Comiaken Reserve Stone Church, or Butter Church, as it was called, was built by Roman Catholic missionaries in 1870, with the help of the Cowichan Indian tribes. "Helpers were paid by the sale of butter churned by the priest" a gold plaque reads, hence it's old nickname. The missionaries were intent on gaining a following here, but by 1880, the church had been abandoned. It still sits here today, a symbol of the moment of contact between European religion and Native Indian tribes on Vancouver Island.
Here is a great write-up on the history of "Indian Stone Church" by Coast Salish artist Joe Jack.
In 2009 and 10 I spent a chunk of time riding freight trains around Vancouver Island. At this time, we were visiting with a loved one in the area, and she took us to this historic gem. We love and miss you Louise.
I also pasted up this little ditty on some driftwood in Maple Bay on that same trip...
click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES
No comments:
Post a Comment