Baker Cabin Pioneer
Church
Oregon Trail emigrants
left established homes and farms in the East to start anew in the wilderness
that was the Oregon Country. Emigrants packed simple farm wagons with
enough food, clothing and supplies to last ans entire year before crops could
be planted and harvested in Oregon.
 The journey was long and arduous, and much was lost or abandoned
along the way -- treasured posssessions, wagons and livestock. Faith
endured, however, and many entered the Willamette Valley a few miles to the
east of this site and along with Elizabeth Julia Goltra in 1853, "gave
thanks to the all seeing eye who has watched over us across the dreary plains
and still more dreary mountains." this
humble church stands as testimony to the enduring faith of Oregon's early
settlers.
This church (Buenker German Methodist) was built
in 1894 and originally stood a few miles to the southeast near the intersection
of Strowbridge and springwater roads. the building was moved to this
site in 1967 and restored in 1970-71 by the Baker Cabin Historical society.
"...we came in site of houses
and gardens, fields and fences! My heart arose in gratitude to God
that we had been spared to reach this land! Six long months have elapsed
since we left our native land, and now after having passed through dangers
seen and unseen, sickness, trial and difficulty, toil and fatigue, we are
safely landed on the Pacific shores! Thus far the Lord has led us on."
"Hitherto He has helped us. What shall we render unto
His name for his goodness unto us?"
Esther Belle McMillan Hanna; September 16, 1852. |