HISTORY: St. James Lutheran Church, the first English-speaking Lutheran Church in Oregon, had its beginnings in 1890 in a small wooden chapel on the corner of SW Park and Jefferson streets in downtown Portland. Over a century later, the church has grown from that small building to encompass over half a city block with the Pioneer Chapel built in 1891, the main sanctuary completed in 1907, the education building added in 1956, and the St. James Apartment complex completed in 1994. In 1975 St. James was designated a National Historic Site because of its West Coast Ecclesiastical History. Over the years St. James grew not only in size, but in reaching out to the community with a variety of social programs.
MISSION: The people of St. James have been gathered together by God, to worship in Word and Sacrament, to grow in faith and understanding, and to learn and affirm and care for all other people even as God has so loved and affirmed us.
In 1991, St. James became Reconciling in Christ (RIC), being one of four Lutheran Churches in the state of Oregon that welcomes people of every lifestyle and race to worship and participate in all of the church's programs. We are committed to serving our community in many ways. We have the largest day care in Portland. A vital music program and liturgy is part of our mission to all people. We sponsor a foot clinic at the church and hold community focused programs throughout the year. We are a people called by God, and committed to sharing our lives with people of diversity.
MINISTRIES: A wide variety of ministries occur at St. James including:
Assistants at worship Making quilts Choir singers and bell ringers Spiritual Life Team Habitat for Humanity building homes for low income families Mission trips Visiting members Outreach and marketing Making prayer shawls Helping in a community garden Teaching in our Sunday School Working on social justice and global ministries
STAFF:
Pastor Jim Flachsbart, Pastor
Nancy Nickel, Minister of Music
Sharon Kurtz, Bookkeeper
Rhonda Fessler, Receptionist/Publications
Jo Ann Rauch, Director of Child Development Center (C.D.C.)
Public 
