St. Jacob of Alaska MissionAccessible

Bend, Oregon

St. Jacob of Alaska Mission

Founded 2009

Diocese: Diocese of the West

Deanery: Missionary District

Address

62855 Powell Butte Hwy
Bend, Oregon 97701

Website: orthodoxbend.org

Parish Contacts

Rector
Office: 541-241-8119

Lay Leadership

Mr. Isaac Ferguson
Parish Vice President

Schedule of Services

6:00 PM Vespers.
Saturday evening

8:30 AM Matins; 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday morning

6:00 PM Vespers.
Wednesday evening

Please visit the parish website for a schedule of services for weekday Feasts, Lenten services, Holy Week, etc., as well as for classes and activities.

Parish Background

Bend is an historic town, located on the Deschutes River, important for its ranching to the east and forestry in the mountains to the west. In the last twenty years especially, Bend’s all-season access to outdoor sports like skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, and rafting, has turned it into one of the most desirable places to live on the West Coast.

Along with this growth in Bend, Orthodox Christians also desired to have a parish in Central Oregon, and worked with Father Stephen Soot, from his parish in Corvallis, to start a mission here in Bend. The mission was officially established in the summer of 2003 and was given Saint Jacob of Alaska as a patron in 2009.

Through the efforts of assigned priests like Fr. James McKee and his wife Kathy, and in other times, supply priests like Fr. Athanasius (of blessed memory) and his wife Molly, along with the untiring support of Fr. Stephen Soot throughout all the years, the hope of a permanent church in Central Oregon was kept alive. In September 2016, Fr. Damian Kuolt and his wife Joanna moved to Bend to serve St. Jacob’s parish.

Fr. Damian’s presence made it possible to develop weekly divine services, catechesis, inquirer classes, Bible study, and outreach to those who are seeking the Truth. Fr. Damian also prepared the purchase of a new building for the parish. Then, in the summer of 2022, when St. Jacob welcomed a new rector, Priest Ignatius Strange, who moved here with his wife and children, the parish bought and moved into their own building.

Fr. Ignatius and the people of St. Jacob’s parish warmly welcome you to join us. Whether visiting to enjoy the high desert and mountains for a short stay or contemplating a move to Central Oregon, we would love to have you come and join us!