Welcome to the page celebrating the 45th Anniversary of MCC Portland. Founded in 1976 MCC Portland has been through many different chapters and has touched countless lives over the past decades — as we aim to do well into the future. Check here again for more memories, videos, and information added to celebrate our anniversary. Scroll down the page to add your memories and blessings.
45 Years of History – A Special Video Presentation
45th Anniversary Full Worship Service
The History of MCC
Watch our History Video at the top of the page to learn about the stories behind the photos.
Messages from our Elders
Let us know how MCC Portland has made — or is making a difference now — in YOUR life! Help us celebrate by adding to our Anniversary Blessings and Memories: Share your favorite memory or your good wishes by pressing the “write a new entry” box below. You can also share a brief video (mp4 or mob format; 2 mins max), a favorite picture (jpg or png), or a letter (PDF) as an email attachment to digital@mccportland.com.
NOTE: Your entry will not be immediately visible but will upload in a timely fashion. Posts are available for public view and may be edited for length or content.
15 entries.
Mazel tov, MCC Portland on 45 years of service to Oregon's community! May you continue to be a blessing to all.
Mazel tov, MCC Portland on 45 years of service to Oregon's community! May you continue to be a blessing to all.
Those who have shaped the landscape of my faith journey by example, I owe these a huge debt of gratitude: Mike Smith, Jane S., Andrew D., Betty N., Dave D., David B., Pat S., Rich K., Jimmy B., Revs. Austin, Gary and Ken, People's\Martha's Pantry, Jeff & Rob, Charles & Steve, Patty & Lynn, Teresa & Stephanie, "I'll Follow Him," Gail B., Joy S., Mark K., Paul B., EXCEL in the Spirit Team, Ann, Bill, Susie S., Married Gay Men's Group, Harvest Dinners, Vicki & Kim, P.J. & Marvin. But mainly to Jim Stewart who 1] convinced me to come out & 2] invited us to our first MCC service. And to my former wife, Deanie, who's enthusiasm for the church nurtured my commitment to MCC Portland.
Those who have shaped the landscape of my faith journey by example, I owe these a huge debt of gratitude: Mike Smith, Jane S., Andrew D., Betty N., Dave D., David B., Pat S., Rich K., Jimmy B., Revs. Austin, Gary and Ken, People's\Martha's Pantry, Jeff & Rob, Charles & Steve, Patty & Lynn, Teresa & Stephanie, "I'll Follow Him," Gail B., Joy S., Mark K., Paul B., EXCEL in the Spirit Team, Ann, Bill, Susie S., Married Gay Men's Group, Harvest Dinners, Vicki & Kim, P.J. & Marvin. But mainly to Jim Stewart who 1] convinced me to come out & 2] invited us to our first MCC service. And to my former wife, Deanie, who's enthusiasm for the church nurtured my commitment to MCC Portland.
Back around 1977 I got together with a fella named Steve Jordan. Turns out his significant other before me was Troy Perry. So Steve introduced me to MCC Portland, and then to Troy. I was baptized at MCC Portland by Austin Amerine. Steve & I had a townhouse in Cedar Mill, and Troy would sometimes stay with us when in town. Likewise, when we were in Los Angeles for the MCC conference in the late ‘70’s, we stayed at Troy’s mother’s place in Silver Lake...Good memories.
Back around 1977 I got together with a fella named Steve Jordan. Turns out his significant other before me was Troy Perry. So Steve introduced me to MCC Portland, and then to Troy. I was baptized at MCC Portland by Austin Amerine.
Steve & I had a townhouse in Cedar Mill, and Troy would sometimes stay with us when in town. Likewise, when we were in Los Angeles for the MCC conference in the late ‘70’s, we stayed at Troy’s mother’s place in Silver Lake...Good memories.
As a former member of MCC PORTLAND and as its founding Pastor's roommate and District Chauffeur, I would like to offer the following amendment to my previous Guestbook entry. I hope it brings a smile to your faces and a laugh in your hearts: TEN OF MY FAVORITE "AUSTINisms" (by Rev. A. Austin Amerine): 1. "Precious Power of Love Divine!" 2. "If I'da known I was gonna live this long, I'da taken better care of myself." 3. "Mercy, Jesus" ...and... "Lord, Have Mercy!" 4. "The Saints Preserve Us!" 5. "Ohhh, My Gay Nerves!" 6. (his overweight) "300 and plenty." 7. (lasagna) "It's as rich as I'd like to be...I'll just cast the calories out of it." 8. (making a phone call) "Are you in the middle of a man?" 9. "When I wear my alb (white preaching robe), I look like the Matterhorn moving down the aisle!!!" 10. the seven... Read more
As a former member of MCC PORTLAND and as its founding Pastor's roommate and District Chauffeur, I would like to offer the following amendment to my previous Guestbook entry. I hope it brings a smile to your faces and a laugh in your hearts:
TEN OF MY FAVORITE "AUSTINisms" (by Rev. A. Austin Amerine):
1. "Precious Power of Love Divine!"
2. "If I'da known I was gonna live this long, I'da taken better care of myself."
3. "Mercy, Jesus" ...and... "Lord, Have Mercy!"
4. "The Saints Preserve Us!"
5. "Ohhh, My Gay Nerves!"
6. (his overweight) "300 and plenty."
7. (lasagna) "It's as rich as I'd like to be...I'll just cast the calories out of it."
8. (making a phone call) "Are you in the middle of a man?"
9. "When I wear my alb (white preaching robe), I look like the Matterhorn moving down the aisle!!!"
10. the seven words you can never say on TV . . . . . . .
It is impossible to pick just one favorite memory from MCC Portland! Our polyfidelitous family always being fully welcomed as our authentic selves. Our son helping me at the sound board. Our daughter acting in one year's Christmas Play. My mother always remarking on the warmth of our congregation when she visited. The comforting, inspiring and always immersive music from the Elevation Band, long-time music director Kristin Gordon George, and countless choir members and musicians. The range of our pastor, Nathan Meckley, who could move seamlessly from a scholarly and insightful sermon to a tour-de-force performance of "Eye of the Klingon" (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=792482357544272) at one of our Harvest Dinners. And of course, all of the kind, committed, generous, talented people sharing this church journey with me. I know the future of MCC Portland is bright. If I did have to pick one memory though...the story I share most often with folks... Read more
It is impossible to pick just one favorite memory from MCC Portland!
Our polyfidelitous family always being fully welcomed as our authentic selves. Our son helping me at the sound board. Our daughter acting in one year's Christmas Play. My mother always remarking on the warmth of our congregation when she visited.
The comforting, inspiring and always immersive music from the Elevation Band, long-time music director Kristin Gordon George, and countless choir members and musicians. The range of our pastor, Nathan Meckley, who could move seamlessly from a scholarly and insightful sermon to a tour-de-force performance of "Eye of the Klingon" (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=792482357544272) at one of our Harvest Dinners.
And of course, all of the kind, committed, generous, talented people sharing this church journey with me. I know the future of MCC Portland is bright.
If I did have to pick one memory though...the story I share most often with folks outside of MCC Portland was when I sang Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" as part of Last Call Karaoke. I always think of MCC Portland as the place that gave me the kind of confidence to go full '80s fierce in public. I have certainly put that confidence to use in service of much more important things--but that is a memory I return to, when I am feeling uncertain. That's a person who can speak up and try to help make wrong things right.
And for that, I will always be grateful to MCC Portland.
MCC PORTLAND will always be MY church. It's an answer to a prayer I prayed in the mid-70s that I might be led to a church full of like-minded believers. I couldn't have asked for a better answer to prayer. I always knew MCC PORTLAND was home and that that was where I belonged. The lifelong friends and memories I made will carry with me as long as I live. MCC PORTLAND was instrumental in saving my life, molding my life, and blessing my life more than abundantly. I know in my heart it's commissioned by my Creator for a task greater than we only now see as though in a mirror darkly. God love us all!
MCC PORTLAND will always be MY church. It's an answer to a prayer I prayed in the mid-70s that I might be led to a church full of like-minded believers. I couldn't have asked for a better answer to prayer. I always knew MCC PORTLAND was home and that that was where I belonged. The lifelong friends and memories I made will carry with me as long as I live. MCC PORTLAND was instrumental in saving my life, molding my life, and blessing my life more than abundantly. I know in my heart it's commissioned by my Creator for a task greater than we only now see as though in a mirror darkly. God love us all!
Being able to serve communion to my Step-mother Eileen and to my mother Teresa have strengthened my belief that there is a loving God, and I thank MCCP for making that space happen for me. Many blessings and holy years to come.
Being able to serve communion to my Step-mother Eileen and to my mother Teresa have strengthened my belief that there is a loving God, and I thank MCCP for making that space happen for me. Many blessings and holy years to come.
I started coming to MCC Portland in December 2005, right after I came out. I knew that I was gay and that I was a Christian, and MCC helped me reconcile the two. I met my husband there about 9 months later - our 2nd date was the Rev. Glenna Shepherd's farewell celebration at the Peace House (and we're still going strong 14-1/2 years later). We were married in the beautiful sanctuary at 24th & Broadway in August 2015. In my 15 years at MCC Portland, I have seen many changes but through it all the love of the people remains strong. We are now in our shared building in SE Portland and I see a bright future ahead of us. The connection we have with our community partners at Common Ground Presbyterian gives me hope for our future. As we celebrate the past 45 years, we also look forward... Read more
I started coming to MCC Portland in December 2005, right after I came out. I knew that I was gay and that I was a Christian, and MCC helped me reconcile the two. I met my husband there about 9 months later - our 2nd date was the Rev. Glenna Shepherd's farewell celebration at the Peace House (and we're still going strong 14-1/2 years later). We were married in the beautiful sanctuary at 24th & Broadway in August 2015.
In my 15 years at MCC Portland, I have seen many changes but through it all the love of the people remains strong. We are now in our shared building in SE Portland and I see a bright future ahead of us. The connection we have with our community partners at Common Ground Presbyterian gives me hope for our future. As we celebrate the past 45 years, we also look forward to the next part of our journey as we continue our mission to spread the good news of Jesus: that God loves you just as you are.
Holy cow! 45 years! So many memories--Those first AIDS memorial services--Thank God we didn't know how many of our Fellowship, of our community, we were going to have to bid farewell to back in those early days. The Holy Unions, joyous occasions long before we dared dream that we would see marriage equality--knowing that the Blessing of God on our unions was more important than any the State could give! Oh, Robin--yes, the Sing-Spirations! Those were a blast! MCCP provided safe haven for the first recovery groups in Portland that were all-gay (we were all "gay" then--alphabet soup hadn't been invented yet!) The SRO community meetings when the Oregon Citizens Alliance threatened the very existence of our community with their extremely phobic ballot measures--and the grim determination of our people, fortressed by God's love--to battle them to defeat. Most of the time. And the community we had to to support... Read more
Holy cow! 45 years! So many memories--Those first AIDS memorial services--Thank God we didn't know how many of our Fellowship, of our community, we were going to have to bid farewell to back in those early days. The Holy Unions, joyous occasions long before we dared dream that we would see marriage equality--knowing that the Blessing of God on our unions was more important than any the State could give! Oh, Robin--yes, the Sing-Spirations! Those were a blast! MCCP provided safe haven for the first recovery groups in Portland that were all-gay (we were all "gay" then--alphabet soup hadn't been invented yet!) The SRO community meetings when the Oregon Citizens Alliance threatened the very existence of our community with their extremely phobic ballot measures--and the grim determination of our people, fortressed by God's love--to battle them to defeat. Most of the time. And the community we had to to support us when they prevailed. And how excited we would be when The Rev. Troy Perry, founder of all MCC 's, would fly up to Portland from L.A. to preach! Man, could he preach! We were blessed beyond words to have MCCP when we did--that corner of NE 24th & Broadway is truly hallowed ground.
In 2010, after a long distant dating with Royce, I planned my first trip to Oregon to finally meet him in person in March. I was so touched that he told me to be sure and bring a nice shirt, pants, and tie because I would be attending Church with him at MCC. That was the first time to hear Pastor Nathan preach, and I was impressed with his message.
In 2010, after a long distant dating with Royce, I planned my first trip to Oregon to finally meet him in person in March. I was so touched that he told me to be sure and bring a nice shirt, pants, and tie because I would be attending Church with him at MCC. That was the first time to hear Pastor Nathan preach, and I was impressed with his message.
I started attending MCCP in September of 1975 before it became a Charter at Centenary Wilbur at 215 SE 9th near where Sandy Blvd and Burnside connect. My invitation to attend was from Jim Archer who I met at GMT, (Gay Men Together) which was a group that met on Wednesdays at PSU. Those days were exciting at that time. A. Austin Amerine came to Portland to be Senior Pastor and was the basis of it sustaining growth from that period on. Fantastic sing-a-longs after service with Denis Moore on the Organ or Piano. None of us wanted to leave. I guess I'm considered the "Old Timer" now as I began attending when I was 21 years of age and I'm now 66+ and supposedly retired. I'm still quite active as I underwrite 2 MCC missions in Cuba and 1 in Puebla, Mexico where I reside in the winter months.
I started attending MCCP in September of 1975 before it became a Charter at Centenary Wilbur at 215 SE 9th near where Sandy Blvd and Burnside connect. My invitation to attend was from Jim Archer who I met at GMT, (Gay Men Together) which was a group that met on Wednesdays at PSU. Those days were exciting at that time. A. Austin Amerine came to Portland to be Senior Pastor and was the basis of it sustaining growth from that period on. Fantastic sing-a-longs after service with Denis Moore on the Organ or Piano. None of us wanted to leave.
I guess I'm considered the "Old Timer" now as I began attending when I was 21 years of age and I'm now 66+ and supposedly retired. I'm still quite active as I underwrite 2 MCC missions in Cuba and 1 in Puebla, Mexico where I reside in the winter months.
I had the pleasure of having MCCP as my church home from 1996 to 2017. During that time. My church family welcomed my gospel trio We3 for concerts. MCCP also hosted my Christmas musicals written by myself and Mark C. Brown which became a Christmas tradition for my last 5 years there in Portland. I have fond memories and made many friends at MCCP.
I had the pleasure of having MCCP as my church home from 1996 to 2017. During that time. My church family welcomed my gospel trio We3 for concerts. MCCP also hosted my Christmas musicals written by myself and Mark C. Brown which became a Christmas tradition for my last 5 years there in Portland. I have fond memories and made many friends at MCCP.
When I came to MC portland in 2006 I was glad to see many people who shared my Christian beliefs, admittedly I wasn't sure what I would see. I found others who had been pushed out of main stream churches because they were treated as less than, like a gay person couldn't be saved. Within a year i started dating the most perfect man for me. Instead of spending the rest of my life alone, we got married there, 5 years ago. MCC Portland is our home and our chosen family. The church has had some struggles but I have seen God continue to work there. Lives are changed when they find love and acceptance where there used to be rejection.
When I came to MC portland in 2006 I was glad to see many people who shared my Christian beliefs, admittedly I wasn't sure what I would see. I found others who had been pushed out of main stream churches because they were treated as less than, like a gay person couldn't be saved. Within a year i started dating the most perfect man for me. Instead of spending the rest of my life alone, we got married there, 5 years ago.
MCC Portland is our home and our chosen family. The church has had some struggles but I have seen God continue to work there. Lives are changed when they find love and acceptance where there used to be rejection.
In our history of living in the previous building at 2400 NE Broadway, we paid the mortgage off twice. First time about 1993, second time about 2003/4 . The first time that happened we made a copy of the note and burned it on the alter. It was quite an event. The congregation gave a standing ovation. The second time was completed with a fundraiser, and we had a good slogan - "debt free in '03".
In our history of living in the previous building at 2400 NE Broadway, we paid the mortgage off twice. First time about 1993, second time about 2003/4 . The first time that happened we made a copy of the note and burned it on the alter. It was quite an event. The congregation gave a standing ovation. The second time was completed with a fundraiser, and we had a good slogan - "debt free in '03".
Congratulations to MCC Portland for reaching 45 years! Thank you for all you have done for the church, local community, and even global outreach. I wish you many future blessings and for another 45 years... and beyond!
Congratulations to MCC Portland for reaching 45 years! Thank you for all you have done for the church, local community, and even global outreach. I wish you many future blessings and for another 45 years... and beyond!