History
The History of Columbia Memorial Hospital
A Lutheran-affiliated acute care facility
Columbia Memorial Hospital is committed to providing compassionate health care in a healing environment, and to providing leadership to improve the health of the community we serve. We are a full service, 25-bed, Critical Access, not-for-profit, Level III Trauma Center, Planetree affiliate, hospital located in Northwest Oregon where the Columbia river meets the Pacific Ocean.
Health care in Astoria, Oregon has grown substantially since the region’s first hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, opened in 1880. St. Mary’s Hospital served as the region’s only hospital until the early 1900’s.
In 1919, the Astoria Finnish community began a second facility, Columbia Hospital. The Augustana synod of the Lutheran Church took over the project and solicited funds from congregations in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Columbia Hospital opened to assist its first patients in 1927.
In 1971, the St. Mary’s Hospital facility was purchased by Columbia Hospital. In the mid-70’s, the Hospital Trustees approved a new site and plan, and Columbia Memorial Hospital, now located at 2111 Exchange Street, opened in 1977.
Columbia Memorial Hospital is currently a JCAHO accredited hospital, which serves all of Clatsop County, Oregon and the lower Columbia River region of western Washington. Columbia Memorial Hospital is led by a 14-member Board of Trustees. They volunteer their time and expertise to improving our community hospital. The CMH Board of Trustees meets once a month.
Due to the expanding population and need for more health care services, the Board of Trustees has announced its intention to expand Columbia Memorial into a regional medical center.
CMH continues to be a not-for-profit hospital that serves the health care needs of the community. CMH receives no tax support from the city of Astoria or Clatsop County. Dedicated to improving the health of the community, CMH invests all excess revenues in services, equipment and facilities which further that mission.
Photo Credits: Historical Photos—Courtesy of the Clatsop County Historical Society
