Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, March 26, 1961, Image 36

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Medford mail tribune., March 26, 1961, Image 36

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Newspaper Page TextPainting In Northern California Church Was Hung 106 Years Ago Father Florian's First Trip Into Area Was in 1853 By KATHEHINE CHAPMAN Mail Tribune Correspondent Hornbrook - There was no church at all In the rough-and-tumble gold mining town of Sawyer's Bar in northern California in 1853 when Fa ther Florian Schwenninger made his first trip into the Salmon river settlements. Soon, however, the "Little Padre of Paradise Flat" had won suoh affection in the hearts of the pioneers, Cath olic and Protestant alike, that in 1855 they resolved to build a place of worship to encour- . age him to come often. Little further encouragement actu ally was needed, however, as ; the Salmon mountains re minded Father Florian (as he was always called) of the Ty- ' rols of his native Austria and so endeared themselves to him that he visited the country as frequently as the size of his parish would allow. He had arrived in San Fran cisco in August, 1852, having ' been encouraged to move to California by Bishop Alle- many of San Francisco whom he had met while serving churches in Utica and Syra cuse, New York. . . . ' On Way to Mines Less than a year later, in July, 1853, Father Florian was on his way to the mines of Shasta and Trinity coun- ties, the first missionary priest : to celebrate the mass, within the boundaries of those coun ties. .... Over the divide from Car vllle, down to CecilylHe, thence to Sawyer's Bar, he made his first .trip, that year to the Salmon river settle ments. Back and forth, on muleback and on foot he jour neyed bringing the comforts and the sacraments of t h e church to his people. Having served as sole pas tor of the vast wilderness that was Siskiyou county, in July, 1858, he was able to obtain an assignment as resident priest at Sawyers Bar in his beloved Salmon mountain country. Lives in Lean-is' 1 ' Here in a lean-to: at the rear of the church he lived with his cats and his chick ens, ministering, to the needs of the settlers, and conducting elementary school for the children of his congregation. In his work with the ever changing horde of . gold-seekers, he made no distinction between Cathqlic. and , Pfot-. estant, Indian and white man. If a need existed, he met it. His only reservation was that he accepted help for his church only from those of his faith. And, here at last, with a church of his own, he could unroll the treasured parcel which he carried, wrapped in oiled silk, in his pack on his back. This was a painting of I ''-'X It Jr ' ), fL ' yt i V in?. ; . ?-:M- rs fit? Wk. 4 0 Sk I.. I.W ' 1.4 r-Z'Lh ; :W .'HV m jot. A 'M 'THE CRUCIFIXION' This painting, which recently has been restored under the brought into Sawyer s Bar in Nortnern Can- sponsorship of the Siskiyou County Hislori fornia by the Rev. Florian Schwenninger in . cal Society. 1855, still hangs in the Sawyer's Bar church, The Crucifixion." . i Received by him as a gift when he left his homeland, it had been carefully preserv ed and guarded on all his travels through the moun tains. . Hung Over Altar The picture was hung on the wall over the altar, which itself, had been beautifully and intricately made by the little priest. One hundred and six years have passed since Father Flo rian hung the picture in his beloved church, but the col ors are still in fair condition, and when the light is right, all 32 faces In the painting may be clearly seen. Time and the elements nave ravaged the building, and dampness has begun to rot the canvas In the picture, but the fact that the building re mains at all is a monument to the care and devotion giv en it by several generations of Sawyer's Bar families. Two Small Rooms . On each ' side of the dais on which the altar stands is a small room about four by ANNOUNCING T. D. RICH of Eugene, Oregon Has Purchased the ROOFING DEPARTMENT OF PAR ROOF & FENCE CO. And will continue at 111 North Fir under the name of . . ". T. D. RICH ROOFING CO. The Fencing department will Continue under JAY BROWN at TOWN & COUNTRY FENCE ... Alio at 111. North Fir T. D. RICH . Roofing Co. Ill North Fir PH. SP 2-4428 All types of roofingl Shake and Shingle Composition Shingle Built-up & Gravel roofs Industrial Spraying Specializing In Recover work Free Estimates Town & Country FENCE 1 1 1 North Fir PH. SP 2-8240 Chain Link, Rustic Split Cedar Rail Fences. Lifetime wood fences mount ed on Steel Posts, ESTIMATES Without Charge! Call Jay Brown THIS WEEK! nine feel, one used as the sacristy, the other as a con fessional. In one of these rooms may be seen a few of the head boards which Father Florian carved for the graves in the cemetery beside the church. These have been brought in side to be preserved from the weather, but unfortunately they were taken in too late. The ' inscriptions themselves are undecipherable, but the beautifully carved edgings re main as evidence of his ar tistry . Carving on the headboards was always free. The whip- sawed boards were brought to him and the engraving was done in loving remembrance of the faithful.. Failing Health Father Florian remained at Sawyer's Bar until 1866 when failing health forced him to retire to Marysville, Calif., at the age of 57. There has never been a resident priest at Saw yer's Bar since that time. Scholarship List Distributed by AL Local high school seniors who are Interested In-obtaining finnncial assistance for higher education have been reminded' of a publication; "Need a Lift?" distributed by tlio Aiyiprica.n. Legion. .Wex ford. The educational handbook contains hundreds of college and vocational school schol arship listings for qualified high school students. This publication, revised annually, is recognized as one of the most complete sources of ca- I rccr and scholarship Informal tion in the United States, ac cording to Legion Commander Gninvlr Brittsan. Brittsnn pointed out that the publication doesn't limit its listings to children of vet crans, but also contains schol arships and. educational aids available to all students "Every year," Brittsan con tinued; "llu-re are 'thousands of scholarships and grants for higher education which go uiv used. This is due in part to the fact that too many needy, j qualified high school students1 are unaware of these offers' of financial assistance." ! The handbook; prepared by ! the education and scholarship committee of the Legion's Na tional Child Welfare commis sion, is now In its revised edl-' tion, Distribution of more than a quarter of a million t'opU-s since 1051 includes! those sent to Mcdford High school for student use. : Occasional visits were made by different priests for many years, but these visits have be come more and more infre quent. Perhaps Sawyer's Bar is a little too distant, or mod ern conveyances do not take to the difficult road over the mountains as did the hardy mules of the pioneers. It is an historical shrine now-dear to all who revere the memory of those early-day settlers. In 192B a plaque was placed on the corner of the church which reads: . ."Erected 1855. Dedicated to the memory of Father Florian and the pioneers of Sawyer's Bar on Oct. 7, 1928 by Mountain Dawn Parlor No. 120 of the Na tive Daughters of the Gold en West and by Liberty Parlor No. 193 of the Native Sons of the Golden West." In 1953 a group of people interested in the preservation of the old church organized a "Committee for Restoration of Sawyer's Bar church." One of Us first acts was to request the sponsorship of the Siskiyou County Historical Society. Operate As Committee This was given, and in all their activities the group op crated as a committee of the Society. A total of $2,270 was raised for tile' work, a sub stantial portion of which was raised through Salmon river community projects and the rest by popular subscription. Restoration work done by the committee included re placing tlie wooden founda tion with concrete, rebuilding the entire front of the church with-native cedar, replacing all window frames and sash, and the rebuilding of the en trance steps and porch to their original plan of construction. The interior was preserved as nearly as possible in its original state. Assisting as ' a member of the committee and also in do ing much of the actual work ot restoration was Joe Scrpn of Ft. Jones, who also is so liciting funds and working on the restoration of the century old Catholic church at Cal lahan, Calif. John Norris Pledged j In U of O F rater nify Eugeno - John C. Norris has been pledged lo Phi Kap pa Sigma fralernily at the University of Oregon during the winter term, according to tin office of student attairs. Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. 1 Vallnn A. Norris, 831 Mlnnc-j sola avc., Medford. was one I of 63 men pledged to local fra-1 tcrnltict during the term. 1 Paint With llftf' The Wonderful Paints.,. .VI L&Uy So Easy 7jr To Usel S&H GREEN STAMPS, TOO! Medford Paint & Wallpaper Store 6th It Holly Acrau From P.O Phon. SP 2-9331 Los Angles Pastor to Speak at Discussion The third of a series of dis cussion meetings by the Church and the Peace panel has been scheduled April 4 at 8 p.m. in the St. Mark's Epis copal parish hall. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Stephen H. Fritchman of the First Unitarian church, Los Angeles, Calif. In its second 1 discussion meeting last Sunday, the pan el presented a general view of world disarmament and devel opment, with special emphasis on the "Great Decision" topic RIVER VOLUME Portland - The Columbia river, the boundary between Washington and Oregon, car ries more water than all the other American streams lo cated in the Pacific coast re gion combined. proposed for consideration by religious groups. Under discussion was the subject, "What does the Chris tian say about the fact that the major factor in our pros perity is the arms race?" , Participating were Dr. George Roscberry, Methodist church, moderator; the Rev. Escil Hiser, Church of the Brethren; the Rev. Theodore J. Erhlich, St Mark's Episco pal church; Richard Ketchum, Presbyterian church; Arnold Jenny, Methodist church; Rob ert Grant, Catholic church; and Mrs. Harlan Bosworth Jr., Episcopal church. ; During the meeting, the group and audience voted to continue the discussion each month to determine the churches' position on peace programs, and to allow mem bers of the various churches to meet. MHS Junior Receives Mention in 'Tech Show' James Johnston, a junior at Medford High school, has re ceived honorable mention rib bons on a set of architectural drawings exhibited in the state drawing exhibit at the Benson Polytechnic "tech show" in Portland. He is the sow of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnston, 914 South Newtown ave., Medford. SECURED INVESTMENTS Preferred Contracts. Will net 8?& and up on your invest ment. Bank references. In come figures certified by Public Accountant. Monthly return. Write Tribune Box 8594-D. 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