Parish History
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Detailed History - 100 Years as a Parish - 1883-1983
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Holy Trinity began as St. Mary, Refuge of Sinners, dedicated August 12, 1883. It was renamed “Holy Trinity” by Father Charles Keveny in 1909, making it the only Catholic Church between Astoria and the California border. The parish is the second oldest on the Oregon Coast.
Historical Timeline
1818 Oregon Territory occupied by Great Britain and United States 1836 First log cabin church built in Oregon at French Prairie 1838 First Catholic Priest arrived in Oregon – Fr. Blanchet 1839 First mass celebrated in Oregon at French Prairie 1846 Archdiocese of Oregon City established by Rome 1851 Coal Mines were opened in Southern Oregon 1853 First missionary priest visited Coos Bay region 1859 Oregon admitted as the 33rd State in the Union 1873 City of Bandon founded 1880 Archbishop blessed foundation of Church in Bandon 1881 First Catholic Church built in Coos County at Bandon 1883 Archbishop Seghers dedicated the church in Bandon, Mary, Refuge of Sinners 1909 Fr. Keveny changed the name to Holy Trinity 1911 Two-story rectory built 1936 Original church and rectory destroyed in fire; Blessed Sacrament removed by Mr. Parent 1937 Second church built on the same location; (68x30 building cost about $5,000) 1957 Fr. Vandehey built present rectory 1962 Added the “hall” and vestibule to the church 1964 Four sisters of St. Francis of Atonement from Graymoor arrived after the convent was built 1983 Celebrated “100 Years as a Parish” 1985 Added the dining room to the parish hall 1993 Built the classroom addition to the parish hall 2008 Celebrated “125 Years as Parish”