One of the things that gave Grimm its distinct atmosphere was how it used real locations across Portland. While many scenes took place on residential streets and in industrial areas, a number of episodes also made use of churches and other houses of worship.
These locations added depth to the storytelling and further reflected the variety of architecture found throughout Portland.
Churches and Religious Settings in Grimm
Throughout the series, churches were used in a range of ways, as sites of confrontation or revelation, backdrops for key character moments or atmospheric exterior shots.
In many cases, the buildings themselves were not identified on screen, but their architectural details, such as stone exteriors, stained glass, older wood interiors, helped set the tone. Several recognizable churches and historic religious buildings around Portland have been associated with filming for Grimm.
Here are my Top 5 Portland Churches and Synagogues in Grimm:
1. First Presbyterian Church (Downtown Portland)
This distinctive Gothic Revival style church site in the downtown core and is well-known for its detailed stonework and tall spire. Its scale and architecture align closely with locations used for formal or dramatic scenes.
First Presbyterian is seen in Episode 11. The gorgeous interior includes stained glass, dark wood, and carved banisters.
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| First Presbyterian interior on nbc.com/grimm |
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| First Presbyterian Church, 12th & Alder |
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| photo courtesy S. Filler |
A historic downtown church with a distinctive Gothic exterior, its architecture fits the darker, atmospheric tone used in the series.
St. James is seen in Episode 306, and is on the list of National Register of Historical Places.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James_Lutheran_Church_(Portland,_Oregon) |
3. Congregation Beth Israel (NW Flanders St)
One of the oldest Jewish congregations in the region, Congregation Beth Israel is located in Northwest Portland and has a very recognizable exterior.
This unique building was a standout, playing a starring role in Episode 404.
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| mysouthwaterfront (c) 2026 |
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| Congregation Beth Israel on wikipedia.org |
4. Atkinson Memorial Church, Oregon City
Seen in Episode 215, Atkinson Memorial AKA First Congregational Church of Oregon City has a distinctive design and pink exterior. It is now the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Willamette Falls.
A bystander grabbed this shot during filming in 2012:
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| Photo courtesy instagram.com/kariden/ |
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| Atkinson Memorial Church on wikipedia.org |
The building is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Portland Bahai Center
In the filming of Grimm, the Bahai Center did not play a spiritual or religious role but a legal one. It supported the storyline as the interior law offices in Episode 8 "Game Ogre".
Cameos:
We get a brief cameo of St. Andrew Catholic Church at NE 8th Ave in Episode 221 .
Visiting Today
If you are visiting a religious filming location used in Grimm, it’s worth remembering that these are active places of worship. Be respectful of the space, avoid interrupting services or private events, and view from public areas unless permission is given.
Part of the Broader Portland Landscape
While churches and houses of worship may not be the most widely discussed Grimm filming locations, they provide thoughtful backdrop to the story line and are part of the broader mix of settings that gave the show its grounded, real-world feel.
Combined with residential streets, parks, and commercial areas, these religious locations helped create the layered version of Portland seen throughout the series.
Related Grimm Locations:
Grimm filming locations by episode
National Register of Historic Places used as Grimm filming locations
