Praying for Portland Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland

 

Peacock Lane, Portland, OR

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. Luke 2:14

This is written just a few days before Christmas, and we wish everyone a happy holiday.

We planned to take a quick look at Southeast Portland. This is fitting as Peacock Lane is in Southeast Portland, known for its amazing displays at Christmas that are more than just lights, but can be elaborate productions. This street between SE Stark and SE Belmont, is lined with mostly Tudor-style homes and has been having a non-commercial, voluntary Christmas display since 1932. The street can be driven through, although there is usually a queue at the beginning, and several nights are reserved for pedestrians only. A free cocoa booth is on-site, and no soliciting, selling, or flyer hand-outs are permitted.

Southeast Portland, OR

Around the same time Peacock Lane started their display, another part of Southeast Portland in the area near Reed College, was being introduced to Lambert Gardens, a botanical garden of 30 acres built in 1930. These elaborately landscaped grounds were home to peacocks, cranes, and flamingoes. The gardens were very popular, not only as a local venue for weddings and other events but were toured by about two million visitors during the years it was open, 1930-1968. Most of those visitors were from outside Portland. During Christmas, the slow season, the gardens displayed one of the largest Christmas light displays in the city.

Southeast Portland extends from the warehouse district along the east side of the Willamette River, through historic Ladd Addition, Hawthorne, and Belmont neighborhoods out to Gresham. Included in its borders are Mt. Tabor, a volcanic cinder cone and one of Portland’s more popular parks, and Powell Butte Nature Park.

Historically, Southeast Portland has blue collar roots. From a review of crime statistics and “worst neighborhood reports,” as well as news stories, it appears Southeast Portland has problems with crime, both personal (assault, murder) and property. Troubled by theft, drug use and violence, a block of neighborhoods including Powelhurst-Gilbert, Centennial, Mill Park and Hazelwood, is considered a “not safe” part of town.

View from Mt. Tabor of Portland, OR

Mt Tabor, in Southeast Portland, was named after the Mt. Tabor in Israel just a few miles north of Nazareth. John G. Lake, a Pentecostal minister and faith healer of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spent a few years in his later life in Portland during the early 1920’s, and often took walks in the park. He is reported to have had a vision and prophesied over Portland while on Mt. Tabor.

How do we pray for Southeast Portland?

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in. Psalm 24:7

Pray the displays of lights and other reminders of Christmas that this section of Portland has done so well will turn hearts to the true meaning of Christmas.

Pray for the police and first responders. There is much for them to deal with. Pray for discernment and wisdom, especially in the dangerous parts of Southeast Portland.

Pray the Lord will remember the prayers of Christians of earlier times over this section of Portland.