In 1909 the chapel car, St. Anthony, sponsored by the Catholic Extension Society of America, came to Oregon. After traveling to Ranier and Newberg, it stopped in Sheridan and then came to Dallas. Rev. Hugh McDevitt was the chaplain on board. He gave a mission in Dallas, Falls City and Independence. In the next year, churches were built with the help of the Extension Society in Sheridan, Dallas and Independence. St. Philip was built during the spring of 1910 and dedicated on July 3, 1910.
In 1920, Archbishop Christie appointed Francis Leipzig, a newly ordained priest, as the pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Sheridan with Dallas, Falls City and Independence as missions.
In 1955, Rev. Albert Rodakowski was appointed the first pastor and St. Philip became a parish. Later in 1958, during Father Rodakowski’s tenure, a mission was established in Valsetz called Our Lady of the Woods. Also during his tenure, he purchased 31 acres in the City of Dallas for $23,000.
In the 1980’s, discussion began about building a new church as the parish was growing and the old church on Washington street could not keep up. Father Steve Stobie, a former contractor, was heavily involved in the construction process along with many parishioners. In 1987, the new building on Mill Street was mostly finished but not formerly dedicated until later.
In 1990, Father Jerry Quintal was assigned the parish and oversaw the formal consecration of the new building by Aux. Bishop Kenneth Steiner in 1991. The Spiritual Life Center was added in 2005. Numerous other projects were also completed during his almost 20 year tenure. Fr Jerry passed away at his home in Otis OR, in October 2020.
Father Michael P. Johnston was assigned to St. Philip on July 1, 2009 and continues to serve as the energetic, Duck loving, pastor of St. Philip at this time.
By Mark Bliven, Parish Historian