A private Christian middle and high school affiliated with the People of Praise, will take over the former Queen of Peace Catholic Church and school near the intersection of N. Lombard St. and N. Delaware Ave. in the Kenton neighborhood.
The church exterior features remarkable stone mosaic work with an abstract patterns of white, black, and grey stones including a modern depiction of the tree of life. The Portland Archdiocese opened the church and school in 1965, but closed it in the mid-1980s and began leasing the property to non-profits, including the Catholic Worker movement.
Photo by Mark Kirchmeier.
Trinity Academy, a private, classical Christian organization, led by the People of Praise, has purchased the property since it has outgrown its present school at 7424 N. Mississippi Ave. in the Piedmont neighborhood. The People of Praise is a conservative interdenominational organization based in South Bend, Indiana. The school welcomes students of all denominations and backgrounds.
The group had intended to use the church as an auditorium and the school for classrooms, but learned the structures are not earthquake-proof and will need to be demolished and rebuilt.
Thieves recently broke into the site and stole a church bell weighing more than 300 pounds. Trinity Academy members are asking for the community’s help in recovering the bell.