WINNEMUCCA - St. Paul's Catholic Church of Winnemucca will hold a Wine, Cocktail and Chocolate Extravaganza on Friday, May 3, at the Humboldt County Museum.
Members of St. Paul's Altar Society and church members welcome the community's support, as in the past, with the repair of the historic church.
The address, 350 Melarkey St., has a historical significance that dates back to 1865. On this property sits St. Paul's Catholic Church.
The Central Pacific Railroad constructed its railway system through northern Nevada. This brought many diverse cultures, including Basques, Italians, Irish, Germans, Chinese, Hispanics, Native Americans and French Canadians. The Catholic missionaries rode the rails to say Mass and administer to the sick and dying.
The Rev. Patrick Manogue was assigned to establish the Catholic Church in the Nevada territory.
The original 35-foot-long, one-room church cost $3,000 and was dedicated on Jan. 6, 1884. A nearby barn held members' horses while they attended worship services.
The name selected for the church was St. Paul's, the great Apostle of the Gentiles. The church bell was donated by U.S. Sen. George Nixon, from Winnemucca.
Altar boys Norman and Ormonde Bell recalled when they pulled the rope to ring the bell, "the tower would rock as if from a slight earthquake."
The religious needs of the other Humboldt County communities of Paradise Valley, Orovada, McDermitt, Denio and Golconda have often been met by priests since 1919.
In 1924, Father Hugo Meisekothen realized his dream of a new 300-seat church in the southwestern Spanish style with cross-adorned twin towers, white stucco and a red terra cotta roof. It would contain stained glass windows, graceful arches, artful statutory and a magnificent back altar.
He submitted his personal drawings to a church architect, J.J. Foley of San Francisco, and the Romanesque-style church was designed. The new building was financed by the contributions of prominent citizens of many faiths, who donated funds to complete the project.
Church buildings are now in need of new roofs. St. Paul's Altar Society will host a fundraiser at The Humboldt County Museum on Friday, May 3, at 6 p.m. The "Night at the Museum: A Wine, Cocktails and Chocolate Extravaganza" will feature hors d'oeuvres, wines, liqueurs, cocktails, chocolates, sweet treats and entertainment.
Pete Tobin of Southern Wine & Spirits of Reno is generously providing the beverages. With his guidance, it promises to be another successful event in the 150-year history of St. Paul's Catholic Church.
Advance tickets are available by calling 623-2460. Tickets are $25 per adult in advance or $35 at the door.
Historical facts in this article were obtained from "The Humboldt Historian" written by Barbara Mentaberry, 2001.
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