Near Chinook in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

St. Mary's Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 27, 2021

1. St. Mary's Church Marker

Inscription.
In 1904, P.J. McGowan donated the land and paid for the construction of a Catholic church. Built of Port Orford cedar, the church sat 150 worshippers. In the town's heyday, many families lived and worked here. After the cannery moved and fish traps and seines were outlawed, most of the buildings at McGowan deteriorated.

The church was restored in 1962. Through the efforts of the local Catholic parish and numerous volunteers, St. Mary's still holds Sunday evening Mass during the summer for both parishioners and visitors alike.

Caption: St. Mary's church was known as the McGowan Church and was one of the earliest mission grants in Washington.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 46° 14.801′ N, 123° 54.603′ W. Marker is near Chinook, Washington, in Pacific County. It can be reached from U.S. 101 1.7 miles west of State Route 401, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the Middle Village/Station Camp Park wayside. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 354 US-101, Chinook WA 98614, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Search of Recognition (a few steps from this marker); How Do These Stories Continue? (within shouting distance of

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this marker); The Business of Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); The Search for the Northwest Passage / Jefferson's Mission Accomplished (within shouting distance of this marker); A Collision of Cultures / How Did They Live? (within shouting distance of this marker); What Are the First Stories of This Place? (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Middle Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Columbia (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chinook.

Also see . . .
1. Then and Now: St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Washington Our Home website entry (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. McGowan, Washington. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 27, 2021

2. St. Mary's Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,576 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.