Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Danvers ...

I was wandering around up in the Judith Basin country last weekend, and I took this photo of the old St. Wenceslas Catholic Church in Danvers. Danvers is an evocative but dying little town on the old Milwaukee Road line between Lewistown and Denton ... just a couple of grain elevators, a handful of houses, and the church. There was a really handsome old schoolhouse there, too ... at least until earlier this year, when some evil, heartless person tore it down.

It's been a long time since St. Wenceslas has seen more than occasional use, and now I hear that the local diocese (true to form) wants to tear it down, too ... this despite strong local sentiment to save it. I'm betting the diocese gets its way, and that the next time I visit Danvers there will be one less landmark on the prairie. Breaks my heart.

7 comments:

  1. Oh... oh I think I want to get married here instead of at the lake. What a beautiful photograph!

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  2. Gosh! I didn't even know this little place existed! Little old churches and schools dig a place in my heart....

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  3. Yeah, it's quite a spot, isn't it? And I feel exactly the same way about forgotten little churches and schools ... there must be so many memories attached to those places.

    And Courtney, I'm very glad you liked the photo. That'd be a great place for a wedding ... it'd undoubtedly be the biggest party Danvers has had in decades! :-p

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  4. Hey Mark - I didn't realize that you had posted this wonderful picture. Got a note from the National Trust asking about you and the photo and the church. They loved it!
    We're working hard to save that church, and the Diocese has been remarkably open-minded and patient as we work through real estate transactions. We hope it will be ready for weddings again next summer!

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  5. Good news, Kate ... let's hope everything goes well! Danvers used to be such a cool place, and it would be wonderful if they could save what's left.

    I've also heard second-hand rumors that some folks there are interested in trying to save the old Milwaukee Road depot -- that would be wonderful!

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  6. Great news! The church is being fully restored: http://www.preservemontana.org/st%20wenceslaus%20new%20life.html

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  7. So I hear ... and it's great news, indeed! Congratulations to the good folks at Danvers for a wonderful project.

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