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Drink up and stay the night at the old Catholic school in Bend, Oregon

by Meg Massie (RSS feed) on Oct 10th 2008 at 12:30PM

There's something deliciously wrong about turning a Catholic schoolhouse into a pub and brewery, but in Bend, Oregon, the delicious far outweighs the wrong. When the St. Francis School relocated, Portland-based McMenamins bought up the original building, renovated it, and reopened the Old St. Francis School as a pub, theater, and hotel in 2004.

McMenamins brews are an Oregon staple, and the restaurant has some of the best pub fare there is. The School is also a great place to catch a show. This weekend, Old St. Francis is host to the BENDFilm Festival. Then there's Monday Night Football, more movies, and live music. Coming up in November is the pub's Fourth Anniversary Weekend Party, featuring performances from the Freak Mountain Ramblers.

The property has guest rooms starting at $114 per night and cottages that sleep up to ten people, starting at $185 per night. All reservations include free admission to the movie theater and use of the Turkish-style soaking pool on the property. You can also purchase special packages that include meals, drinks, shows, and activities in and around Bend.

Can there be a better place to party than an old Catholic school?

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Troy Oct 13th 2008 9:23AM

I think this is great! Our town has so many large empty building and new companies come in and build rather than buying and using pre-existing ones. This seems like a win win situation to me, less waste, better deal for new owner rather than building, money for previous owner, less to fill up our landfills. I highly support it! Cheers..... and Amen!

nancy Oct 13th 2008 1:02PM

Troy, you are so right. How wonderful that they left that beautiful building in tack.

panth753 Oct 13th 2008 10:11AM

God, I pray for good beer.

Angelia Oct 13th 2008 10:15AM

I agree with the first person who comment about the story i like to add the price is resonable to for ppl not by for one person or group of ten and look what u get with the price ? u got to say what a good deal? i would go there for vacation .
Calibear

Angiebaby Oct 13th 2008 10:15AM

I can't remember when I last read such a misleading headline. Otherwise, I love the idea. Instead of building a new building, take an old one which has character and turn it into a successful business. This is recycling at its best... through local re-vitalization.

Make Mine a Double Oct 13th 2008 10:16AM

Compared to what the priests were probably up to back when, I'd say this is a huge moral step forward.

WHO Oct 13th 2008 11:14AM

This is not really unusual, For years in the city of Denver we have a nightclub that use to be an old catholic church. Inside it has 3 dance floors, it use to have a sushi bar but i dont know if that is still there. And it use to have a cigar room.

The name of the place is "The Church" just to let you know

Peg Oct 13th 2008 12:48PM

What I want to know is -- do they have separate Girls and Boys entrances? With the word GIRLS or BOYS carved into the stone lintels overhead?

Jim Oct 13th 2008 11:39AM

Nothing really new. Back in the 70's they converted a church into a nightclub in Oklahoma City.... made it into a castle....

Oscar Oct 13th 2008 11:48AM

Been there. Great place. You can sit in a big recliner, have a drink or dinner or both and watch a movie. Or dance, catch a concert, karaoke, stay there (no driving!) all for a great price.
Tell them Oz sent ya.

Molon Labe Oct 13th 2008 11:53AM

I agree with Jim...neat, but nothing new. Check out the Church Works Brewery in Pittsburgh, for instance. Not to mention, secular monks have been brewing beer in their dominions for years as money makers to the laymen (and I'm sure a few for themselves, as well). But it is nice to see that tradition continuing through reuse instead of tear down and build again construction.

Summer Oct 13th 2008 12:36PM

yes yes amazing...i want to go now!

merritt Oct 13th 2008 12:23PM

hot damn there i am

BJ Oct 14th 2008 10:00PM

I agree that this is a good thing and more cities should use the old buildings. It may take a few dollars more to restore them, but they are certainly worth it. Old buildings have history and a comforting feeling like old houses do. Good for Bend, I am going to have to make a trip over the mountains and visit this Pub. Oregon beers are some of the best ever made. Bend is a wonderful place to visit and our Oregon vista is the most beautiful in the world, we have everything.

The headline is very misleading, but the news media of today is always misleading in their headlines and content of news. Our Country is in the mess we are in partly because of the news media and their reporting of half truths and sensationalism. The news media has helped put the fear into our Country that is so prevalent today. The old adage; "Only believe half of what you see and none of what you hear or read', is certainly correct for todays world and especially here in our good old USA. Long may our Flag wave and a great pat on the back to our military personnel, they are doing a great job of keeping our old "Stars and Stripes" flying over our free land. God Bless you all!

Erin Oct 13th 2008 1:28PM

There is actually another public school that was turned into a McMenamins in Portland, OR called the Kennedy School. It has several different rooms that serve as different bars and restaraunts. It is very reasonably priced, and just a good time for everyone! Cheers!

Nathan Oct 13th 2008 1:55PM

The biggest advantage to this renovation is that now the building is on the tax rolls and the owners are actually contributing to the community. May all the tax exempt entities landholdings be turned into pubs or roller rinks!

Ray Oct 13th 2008 1:58PM

These people have been doing this for many years. They have also tuened what used to be the Poor Farm run by the State in East Portland into one of their Brew Pubs. Many rooms for small Meeting and drinking areas. Hotal and small out buildings, even a little golf course and a theare.
And of course they Brew some of the best beer in the Northwest