The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-12
HISTORY OF LOCAL
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
a0R YEARS THAT RELIGIOUS DE-
NOMINATION HAS HAD MIS-
SiONARiES HERE.
The FIRST CHURCH IN THE COUNTY
One House of Worship at Hamilton
Burned Down and Cyclone
struck Another.

The laying of the corn"" stone of
the Episcopal church in this city next
Sunday will be a matter that will
naturally cause many to inquire into
the local history of that religious
body
In the early days of Nevada-as
far back as 1869 Bishop Whitaker
was the Epicopa bishop of the state
and travelled around from mining
camp to mining camp, preaching the
gospel He was one of the very few
pastors in the state and to him is
due the credit for laying the founda-
tion of the Episcopal faith in the
sagebrush state
The first church built in White
Pine county and the ouly church up
to year or so ago, when the Roman
Catholic church was built in this city,
was the Episcopal church erected in
Hamilton years ago. The house of
worship did not withstand the de-
strGctive forces OF the universe and
was burned down. But the church
people erected another building only
to have as fatal if not worse mis-
fortune befall it. A Nevada cyclone
(although they do not occur often
in this state they are fierce when they
do arrive) took the edifice in its
grasp and when the people looked
for their church nothing but few
timbers scattered here and there
were to be found.
In the early 70's bishop Whitaker
held services in Mineral City about
three or four miles west of Ely,
When Ely started in 1886 Bishop
Leonard. who succeeded Bishop
Whitaker held services here upon
numerous occasions.
ST. Bartholomew mission was
started in Ely in 1902 by Rev. Ar
nolds in building now occupied by
saloon on Aultman street. He re-
manned in charge for twenty years.
Later on Rev Mr.. Plummer, the
father of Mrs. r. H. Richardson, was
in charge of the mission. About
this time Mr.. Campton gave to the
mission for church purposes the
block now bounded by Fourth and
Fifth streets and Lyons avenue and
High street. 1t is upon lot on
this property that the elegant new
church is now being built.
When Ely awoke from its lethargy
it requested the bishop to send a new
missionary and Rev. G. c. Hunting
answered the call. Rev. Hunting
saw the needs of the church and ap-
preciating the good work of the peo-
pie who had supported the church
during its long years of hardships
in White Pine county, set 10 work
on plans for erecting a house of Wor-
ship.
Other church heads were sent re-
quests in early days for divines who
could administer to the people of
this then isolated country, but the
long journey over rocky trails and
barren desert wastes was evidently
too much, and no ministers came.
The Episcopal clergymen, however,
stood by the needy and helped the
sick when there We're no other min
isters of the gospel in the country.
Now that the great wealth Nature
has placed at mans disposal in these
hills has brought new life into the
country, big enterprises, railroads
and the like, it is argued that it
! would be well for the people to show
their appreciation by helping out the
good cause-that of donating to the
church fund. Rev. Hunting states
that $1,000 or $4,000 is still needed
and that all donations turned in by
Saturday next will be recorded and
the names of the contributors
placed in the corner stone. Parents
who wish can donate sums in their
chldren's names so that in after
years they can point with pride and
state that they helped to build the
house of worship. Surely the money
will be for a good cause.