St. James, the first English Lutheran Church in Oregon, came into being on March 2, 1890. Rev. M. L. Zweizig led a group of 30 interested people. On October 15 a constitution was adopted and the trustees were authorized to purchase two lots on the corner of SW Park (the present site) at a cost “not to exceed $200.” A year later the Pioneer Chapel was erected, and in 1910 the present church was built. An education and office building was added in 1958. In recognition of its historic place and character in the life of the city of Portland, St. James was listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1974. Two grants from the Collins Foundation and the National Historic Registry made a $600,000 restoration project possible. During the years of its early history, St. James participated in the organization of the Pacific Synod of the ULC, the founding of the Pacific Lutheran Seminary, the formation of the Lutheran Family Service, and the establishment of nine new Lutheran congregations in the Northwest. Later there were years of conflict. Not all members wanted community involvement. People left and membership declined. Nevertheless, in time there was new growth. In the fifties, membership figures were over 1200. New interest developed in radio, television, and ecumenical ministry. Once again there were difficulties. The turmoil of the 1960s did not leave St. James untouched, and hard decisions had to be made. But new life came once again to an old downtown church. An older congregation became younger in the average age of its members. A Child Development Center now cares for 80 children; new worship and educational programs attract 50% of the membership every week; an enlarged staff meets more needs and develops more programs; and the fine facilities of the church provide space for various church and community programs.
From the guide to the St. James Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon, Records, 1890-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)
