Our History and Traditions
In November 1907, the Jesuits established St. Ignatius Parish in Portland in what was then the Archdiocese of Oregon City. The Jesuits had purchased a ten acre tract near Creston on the Mt. Scott street railway line and began construction of a combination school and chapel (costing approximately $12,000.00), and a residence. Classes began September 21, 1908 under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Names. The building was dedicated by Archbishop Christie. There were 33 girls and 29 boys in its first year.
In 1948 and 1950, much renovation was done on the building including the addition of new classrooms and improvements in the kitchen and hall. In 1953, the first unit of a new school was built under the direction of Father Henry Schultheis, pastor. This enlarged the classroom space to 12 rooms, and the enrollment grew to 525 students.
In April 1960, seven new classrooms were added, and the old school building and church were razed. By June 1962, dedication of new buildings included a new hall and cafeteria (erected on the site of the old church/school building) and the present parish office building. The razing of the old church and school building was a community effort involving many of the men of the parish. Several steel supporting beams originally in the old church now support the parish office carport and covered walkway. An interesting discovery during the razing was a bottle of wine encased in the walls of the original building. It was now over 50 years old and shared in celebration by those who labored to raze the building.
During the summer of 1997, the Jr. high Language Arts room and the adjoining storage room, traditionally called the "sweatbox," was converted to a 30 PC computer lab.
St. Ignatius is not an ordinary parish. It possesses a unique parish consciousness and oneness of spirit - the same spirit its original 60 members possessed. We welcome you in joining us in celebration of 100 years of educating youth!
