Life In and Around St. James

St. James is a church community comprised of diverse members who worship and gather regularly in our historic buildings in downtown Portland, OR. But life isn’t just happening around St. James. In the past 100 years our humble corner of downtown Portland has seen much change,...

Being Lutheran

Lutherans in the United States had their organizational origins predominantly in the national churches of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Many congregations retained in liturgy and fellowship the languages and social patterns of their ethnic background well into the twentieth...

Architectural History

To see photos of the many architectural details of St. James, click here. Australian-born Portland architect Phillip Chappell Browne designed the first permanent chapel, sanctuary, and parsonage for St. James Lutheran Church on the present site in 1891.  Browne specialized in...

Neighborhood

St. James is located in Portland’s Cultural District facing the South Park Blocks, an area of rich architectural heritage and the city’s cultural heart. St. James has been an integral part of this community for over 100 years. This area of downtown Portland is filled with...

Worship and Music

Worship is the central gathering point for life and work at St. James.  As we gather we recall the classic elements of Christian gathering since the earliest times of the Church: ● Confession and Absolution ● Praise ● Reading of Sacred Texts from Hebrew and Christian...

Groups and Ministries

St. James has a number of opportunities to get involved both inside and outside our building’s walls.  There are several groups that meet regularly to discuss books, art, and practice spiritual writing. We are also committed to serving those in need by providing many...

Open Space (Adult)

Sundays Year-Round, 11:00am-12:00pm Open Space takes place most Sunday mornings in the Pioneer Chapel of St. James Lutheran Church. All are invited to attend and listen, participate, learn, grow, and share as we develop a stronger sense of our individual faith and also who we...

Special Occasions

As people of faith our lives are full of opportunities for celebration! From small intimate gatherings with a few close friends to large festive holidays that our community commemorates with the wider church, St. James is a wonderful place to participate in or plan a special...

Feast of St. James