Campaign launched for the Fr. Jim Morrison Memorial Narthex at St. Gregory the Great 

The Parish of the Holy Eucharist has announced the formal launch of the $400,000 “Fulfillment of a Dream” campaign to fund the construction of a narthex at St. Gregory the Great Church in Gray. The project will be named in honor of Father Jim Morrison, who served as pastor in the mid-1980s and had a significant impact on the parish and beyond.

Through the generosity of some Parish of the Holy Eucharist parishioners participating in the silent phase of the campaign, $200,000 has already been raised in support. There are plans to break ground on the 788 square foot addition to the front of the church in the spring of 2025. The Fr. Jim Morrison Memorial Narthex will include a gathering area, two ADA compliant private bathrooms, an expanded sacristy, a soundproof confessional, a bell tower visible from the main road, and more.

“I am grateful for those who have given so generously thus far to this project to create a space that will help our parish families, support our continued growth as a parish, and reflect our values of accessibility for everyone,” said Father Steven Cartwright, pastor of Parish of the Holy Eucharist. “Fr. Jim left a tremendous legacy, and it is fitting that we will name this narthex in his honor.”

Those interested in learning more are invited to join Father Cartwright, along with the Most Reverend James Ruggieri, bishop of Portland, on December 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Saint Gregory the Great parish hall (24 North Raymond Road, Gray) to view plans and hear more about the project.

“As I have traveled to many of the parishes of our diocese during my first months as bishop, I have experienced the uniqueness of each of our churches and their locations,” said Bishop Ruggieri. “St. Gregory the Great Church sits on a beautiful property that has seen many uses, and this project will significantly enhance the life of the parish as it continues to grow. I appreciate Fr. Cartwright’s leadership in moving this important initiative forward.”

The history of the site dates back nearly 100 years when St. Gregory, a Catholic camp for boys, was founded in 1925 and Mass was offered in the recreation hall in the summers. Over time, the site evolved with a chapel built in the 1959 (winterized in 1964), and St. Gregory the Great established as a parish in 1967. Renovations over the years have included a rectory in 1968 and a parish hall in 1970. By 1977, the parish purchased the entire campground following the camp operations closing in 1973. Today, St. Gregory the Great remains an active church and vibrant worship community within the Parish of the Holy Eucharist, which also includes Holy Martyrs in Falmouth, Sacred Heart in Yarmouth, and St. Jude in Freeport.

A native of Portland, Fr. Morrison attended Cheverus High and went on to complete studies in philosophy and theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Canada. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Portland on May 11, 1974, at St. Joseph's Church in Portland and then earned a Master of Church Administration from the School of Canon Law of The Catholic University of America in 1979. During his years of full-time ministry in Maine, Father Jim served in many assignments in addition to his role as pastor at St. Gregory the Great, including in Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, York, Scarborough, Norway and more. He also held administrative roles in the diocese.

On the occasion of Fr. Jim’s retirement in 2008 from full-time active ministry, the Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, the 11th bishop of Portland, wrote the following in a letter:

“When you were named pastor of St. Gregory in Gray, it was the fulfillment of a dream since you had spent many summers as a camper at St. Gregory’s during your youth and as a camp counselor the summers of seminary formation.” 

Despite declining health, Fr. Morrison continued his pastoral and sacramental ministry at St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Residence in Portland where he lived in retirement. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 67 at Mercy Hospital and is buried at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

To learn more about the project, view naming opportunities and to give to the campaign, visit www.pothe.org/narthex.