to think outside of the box, and to see God in the smallest particle of nature.
More change was in store for us when we installed Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak as the parish’s pastoral administrator in July 2009. Sr. Phyllis brings an enthusiasm for the vision of the parish and a great love and appreciation of its people. Her passion for social justice and contemplative spirit helps her lead St. Charles to new and continued growth.
The parish marked its centennial year in 2014 by having a year-long celebration to recognize its diversity, history, school alumni and its commitment to social justice, all with the intent to bring the Kindom of God to our small area of NE Portland.
In 1950, Fr. John R. Laidlaw became pastor and was given the task of building a school. Accordingly, a five-acre tract of land at NE 42nd and Emerson Street was purchased. The Sisters of the Holy Child were persuaded to staff the school and a building program was begun. The school opened in September 1950 with four grades in two rooms, and an enrollment of 77 children. Over the years, in response to growth, additions to the school were built as well as a convent. By 1963 there were 587 students. In 1954, Fr. Laidlaw built the present-day church designed in the style of California mission churches. Stained glass windows were added later.
When Fr. Robert Krueger arrived in 1973, he set out to cut budget deficits and to implement the directives of Vatican II. He formed a parish council to assist in the many administrative details, and developed an all-lay staff to head various programs such as the RCIA. When he was reassigned in 1981, the Associate pastor. Fr. Rick Paperini, became administrator and then pastor in 1982. Under his guidance, programs such as Sacramental Preparation and RCIA developed even more. He also undertook the difficult decision to merge St. Charles School with St. Rose School as Archbishop Howard School in 1986 so that quality Catholic education might continue. It was also during his tenure that a new parish center was built after the parish rectory burned in 1984.
In 1988, Fr. Jack Mosbrucker became pastor. He saw the need for the parish to grow even more from a community of people who go to church to a people who are the church. Consequently, additional programs were established to emphasize the need for social justice and outreach to the world. The parish was a founding member of the Portland Organizing Project, currently known as Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG). It was due to this involvement that programs to alleviate high costs of sewer hookups and to eliminate drug houses improved the quality of the surrounding neighborhood. To continue this growth, the 42nd Avenue Revitalization effort was initiated. In 1995, the church interior was remodeled in a style to draw the people together as a family around the Table of the Lord’s Word and Sacrament. The parish also worked to become a relational community. Parishioners gathered in small groups to get to know one another’s stories. Small Church Communities were established to help people connect their faith and everyday lives.
When Fr. Kelly Vandehey arrived in 2000, further outreach was encouraged by Disciples in Mission, a three-year program of evangelization in action as well as in words.
In 2002, Fr. Agnelo Gomes, sfx, a missionary priest from Goa, India, came to St. Charles. He brought an Eastern outlook to the parish and drew us out of our comfort zones. It was at this time that St. Charles became a church rich and vibrant in ethnic and cultural diversity. A multi-cultural ministry helped to nourish this diversity and to guide the parish as it planned for the future.
In July 2007, Fr. John McGrann was assigned as pastor. He reinforced our efforts to be a welcoming parish with many different ministries in support of our diverse community. He sustained St. Charles in being a parish that makes a difference in the lives of the parish, the community and even the world.
In January 2009, we welcomed Fr. Elwin Schwab as our parish priest. Fr. Schwab brings a wealth of experience, intellectual curiosity, and an excellent ability to teach theology and church history, challenging us to think outside of the box, and to see God in the smallest particle of nature.
More change was in store for us when we installed Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak as the parish’s pastoral administrator in July 2009. Sr. Phyllis brings an enthusiasm for the vision of the parish and a great love and appreciation of its people. Her passion for social justice and contemplative spirit helps her lead St. Charles to new and continued growth.
The parish marked its centennial year in 2014 by having a year-long celebration to recognize its diversity, history, school alumni and its commitment to social justice, all with the intent to bring the Kindom of God to our small area of NE Portland.
St Charles Borromeo
St. Charles Borromeo, our parish patron, was one of the outstanding figures during the period of reform of the Catholic Church in the years following the Protestant Reformation. He was born in 1538 of an aristocratic and wealthy family. Educated in Milan and Pavia, he earned a doctorate in civil and canon law. When his uncle became Pope Pius IV in 1559, he was given many responsibilities including administration of the diocese of Milan, the position of Secretary of State to the Pope, and a Cardinal’s hat, even though he was not an ordained cleric
He was a strong supporter of reopening the Council of Trent, and, on several occasions, prevented its breakup. He was involved in the drafting of the Catechism of the Council, and contributed to the reform of the liturgical books and church music. Charles was profoundly affected by the death of his brother in 1562, which led to his ordination the following year and his consecration as Archbishop of Milan. One of his first acts was to convene a provincial council and to promulgate the decrees of the Council of Trent.
As Archbishop, he adopted a simple lifestyle and gave much of his wealth to the poor. He was an energetic reformer; he made many visits to parishes, organized diocesan administration, established seminaries and founded a confraternity to teach Christian doctrine to children. It is interesting to note that his reforms were not welcomed by all; he was subject to an assassination attempt at one point, and on another occasion, his cathedral clergy refused to cooperate with him.
When a severe plague and famine befell Milan in 1576, he attempted to feed nearly 70,000 people daily, borrowing large sums of money to do so; this took years to repay. When the civil authorities fled the city, he remained, ministering to the sick and dying and helping those in need. Our stained glass windows on St. Charles’ life portray this event.
In 1583, he was appointed Apostolic Visitor to Switzerland to see to the affairs of the church there. All these pastoral events, however, wore him down and he died in 1584 at the age of 46 and was buried in the cathedral in Milan. He was canonized in 1610 and is the patron saint of bishops, catechists, and seminarians.
He was a strong supporter of reopening the Council of Trent, and, on several occasions, prevented its breakup. He was involved in the drafting of the Catechism of the Council, and contributed to the reform of the liturgical books and church music. Charles was profoundly affected by the death of his brother in 1562, which led to his ordination the following year and his consecration as Archbishop of Milan. One of his first acts was to convene a provincial council and to promulgate the decrees of the Council of Trent.
As Archbishop, he adopted a simple lifestyle and gave much of his wealth to the poor. He was an energetic reformer; he made many visits to parishes, organized diocesan administration, established seminaries and founded a confraternity to teach Christian doctrine to children. It is interesting to note that his reforms were not welcomed by all; he was subject to an assassination attempt at one point, and on another occasion, his cathedral clergy refused to cooperate with him.
When a severe plague and famine befell Milan in 1576, he attempted to feed nearly 70,000 people daily, borrowing large sums of money to do so; this took years to repay. When the civil authorities fled the city, he remained, ministering to the sick and dying and helping those in need. Our stained glass windows on St. Charles’ life portray this event.
In 1583, he was appointed Apostolic Visitor to Switzerland to see to the affairs of the church there. All these pastoral events, however, wore him down and he died in 1584 at the age of 46 and was buried in the cathedral in Milan. He was canonized in 1610 and is the patron saint of bishops, catechists, and seminarians.
Special thanks go to Joseph A. Schiwek, Jr. for research and documenting the history of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and the story of our patron saint. A more complete history of the parish can be found in his book, Building a House Where Love Can Dwell, written in 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the parish.