St. Thomas Catholic Church in Sierra City has a new cross atop its steeple. While working on the historic building in 2020, Rudy Rodriguez of Alpine Painting noticed the original wooden cross had deteriorated to the point that was in danger of crashing to the ground. He removed it, and the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish launched a campaign to fund a new cross. Encouraged by generous donors including Father Borlaug, a visiting priest with a special affection for the building, church members raised the money and initiated the project. They contacted Ace Welding in Grass Valley who created an aluminum replica of the original, and powder coated it to resemble wood. On Monday, June 13 the cross was raised to its lofty position, some forty feet above the ground, by contractor Bob Eiermann and his crew.
St. Thomas Church has had a rough history. The original building was built in 1881, but burned down a year later. A new structure was erected in another part of town in 1887, but it was demolished by an avalanche in 1890. The existing church was bult in 1903, and stands proudly with her pristine cross reaching heavenward.
St. Thomas, located at 100 Butte Alley, Sierra City is a mission church of the Diocese of Sacramento. Due to a shortage of priests, masses are currently only offered there three times a summer. The remaining masses this year are scheduled for July 17 and August 21 at noon. (Submitted by Mary Nourse, Parishioner, 530-414-5161)
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