The Saint Augustine Chorale

Descending directly from the original 1867 choir at Blessed Martin de Porres' Chapel, the Saint Augustine Chorale's focus is primarily classical Catholic sacred music and hymns.

The initial development of a choir as well as the construction of the large new church occurred during the ministry of Father Felix Barotti (1867-1881). Prior to Father Barotti's ministry, the entire congregation of Blessed Martin's Chapel rendered the choral part of the services. Appointed in 1866, Father Barotti arrived in the parish in 1867. At that time he launched a building program and organized the first Sanctuary Choir. Father Barotti viewed the choir as an essential part of a "great spiritual edifice," so that "a beauty will be found to permeate the music of the Mass."

In 1873, a thirty-five voice chorale was formed under the musical leadership of Professor John Seputa, director of the US Marine Corps Band. The Chorale added to the beauty and dignity of the service and made a major contribution to fundraising efforts. Concerts and operatic performances raised an estimated $75,000 to complete the construction of a magnificent new church, which would be named after the North African Saint Augustine.

By 1876, the Chorale had grown to sixty professionally trained voices. Subsequent Music Directors, through 1908, included Professor Tregina of the US Marine Band, Anton Gloetzner and Anton Kasper. The ministry continued to be one of the major accomplishments of the church, singing the works of the world's most celebrated composers of sacred music with polished eloquence and earning the church an enviable reputation in the community.

10:00 AM Sunday Mass: Classical, traditional Catholic sacred music and hymns

Mass of Saint Martin De Porres  Choral Song Book  
published by Oregon Catholic Press

The Mass of Saint Martin De Porres  is included in its entirety on the CD  I Call Upon You God!   available from Oregon Catholic Press

The Mass of Saint Martin De Porres was composed by Saint Augustine Music Director Leon Roberts in honor of the Peruvian saint who was the original patron of  Saint Augustine Parish and the namesake of its first place of worship, the 1857 Chapel of Blessed Martin De Porres.

On May 24, 1905, the Washington Post described Saint Augustine Parish as the "largest colored Catholic Church in the United States...A MECCA FOR LOVERS OF SACRED MUSIC, where white people as well as Black throng the beautiful edifice on Sundays and feast days to listen to the superb renditions of masterpieces of the great composers."

George Dines, Music Director from 1961-1979, worked with several organists, including Nancy Dines (Mr. Dines' mother), Leroy Merring, Ray Brubacher, Richard Metcalfe, Cathy Bounds and Joyce White. Since retiring, Mr. Dines has remained active in the music ministry, serving as Cantor at the 8:00 am Sunday Mass.

The transition from Latin to English, as recommended by the Second Vatican Council, took place near the beginning of Mr. Dines' tenure. He felt that the wealth of musical literature in Latin should remain in the choir's repertoire. The choir continued to sing Latin motets occasionally, and once a year, an entire Latin Mass. Today, the Chorale sings such classics as Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, the Requiem by Faure, The Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore DuBois, Stabat Mater by Pergolesi, Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus and Handel's Messiah.