Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-02
THE OLDEST CHURCH TOWER.
tt Is the Trunk or Giant Fir Tree on
Puget Sound.

Ing Tacoma, the new city leaplng into
life on Commencement bay. saws the
YOUTHS Companion. The long twilight
Of the north was fading; the Puget
sea was qEiycring with light; and over
it hung Mount Tacoma or Rainier.
more than $4,000 feet high, ike a tent
Of cloth of gold. its glaciers mingled
gith sunset fire.
"Yonder, in Ola Tacoma" said
young man on the deck of the steamer,
lis the oldest church tower in the
United States. 1t is the trunk OF an
ancient pine"
Following the direction pointed out
by the young mans hand, | dscerned
4 cross. bell aud dark. leaning
tower, 10 which curious ladder led
from the roof of a small church.
The boat slowed in the clear, green
waters amid the cool shadows of the
long points of fir and pine. The sound
of church bell broke upon the still
air. The great dome of Mount Ia
coma was changing from gold into
pink and violet; the shadows in the
water were deepening, and the new
city of Tacoma was close at hand.
The oldest church tower in the
United States.n The story haunted
me even amid the confusion of land
ing. and rs soon rs had taken supper
! made inquiries about the means of
conveyance TO Old Tacoma.
The way was simple and easy-a
ten-minutes' ride on street-car. |
was soon there. and it was yet light,
for the twilight fades very slowly in
these northern regions. | have seen
the Salvation army at Seattle singing
from their hymn-books on the open
plateau at S clock in the eycnin 2 by
daylight, and there is still light in the
summer evenings at Tacoma until
much later.
1t was easy to find the little church
with the pine-tree tower. and | was
soon admring its beautiful ivies.
1t is simple Episcopal chapel. with
the trunk OF giant fir tree or pine"
for bell-tower The sexton was just
closing the little door
How old do you suppose the tower
to be?" l asked, appearing upon the
rude step.
"Old?h Some say 500 years; some
say more. 1t was probably a great
tree before America was discovered.
Ask Mr.. A, the lumber dealer; he
and the bishop built the church. The
church was built in a week. Would
you like to see the ivies inside?"
The ivies inside?" Ny curiosity
was again excited. accepted his in.
vitation. We entered the little church,
whose lamps he quickly lighted.
The chapel was rude, but / never
saw a more beautiful altar, except at
Christmas. The chancel was filled
with living ivy. which had grown into
it through the seams of the rough
boards. The church was always
trimmed with ivy. How simple and
beautiful it was!
| met friends in Tacoma and ex.
pressed my delight at the poetic beauty
of the old Tacoma church. | was in.
troduced to Mr.. A. wealthy lum.
Der dealer. who may be said TO have
built the church.
Il caused the great pine to be
sawed of, 8" he said. 'aud the bell
and cross were placed upon it. 1t was
the year when the surveys of the North
ern Pacific railroad were completed.
AS soon rs it was known that Tacoma
was to be the terminus people came
hurrying here. and pitched their tents,
and built their cabins among the great
trees on the hills. With them came the
bishop and we agreed that these peo-
pie should ut once have place in
which TO worship. We began the
church on Tuesday and held service in
it on the next Sunday"
The region about the city Of Tacoma
is full of giant pines, some of them
200 feet high. This tree was evidently
the monarch Of the primeyal forest. II
rose over the inland sea and was fanred
by the soft winds of the Kuro Siwo. or
japanese current, before Columbus
sailed into the west.
Thousands OF Americans will. wish
10 say to the bishop of the state of
Washington Spare forever that
piue-tr e tower This tree stands
for national sentiment. for primitive
religious principle. 1t is sacred tree.
Long may its slender cross be lighted
by the sunset reflection of Mount Ia
coma. and It's bell be heard in the
respondent twilight OF that placid
Mediterranean of tho western world.