Church in the Valley

In the last couple of weeks, our Living History Company has featured two performances regarding the comunity's religious heritage. The first was Rv. Cushing & Mrs. Myra Eells, who founded the local Congregational church, as well as Whitman Seminary (later to become Whitman College). This past weekend showcased four individuals who portray Seventh Day Advenstist pioneers in the Walla Walla region dating to the latter half of the 19the century.

This version of community heritage goes way back. While it would be easy enough to suggest the first practioners of faith were Marcus & Narcissa Whitman, the likelihood of religious practice dates to the French-Metis/Catholic employees of Hudson's Bay Company. There is some evidence that grapes were grown from which wine was produced for sacramental reasons. This would take you back to the 1820s and the subsequent development of the Frenchtown community.

The Whitmans arrived in 1836 and the end note of their tragic sojourn among the locals is well known. Their traveling companions, the Spaldings, had little more success among the Nez Perce people at Lapwai, but at least managed to end their days from longevity and not the business end of a tomahawk. Shortly after their arrival came the Catholic missions, including one relatively close by the Whitmans. Father JBA Brouillet set up shop on land donated by William McBean, the Scottish Chief Trader for Hudson's Bay Company. This became St. Rose of Lima Church, the anchor point for Frenchtown until the early 1900s. There were several others across the region.

In past years, the Living History Company has engaged Jeanot Poirot to portray Father Brouillet. This year, we'll feature Jean-Paul Grimaud of Blue Mountain Lavendar Farm as Father Eugene Chirouse on September 13, an entirely new performance from the Company. Also, in their second performance of the season, Elaine Derby and Cleo Wentland portray Caroline Wood and Augusta Moorhouse discussing the life of SDA prophet Ellen White on August 9. All Living History programs begin at 2:00 pm in the cool shade of the pioneer village.

Construction: it looks like the blockhouse entry will be hoisted into postion over the front doors this morning/afternoon. Wow! Things are coming along in just jim-dandy fashion! Get involved!! lend your time, talents, and support!

Photos today include The SDA pioneers (bottom), with (l-r) Gordon Hare as William Nichols, Cleo Wentland as Augusta Moorhouse, Elaine Derby as Caroline Maxon Wood, and Bob Bohlman as Aaron Miller; Rich Monacelli as William McBean; Rick and Janet Narum as the Whitmans (black-and-white); Rogers Miles and Barbara Coddington as Rev. & Myra Eells; Jean-Paul Grimaud as Father Chirouse; and Jeanot Poirot as Father Brouillet (top).