Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon history

James Healy was ordained as the nation's first African-American bishop on June 2, 1875, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Within a month of his return from Japan in 1906, he was named Archbishop of Boston.

Numerous Catholic elementary schools, high schools, and colleges opened during his tenure, which was also marked by the rigors of World War II. In 1946, the Holy See provided Bishop McCarthy with the diocese’s first auxiliary bishop, Daniel J. Feeney, a native of Portland.

By 1948, the administration of the diocese fell to Bishop Feeney due to Bishop McCarthy’s declining health.

St Pius X Parish began as the Cedar Mill Mission in 1953 in the then sparsely populated area of Washington County known as Cedar Mill.

The first Mass was held on August 15, 1954.

That same year, 1955, saw the ordination of 15 candidates to the priesthood for the diocese, the largest class ever in Maine.

In the fall of 1960, nineteen first and second graders began their school year in a makeshift classroom in the church.

Archbishop Howard dedicated St Pius X School on April 23, 1964.

The illustrious Leipzig Award has honored exemplary individuals since its 1972 inception.

After eight years in Maine, Bishop Gerety was appointed Archbishop of Newark in 1974.

Bishop O’Leary retired for reasons of health in 1988.

- Joseph D. McKay, 1992, enthusiastic postmaster and mayor of St Paul, Oregon, founder of local historical society and museum curator.

A new Saint Dominic Regional High School opened in January 2002, realizing a long-held dream of its alumni and supporters.