This photograph I came across in the Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. It was mislabeled as a Catholic Church. I informed them that it was not, that it was the Methodist Church. Lo and behold to my amazement they corrected it. Most institutions and professionals just ignore my input, especially archeologist because they can get away with a lot of atrocities since their work is hidden from public view. Oh well, so much for my editorial.

The original Methodist Church was located on the corner of Cottage and Lassen Streets, where the present church stands today. In the fall of 1875 the Reverend Warren Nims announced his intention to build a church in the following spring. Work on the structure was sporadic. On June 23, 1877, the Lassen Advocate reported: “The bell is already hung in the tower of the new M.E. Church. It is a real tony bell, its reverberations are heard for miles around. Our town is gradually taking on city airs.”  Work was rushed to completion and it was dedicated in September 1877. On June 6, 1900 three blocks of Susanville’s business district was destroyed by fire, including the Methodist Church.

Tim