Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Sept. 30, 2004 edition of the Inland Register)

A small group of people from St. Philip Benizi Parish in Ford, Wash., has been struggling to raise funds to make improvements to their church.

In 2001, parishioners met under the leadership of their pastor at that time, Jesuit Father Jake Morton, to pledge monies toward needed roof repairs on the current building and the historic St. Joseph Church at Ford. The need now is for an addition to the current block-built church hall.

Fund-raising continues to this day, with the latest activity scheduled for an Oct. 2 rummage and bake sale.

Ford is a small community situated between the towns of Reardan and Springdale. Just across the bridge from Ford, St. Philip Church is located on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

The community hall has traditionally been used for a variety of occasions, from catechism classes to Tupperware parties, committee meetings, and wakes. Although there has never been a charge for use of the hall, there have, unfortunately, been incidents of misuse and theft of furnishings, necessitating replacements from already strained coffers.

Another setback was the departure of Father Jake, as he is affectionately known. He was an experienced electrician and planned to donate his work on the project.

The parish has never received funds from the diocese. A $10,000 grant was applied for and received from the Enterprise Committee (B.C.) of the Spokane Tribe under the auspices of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program. The original grant monies and fund-raiser monies were combined to complete the first stage of needed roof repairs.

Following successful completion of the first phase, the E.C. was again approached for monies. In addition, the group continues to raise money to complete the second phase of enlarging the parish hall, kitchen, bathrooms, and improving the sewer system. The parish has been gifted with an amount of money from an inheritance. As one parishioner jokingly explained the profits, “that’s a lot of rags we’ve sold through our little building.”

Some work has already been completed, but more fund-raising and labor remain. (IR photo)

Building blocks have been purchased for the 54’x36' addition to be constructed with volunteer labor. However, health issues and a need for volunteers have necessitated the requesting bids to complete the building shell and roof before winter weather. The proposal will be written through the planning office of the Spokane Tribe with hopes for a completion date of late October or early November.

Requests for bids should be addressed to David Ernst, Tribal Planner, PO Box 100, Wellpinit WA. 99040. Phone: 458-6590.

According to one of the volunteers, “Our fund-raisers will continue, to finish the inside wiring, plumbing, kitchen area, carpeting, etc. At an average profit of $1,000 per sale we’ve got our work cut out for us. I know we will appreciate this community project more just knowing what we had to do to see our dream come true.”

She said, “It would be nice if other volunteers of time, materials or monetary donations would come forward. It would certainly help our budget if some good Samaritans would donate needed items, especially lumber materials such as trusses. I thought it was worth publicizing our project and see what might come about. But if not, well, that’s just more ‘rags’ and fry bread we’ll have to sell.”

The land for the church was donated by Millie Abrahamson, a Spokane Tribal member and among God’s most faithful. She used to have a yearly bazaar to pay for heating oil. Many of those items were handmade by Millie. Her children and other parishioners continue her work today.

The church itself was built in 1967, with ongoing fund-raising for heating and other expenses. With the increased age of parishioners and accompanying health issues, another group has to take up the cause. Each year escalating heating expenses and costs of building materials require additional funds.

Currently, a handful of male volunteers are only able to work Saturdays away from their regular jobs and those building blocks are pretty heavy, even for young men. Most are inexperienced in masonry work so a mason working on his day off supervises them.

We sincerely thank everyone who has supported us.

(For further information, contact St. Philip Benizi Parish at PO Box 187 Ford, WA 99013; or call (509) 258-7036 or (509) 258-9187.)