Peace Park is located in the South Park Blocks of Portland, between SW Jefferson and SW Columbia streets. The park is flanked by churches, the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society and Portland State University. It was established in 1985 and dedicated by then-Portland mayor Bud Clark and Rev. Joe E. Smith of St. James Lutheran Church as a gathering place for all generations in the pursuit of peace. Two sculptures were installed to commemorate the occasion.

One sculpture, “Peace Chant” marks the spot. Consisting of three large granite blocks it is set amongst the trees in the park. A second sculpture, “From Within Shalom” was created by Steve Gilman and belongs to St. James Lutheran Church. It is set in front of the church and faces Peace Park “From Within Shalom was dedicated by Rabbi Joshua Stampher of Congregation Neva Shalom in memory of Cora Lee Beard, John Whiteneck’s mother.

During the day children from the nearby daycare centers scramble over the granite sculpture “Peace Chant.” Students, downtown workers and visitors all stroll through the park under the elm trees. Peace rallies gather people to the stones for prayer and reflection. For two decades Peace Park has quietly carried out its purpose to call all people together in the pursuit of peace. Peace park was rededicated in January 2003 in protest to the Iraq War.

HARMONY AND PEACE (from the dedication of “From Within Shalom” and Peace Park) by John Whiteneck

Cry out you stones, cry out!
Let the whole world hear your message,
Stately trees broadcast the ominous warning,
The sickness of war threatens to be terminal.
Little children suffer nightmare dreams,
Cut off from hope of a future.
Dewdrop, rain and tears of praying mothers,
Wash away the stain of hate, violence, greed.

Gentle breezes whisper to the grass and flowers,
Flowing rivers take up the future song,
Reverberating thunder in the mountains declare it,
Stab us awake making the chant a reality,
Harmonizing the human spirit with the Divine;
Love for all the family of earth

Photo credit: Joel Davis

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