Diocesan Institutions and Other Church Organizations
The Bishop’s Close is home of the offices of the diocese in Portland. The property is the former Peter Kerr Estate given to the diocese in 1959. The Close sits on a high bluff overlooking the Willamette River and includes six acres of cultivated English gardens (the Elk Rock Garden) that are open to the public in accordance with Peter Kerr’s wishes.
Oregon Episcopal School
The Oregon Episcopal School (OES) in Portland began life as the girls’ St. Helens Hall (founded in 1869) and the boys’ Bishop Dagwell Hall, and is a nationally ranked independent school. OES has an outstanding math, science and technology program and facilities and is renowned for its focus on individual research. Eighty percent of the upper school students participate in sports and the school also excels in the performing arts . OES’s 830 day and boarding students come from all over the United States and from 12 counties in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Bishop of Oregon serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Diocesan Convention elects nine Trustees.
Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center, Portland
Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center, Portland, was founded in Portland in October 1875 by pioneering Oregon Episcopalians. Today, it is a nationally recognized medical and teaching center. In 1989 the Diocese relinquished management and operation to the Legacy Health System, a nonprofit corporation. However, the hospital is still associated with the diocese and there are four chaplains and a Director of Spiritual Care who are Episcopal priests. The Chapel of Good Samaritan remains under the Bishop’s authority. The Bishop and one Director, elected by Diocesan Convention, serve on the Legacy Health System Board of Directors. The Corporation operates seven hospitals in the Portland metropolitan area including Emanuel Hospital, founded by early Lutherans.
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis is the flagship institution of the five-hospital network comprising Samaritan Health Services in the Corvallis area. The hospital was founded in 1921 as Corvallis General. The owners relinquished control to the Diocese in 1948 and the hospital was renamed Good Samaritan, Corvallis. The Bishop of Oregon is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and appoints two additional Board members.
William Temple House
While William Temple House, Portland (WTH) isn’t formally a Diocesan Institution , it has a close association with the diocese. Founded in the 1960s as the Episcopal Layman’s Mission Society to operate a center for pastoral and licensed professional psychological counseling, its mission expanded to include emergency assistance for individuals and families in crisis. WTH today provides mental health counseling, emergency social services, health and hygiene services, as well as food and clothing to thousands of clients in the Portland metropolitan area and beyond. It partners with Ss. Peter and Paul, Portland on a family dentistry program; St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukie to provide a children’s clothing facility; All Saints, Hillsboro, which provides services at William Temple House West; and with St. Andrew, Portland to provide social services in North Portland.
Center for Community Counseling
In 1978, St. Thomas, Eugene was instrumental in founding the Center for Community Counseling which provides affordable counseling and education to adults with limited financial resources in Eugene and Lane County. Some 80 professionals volunteer their time to provide an array of individual counseling including adult anger management classes and nurturing parent classes. The Bishop appoints one member of the Board of Directors.
Samaritan Village, Corvallis
Samaritan Village, Corvallis is a retirement facility sponsored by the Diocese of Oregon and in operation since 1962. Located near community health facilities, Oregon State University and other services, residents are able to enjoy the cultural advantages of neighbouring institutions. The Bishop of Oregon is President of the Board of Trustees.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Many individual congregations in the diocese, and the Diocese itself, are active participants in the work of the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO), a statewide association of mainline Christian institutions (including Anglican, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox bodies). Through community ministry, public policy advocacy, theological dialogue and environmental ministry, EMO seeks to bring Oregon’s diverse faith community together. Two members of the Board of Directors are ordained Episcopalians.
Northwest House of Theological Studies
In the 1990’s there was no school of theology in the Pacific Northwest that met the needs of mainline churches. This led to the formation of the Northwest House of Theological Studies (NHTS). NHTS students can complete part of the coursework toward a Master of Divinity degree in a quality, Northwest-focused educational environment. The Diocese of Oregon joined with five other denominational bodies, six divinity schools (including the Episcopal Church Divinity School of the Pacific), and Willamette University to create and operate the NHTS on the Willamette Campus in Salem. The Board of Directors includes two Episcopalians from the Diocese (one lay, one priest) as well as representatives of the United Methodist Church, the American Baptist Churches of Oregon, the Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ.
