Landmarks - Churches

 

A doctor's wife was suppose to be active socially, in church and civic duties. Mother was an active member of the Methodist church. I was baptized there and went to Sunday School.

Sonora had a number of churches. The Episcopal Church everyone who comes to Sonora sees at the top of Washington Street, where it forks at Snell Street. I remember at Easter the members of the Masonic Order with their dark hats with white plumes and dark suits would march up there to attend services.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church was on a hill. Coming into Sonora on Highway 108 you can see the white cross on it steeple.

The Methodist Church is near the old Courthouse on Yaney Street near the Catholic Church and facing Norlin Street. I have heard this part of town was called Piety Hill

I had Methodist, Episcopalian and Catholic friends.

There was quite a bit of intolerance and bigotry. My Sunday school teacher said Catholic's were sinners because they worshipped idols, quoting the Bible story of the people worshipping the Golden Calf. This even carried over at school; some children being very unkind. One little girl was in tears because, being a sweet Catholic child, they made fun of her and said she would have to kiss the Pope's feet. Also there were lots of rumors that oftentimes a tunnel was dug connecting the nun's quarters with the monastery. All in all the priest sis not like ministers and ministers returned the non-affection.

The churches tried to entertain their young people. There were after-school meetings at the Methodist Church with chocolate and coolies. I hope most of us didn't go just for the chocolate and coolies. On Sunday evenings the Christian Endeavor had meetings for the young high school students. It was one way to meet their girl or boy friends. My Episcopal friends invited me often to their parties in the hall behind the church. They allowed dancing which the Methodists did not approve of.

I will never forget the wonderful Catholic picnics. Father Patrick Guerin owned some land on t he road past the Catholic Cemetery. There was a big pavilion there where they had dances after other festivities were ended in the evening. In the morning a King and Queen were crowned to reign over the affair. Once Lorena Hartvig was queen and another time Laura Morse Hardin. Alice Fahey was queen too. Frank Baker was king once. 

They sold all kinds of goodies, ice cream, coolies and enchiladas. I never had quite enough money for the enchiladas. I can still see now how good they looked, and after walking all the way out there I was hungry.

The Methodists had picnic too. They were sometimes on the fields opposite the Sonora Plaza. I loved to pick the dainty trembling grass that grew in the shadiest spots. These picnics weren't nearly as impressive as the Catholic picnic but they were lots of fun.