Monday, February 16, 2026

I don't hang around churches or graveyards much, but the St. Francis Xavier Church near Toledo is a lovely, peaceful spot I always enjoy. I've even seen a family of bald eagles in the trees there. A plaque says that the Cowlitz Mission, founded in 1838 was the first mission in the Pacific Northwest, and that the church was the first Catholic church in what later became the state of Washington. The present church building came much later, of course.


 

9 comments:

FitFoodieMegha said...

The building is so beautiful. Serene! Thank you for sharing with us. :)

Taken For Granted said...

Cemeteries can be interesting places to learn about the lives and deaths of local residents. Those grave markers often tell sad stories. There is a great deal of history here.

Luis Serrano said...

Es un lugar precioso Bill, y con esa luz mucho más. Me encanta ese enorme árbol que hace compañía a la Iglesia . Un lugar que impone cierto respeto.
Abrazo

Ananka said...

That's a great scene Bill. Great photo :-D

Antonio Rodriguez said...

Las viejas misiones se convirtieron en las nuevas iglesias. Yo no soy mucho de iglesias, por lo que representan, pero cuando viajo si que las visito porque muchas de ellas son muy bellas y tienen mucho arte dentro.
Un abrazo.

roentare said...

This is such a spectacular shot

Margaret D said...

Looks very good and I bet that graveyard is old.

Strayer said...

How beautiful. I've trapped a few times in cemeteries and they seem very peaceful.

kwarkito said...

Cemeteries in the American countryside always remind me of Edgar Lee Masters' book Spoon River. This picture beautiful