Arizona republican., 1908-04-01
By Rev. orviIIc Goats.

some months ago the writer recelN- ed a letter from a prospective home seeker in the Northwest anS1ously in- hiring whether there could be found in this wild western land Of bad men and bad Indians" some small city or village where there were Christian people and where young man would be safe. The inquirer desired, if pos sible. to locate near railroad or at least a stage line connecting with out side civilization. Information was promptly returned to the effect that there were several cities and towns in the Territory in which Christian peo- Dle are to ho found and that the bad man and bad Indian exist mostl:- in the unfettered imagination of the writ CTS Of cheap stories and cheaper plays.
 The missionary zeal of churches of all denominations has supplied the de- lnand for Christian privileges with a lavish hand. Few places of any inn bortance are withort church of some kind. True the mining camps and some O. the more remote hamlets are vet without church organization or regular preaching services.
 The Salt Rirer Valley Is peculiarly
 
 of it's churches and Christian workers The population of the valley is cosmo- politan B character and far above the average in general intelligence. The explanation O. this fact is to be found in the marvellous climate which at tracts health-seekers. home-seekers and rest seekers from every state in the Union. Families of the better class possessing both cash and culture. hay ing perhaps one member in delicate health. turn from the rigorous and try ing climatic conditions of the north, east. middle west and south to the healing sunshine of Phoenix and vicin- ity for tEe sake of that one. In many instances restored health is not accom- panied by a desire to return to the bliZZards. rainy da:'s and piercing winds or the old home. One does not need to drink HassavamDa water to become content to abide in Arizona after even q brief experience of its unrivalled attractions. Hence we have here representatives of the best families. the best schools. the best churches in the Union. The various professions are manned by these who have occupied positions of influence and responsibility elsewhere. All this is especially true of the constitution and life of the churches. In their membership ma. be found the strong men and women of the most important churches in the country. Church off Cers drop into our pews and lend their experience and ineans to the advance ment of the religious interests of their new home. Breaches leave pastorates of commanding influence elsewhere and. accepting greatly reduced com pensation and narrower opportunities here. still give to the people the full ness O. their power and training Church music commands some of the finest talent in the country.
 Phoenix with it's 14.OO population has twelve churches besides several Mis- Salvation Army. It is distinctively churc going city. Its most prominent business and professional men are iden- tifed with its religious life Its char itable and benevolent organizations are not surpassed for aggressive useful ness by those of any city in the coun- try The crudities of frontier fife and the rawness of unblushing vice have had their day. The gambling has gone, the saloon is going and the church is growing.
 The story of the churches of Phoenix is full of the romance of heroic begin nings and enlarging cOnquests. Space forbids more than the barest record of facts. Of the men and women who have laid the foundations. borne the heat and burden of the day. and of those who now stand for the best in Christianity among us. there is not time to tell. The facts to be given concerning the various religious or ganizations of the city are suggestive rather than complete. They will serve to indicate the spiritual privi- leges awaiting those of the various faiths who may be planning to plant q home in this beautiful garden of the Southwest. The homeseeker will see that he will find here the church of his own faith, organized. active and pros porous. and that his children will not be deprived of that spiritual counsel in which he recognizes their highest guide to usefulness and happiness.
 Taking the churches in the chronO- logical order of their organization we find ticat St Mary's Roman Catholic Parish of Phoenix. is as old as the city. From 1870 to 1880 religious services were conducted in d house which stood on the lot now occupied by the Elem ing building. In 1880 an adobe church 10 50 feet-waS built on East Mon Toe and Third streets. This building was dedicated on the 18th of June 1881. In 1882 the parish obtained resident priest in the person of the Rev. Joseph Bloise. who was succeed ed iu 1887 by the Rev. F. H. Jouven-