Bodie Church

In the summer of 1879, the Catholic Priest who presided over Bodie, Father John Cassin, called on the Catholic members of the town to help raise funds to build ...
Read more

In the summer of 1879, the Catholic Priest who presided over Bodie, Father John Cassin, called on the Catholic members of the town to help raise funds to build a church.

The Bodie Standard newspaper reported on July 9, 1880 that the women of Bodie has raised over $1,000 for the church. In July 1882, a full three years after the original call for donations, the required materials were delivered to the corner of Wood & Lowe streets. Construction moved much faster than the raising of the monies and in just over one month the structure was complete.

On September 10th, 1882 dedication of the Catholic Church was celebrated. Prior to this, Father Cassin (and his Methodist counterpart, Reverend Hinkle) would give their members their religious teachings in the Miner’s Union Hall – Catholic services at 10am, Methodist at 2pm – hardly a hallowed place in Bodie.

Read less