On Holy Thursday, hundreds of parishioners gather in the gym of St Joseph’s Catholic School in Salem to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The space has been their makeshift church since October due to the fire that devastated parts of the church and school on Aug. 31.
The congregation of St. Joseph Church overflowed past the gym’s entryway, filling two separate spaces — the school cafeteria and an expanded classroom — fitted with screens to stream the mass.
Spoken and sung in English and Spanish with missalettes offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the church’s Mass garners attendance from all over the city. The Holy Thursday service commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when the first sacrament of Holy Communion was established. It is especially important to the Catholic community as it begins the Easter Triduum, marking the end of the Lenten season and culminating with the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Since the fire and subsequent water damage forced the parish to adjust their services, the community has stayed strong, parishioners said.
Father Jeff Meeuwsen uses a thurible during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic School in Salem. The church building was damaged in a fire this past summer, and repairs to the sanctuary are ongoing. In the meantime, the church is using its gym and auditorium, as well as several overflow locations, in its place. Dave Killen / The Oregonian
“Within our own community here, everyone just came together as a family, because that’s what we are,” parishioner Alexander James Cornwell said on Thursday, remembering the aftermath of the fire.
Cornwell said that he converted to Catholicism through the parish back in 2018 after finding St. Joseph. With no timeline of when the church reconstruction will be completed, attendees continue to flood the parish with support through donations and volunteerism.
The community is very united, Maria Elena Ruiz, the pastoral associate for Hispanic ministry, said in Spanish. There are more people attending Masses now than before the fire occurred, she said.
Ruiz has been working and volunteering for the church for almost 20 years. When she heard about the fire, she was shocked and initially didn’t believe the news was real.
She described coming to the church at dawn the day after the fire. The building was dark and filled with smoke— no one was permitted to enter. The atmosphere that morning was heavy and very sad among the staff who gathered across the street, she said.
The fire started in a dumpster behind the church; Salem Police investigators later determined it was arson.
The area where a fire that damaged St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem started this past summer. Repairs to the sanctuary are ongoing. In the meantime, the church is using its gym and auditorium, as well as several overflow locations, in its place. The parish celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Dave Killen / The Oregonian
Despite all that has occurred, it’s beautiful to be a part of this ministry, Ruiz said.
Immediately after the fire, an outdoor sanctuary was set up under a tent in the parking lot for Masses. In October, services were moved inside the gym — initially only half of the space was usable since the back wall was unstable from the damage.
The school was the first priority for reconstruction since it was set to open Sept. 5, only five days after the fire. Workers were able to complete enough repairs to open the school Sept. 11, but the church is still under heavy construction.
Most of the repair work will be covered by insurance, the Rev. Jeffrey Meeuwsen shared. But donations from the community have helped the parish with remaining costs.
Father Jeff Meeuwsen stands in the sanctuary of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem. The church was damaged in a fire this past summer, and repairs are ongoing. In the meantime, the church is using its gym and auditorium, as well as several overflow locations, in place of the sanctuary. The parish celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Dave Killen / The Oregonian
Meeuwsen had been pastor at the church for only two months when the fire happened.
“So that first month in July when I was assigned, I was just getting to know the staff and some of the small groups,” Meeuwsen said.
While Meeuwsen was new to the parish, the church, founded in 1853, has been a part of Salem for over 170 years.
“It’s been around since before the state of Oregon was founded,” Meeuwsen said. “I really came into a lot of history.”
There is a lot of joy within the diverse communities that attend the church, according to Arturo Mendoza, who said he frequently volunteers as a greeter and altar server.
We’ll continue moving forward, Mendoza said in Spanish. Sometimes, bad things happen and it’s sad, but a lot of good can come from those moments.
Easter services will continue as planned in the school gym beginning with a bilingual Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. Saturday. Around 40 members of the church will be baptized, confirmed or receive their first Holy Communion this weekend, said Meeuwsen.
Two Masses will be offered on Saturday preceding the Easter Vigil. Seven Masses will be offered on Easter Sunday in Latin, English, Spanish and Vietnamese. A full list of weekend services and times can be found here.
Donations for reconstruction of the church can be made here.
Faith and cultural connections
— Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna
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