St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church (Zigzag, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
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Church photographed in 1978 after being relocated from the Zigzag site
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Zizag, Oregon |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | John Steiner |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002045 |
| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1979 |
The St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is a special old church building. It is also known as the Church of St. John in the Woods. This historic church is located near Welches, Oregon. It was first built near Zigzag, Oregon.
The church started as a small mission church. It was a place for people to worship who lived far from the main church in Estacada. Later, it became part of the St. Michael the Archangel parish in Sandy, Oregon. This happened when that parish was created in 1952.
The church building was made in 1937. It was built in a style called Rustic. This style uses natural materials like logs. The church was officially opened on September 6, 1937. In 1971, a big road, U.S. Route 26, was made wider. This meant the church building had to be moved. A new church was then built in its place. Special stained glass windows and log pews from the old church were put into the new one. The new church opened in 1972.
The original log-cabin church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it is an important historical site.
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History of St. John the Evangelist Church
The very first St. John the Evangelist Church was built in 1926. It was located in Zigzag. It was blessed on July 18, 1926. This church served about 40 Catholic families. It also welcomed visitors in the Welches and Zigzag areas.
Rebuilding the Church in 1937
The first church building collapsed because of heavy snow. So, it had to be rebuilt in 1937. A new log-cabin-style church was built. Henry Steiner and his sons, John, Fred, and Al, helped build it. Archbishop Howard blessed this new church on September 6, 1937.
This church had a rustic design. It featured unique diamond windows and beautiful stained glass. It also had special double doors and strong wooden supports. This church building was used until 1971.
Moving the Church Building
In 1971, Highway 26 was made wider. This road work took up some of the church's land. Because of rules about land use, the log-cabin church building had to be moved. After it was moved, a local theater group used it for plays.
A New Church Building is Built
After the log-cabin church was moved, work began on a new church. This new building was at the original site. Construction started in 1972. The beautiful stained glass windows and log pews from the old church were saved. They were then put into this new church. Archbishop Dwyer blessed this third version of the church on June 9, 1972.
Becoming a Historic Place
On December 21, 1979, the original log-cabin church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places in the United States. As of 2008, the old log-cabin building was kept on a different property. It was separate from the church building used today in Welches.
See also
