The chapel’s then-Pastor, Fr. Louis Weis, was described as “incredulous” when he was informed that that U.S. Bank wanted to build its new 40-story headquarters at the 5th & Burnside Street location. The bank’s offer to help fund the renovation and remodeling of a new location, however, was difficult to turn down, so the fifth and final move for the chapel to its current location at NW 6th & Burnside – the site of the Old Glenwood Hotel – occurred in 1971.
The relocation took place amidst the changing face of the Old Town during the 1960’s and the rebuilding was as turbulent as the times. The former Glenwood Hotel was entirely gutted, leaving only the four outer walls standing. By the time construction was complete in 1973, costing a total of $525,000, the new location included a drop in center, showers & washing machines, an auditorium for gathering, a renovated kitchen, and a information, referral and service center to better assist the rapidly increasing number of transient, unemployed & homeless men arriving to Portland each day.
Since 1971, the chapel has had many names – St. Vincent De Paul, Downtown Chapel Roman Catholic Parish, and now St. André Bessette Catholic Church. Additionally, St. André Bessette has had the pleasure of welcoming Pastors Richard Berg, C.S.C. and Bob Loughery, C.S.C., as well as Associate Pastor Ron Raab, C.S.C. to guide the chapel’s liturgies. Fr. Steve Newton, C.S.C. joined the chapel as Pastor in 2010 and was tasked with taking the initial steps toward a viable parish plan, including the launch of The Open Doors Campaign in 2012. Fr. John Patrick Riley, C.S.C. was named Parish Administrator in the summer of 2013 and served until 2018 when we welcomed Fr. Tom Gaughan, C.S.C..
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