Oregon Church Records

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Oregon were Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian (Disciples of Christ).

Some early Episcopal and Catholic records are available at the Oregon State Library. Roman Catholic records for 1838 to 1869 have been published in M. Leona Nichols, Mantle of Elias, The Story of Fathers Blanchet and Demers in Early Oregon (Portland, Oregon: Binfords and Mort, 1941; FHL book 979 V26n; film 372495). An index is at the Oregon State Archives.

The Family History Library collection includes histories of some denominations, such as the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. The library has few original church records for Oregon.

A guide to help you locate churches and their records is the Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations, State of Oregon (Portland, Oregon: Historical Records Survey, 1940; FHL book 979.5 K24d; fiche 6051178).

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses:

Baptist
American Baptist—Samuel Colgate Historical Society 1106 S. Goodman Street Rochester, NY 14620-2532 Telephone: 716-473-1740 Fax: 716-473-1740

Northrup Library Linfield College 900 S. Baker McMinnville, OR 97128-9989 Telephone: 503-434-2262 Fax: 503-434-2566

Disciples of Christ
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 1101 19th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 Telephone: 615-327-1444 Fax: 615-327-1445

Methodist
United Methodist Archives Center Drew University Library 36 Madison Avenue Madison, NJ 07940 Telephone: 973-408-3189 Fax: 973-408-3909 Mailing address: P.O. Box 127 Madison, NJ 07940

Presbyterian
Presbyterian Historical Society Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 425 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 Telephone: 215-627-1852 Fax: 215-627-0509

To locate Presbyterian records, see Inventory of Church Archives of Oregon Presbyterian Churches: 1968 Arrangement with Indexes (N.p.: Historical Records Survey, WPA, 1968; FHL film 899323).

Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon Chancery Office 2838 E. Burnside Street Portland, OR 97214-1895 Telephone: 503-234-5334 Fax: 503-234-2545 Mailing address: P.O. Box 351 Portland, OR 97214-1895