A new era has begun for the congregation of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in downtown Seaside. The new $2.5 million church was completed this month and blessed by the Archbishop of Portland on July 10.

A procession with dozens of members of the Catholic Church, city dignitaries, and a Mariachi band strolled from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at 320 First Ave., to the new Catholic church at 120 Oceanway during the afternoon event.

As the procession arrived at courtyard of the new church, Chris Rose, chairman of the Pastoral Council, presented the Archbishop of Portland with a key to the church. Father Nicholas Nilema joined the archbishop and lead the procession into the building where ceremonies were held to bless the church.

“I am always very joyful when people take their faith seriously enough and they really want to make a statement on how important it is to them and that’s what this is all about,” said John Alazny, Archbishop of Portland. “They said they needed a bigger, better and more accessible church. They knew it would take time and sacrifices but they did it. That’s what makes me feel very delighted.”

The archbishop took time during a reception to give personal greetings to members of the congregation following the church blessing and mass.