When my grandmother Daisy Thomas came to Machias in 1898 with three toddlers, my grandfather Bert Thomas had come ahead of her and he was the depot agent. Like Warner said, there were seven saloons. She went to work and formed a temperance society, and the Ladies Aid to raise funds for building a church. The church was dedicated in 1905 and fifty years later, she was the only charter member still living. However, the town didn’t burn until about 1918-19 when my mother Lorus (Thomas) Gemmer was at Normal school. The second school burned in 1906 and it was replaced by 1909 by the one that was torn down in 1969. I have a photo of the 7th and 8th graders in the 1909-1910 term that was taken on the steps of the new school. My mom and Luther Jones are both in the picture.
THe Machias Community Church has been part of my husband’s history for as long as we can remember. His parents attended the young peoples group and ended up getting married while attending Machias Community Church. It would be a shame to have it torn down. OUr hope is that it will be donated to the historical group and moved. The cemetery above the church is important to us as well as we have several aunts, uncles, cousins and great grandparents buried there. Thank you for writing the article which appears in the Tribune this week, September 22nd.
great article. hopefully this will stir some interest in the structure and the historical society can still be involved too restore. Louise Lindgrin of snohomish historical preservation- was active when we met with her in at the county offices and she got involved for only a short time and I believe she retired and it ended there. marilyn
Dorothy Jean (Gemmer) Schroedersays:
September 25, 2010 at 1:35 am Edit
When my grandmother Daisy Thomas came to Machias in 1898 with three toddlers, my grandfather Bert Thomas had come ahead of her and he was the depot agent. Like Warner said, there were seven saloons. She went to work and formed a temperance society, and the Ladies Aid to raise funds for building a church. The church was dedicated in 1905 and fifty years later, she was the only charter member still living. However, the town didn’t burn until about 1918-19 when my mother Lorus (Thomas) Gemmer was at Normal school. The second school burned in 1906 and it was replaced by 1909 by the one that was torn down in 1969. I have a photo of the 7th and 8th graders in the 1909-1910 term that was taken on the steps of the new school. My mom and Luther Jones are both in the picture.
Joni Marie Smithsays:
September 24, 2010 at 1:46 am Edit
THe Machias Community Church has been part of my husband’s history for as long as we can remember. His parents attended the young peoples group and ended up getting married while attending Machias Community Church. It would be a shame to have it torn down. OUr hope is that it will be donated to the historical group and moved. The cemetery above the church is important to us as well as we have several aunts, uncles, cousins and great grandparents buried there. Thank you for writing the article which appears in the Tribune this week, September 22nd.
jerry jonesays:
September 23, 2010 at 3:48 pm Edit
great article. hopefully this will stir some interest in the structure and the historical society can still be involved too restore. Louise Lindgrin of snohomish historical preservation- was active when we met with her in at the county offices and she got involved for only a short time and I believe she retired and it ended there. marilyn