Mission Theater History & Art Tour

The Mission Theater is opening its doors for a guided tour of its history and art on Thursday, November 5, at 1 PM. If you've spent any time in the West End Entertainment District, you know the place as one of Oregon's original theater pubs—most people just call it "the Mission"—but the building has lived a few different lives before it ever became a spot for drinks and live music.

The tour walks through those layers. In the early 20th century, it was home to the Swedish Mission Covenant congregation, which had been a center of spiritual zeal since the Swedish Evangelical Mission established its church there in the 1890s. Later, it served as the headquarters for Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers' strikes in the country. It even had a stint as a playhouse, though that residency was short-lived—and the tour hints that it may or may not have had something to do with The Scottish Play.

These days, the venue hosts live music, video dance nights, and special events on select nights each month, with room for about 300 standing and 200 seated. The walk itself takes around 60 to 75 minutes and may include stairs and extended standing, so keep that in mind if you're planning your afternoon. Tickets are $20, and all ages are welcome, with tickets required for kids ages 3 and up. Doors open about 15 minutes before the 1 PM start, and you'll find the theater at 1624 NW Glisan St in Portland's West End.