Bishop's House (Portland, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bishop's House
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Bishop's House in 2018
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | 219–223 SW Stark Street Portland, Oregon |
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| Built | 1879 |
| Architect | Prosper Heurn |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001706 |
| Added to NRHP | October 18, 1974 |
Bishop's House is a historic building located in downtown Portland, Oregon. It stands within the city's special Yamhill Historic District. This building has a fascinating past, especially because it was once the home of an important leader of the Catholic Church in Portland.
What is Bishop's House?
The Bishop's House was built a long time ago, in 1879. It was designed to be the official home for the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church. An Archbishop is a very important leader in the church, overseeing many churches in a large area. The first Archbishop to live here was William Hickley Gross.
Building a New Home
The main office for the Catholic Church in Oregon moved to Portland from Oregon City. After this move, there was a need for a new official home for the Archbishop. Part of the land for the church and the Bishop's House was given by a person named Benjamin Stark.
The Bishop's House was built right next to the main church at the time. Both buildings were designed in a style called "neo-Gothic." This style looks a bit like old castles or cathedrals. The strong granite foundation of Bishop's House came all the way from Northern Montana. It was transported down the Columbia River to Portland.
Changes Over Time
By 1878, the church leaders realized the existing church was too small for the growing number of people. So, they decided to build a new, bigger church. Even though plans for a new church were underway, the Bishop's House was finished in 1879.
However, the Archbishop didn't move into Bishop's House right away. It became the official residence in 1893, but only for two years. In 1895, the new, larger church was completed. The old church next to Bishop's House was then taken down. The Archbishop's official home also moved to be closer to the new, bigger church.
Modern Day Use
In 1965, Bishop's House had a big makeover to update it. Because of its important history and unique design, Bishop's House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's recognized as a special building worth protecting.
As of 2001, the building was no longer a home for the Archbishop. Instead, it was used for offices. It even housed a Lebanese restaurant and a new company named "Bishop House, LLC."
