PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A massive domed building that overlooks one of the busiest corners in Beaverton may house the only Catholic order actually founded in Oregon.
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon began more than 100 years ago. A few young women from a Minnesota Catholic Order went searching for their own path. They established themselves in Sublimity as the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood and went to work teaching in the local parish right away.
Five years later in 1891, the Sisters were asked to serve at St. Mary’s Orphanage in Beaverton and, in 1905, they changed their name to the Sisters of St. Mary.
Today, the Sisters continue their mission to serve as educators at their historic 43-acre campus located at the intersection of TV Highway and Southwest Murray Boulevard.
A brick building they call the “Motherhouse” is a central feature at the site. Sister Charlene Herinckx, the superior general of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, said the Motherhouse serves as the Sisters’ headquarters.
“We have a total of 59 sisters and about 50 of them live right here in this building,” she said.
Sister Herinckx told KOIN 6 News there’s never a dull moment.
From Sister Angeline, who has been with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon for 75 years, to Sister Thanh Pham, who followed her aunt into the community — the Sisterhood is an Oregon treasure.
“I fell in love with their sisterly love and how warmingly they welcome everyone,” said Sister Pham.
The campus is home to Valley Catholic School — Oregon’s only pre-K through 12th grade Catholic educational system. Roughly 1,000 students attend the school.
The Sisters — many of whom also teach at other locations around Oregon — also hold citizenship classes and teach English as a second language. The Sisters also established a nursing home, called Maryville, in 1963 to care for the elderly.
It comes as no surprise that their community is, in Sister Herinckx’s words, “always very busy.”
Busy as they are, the Sisters never lose sight of their mission.
“Our commitment to God to serve people in whatever way we can,” said Sister Herinckx.
