An Irish Pastor in Eagle Rock
John Dawson, age 21, came directly from Northern Ireland to Eagle Rock in 1890.[1, 2, 3] He stopped in Rock Springs, Wyoming to visit his brother, Isaac, who had immigrated in 1888 and was rector of the Rock Springs Episcopal Church.[4] John came as a missionary, and the territory given him extended from Ross Fork to Beaver Canyon and as far east and west as he cared to go.[2,5]
John related the story of his coming to Eagle Rock when he visited Idaho Falls in 1929:[2]
“I came to Eagle Rock in July 1890, spending my first Fourth of July in the States here. The Rev. Bert Foster accompanied me. We joined in the town celebration emphasizing our presence by standing while the Star Spangled Banner was sung, but all of of the others remained seated. I thought that rather strange. We were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Taylor who lived in the only brick residence that I remember being here at that time. I got to be well acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, who edited the Register, Mrs. Matt Taylor (and many others)…
"As to church work, I called on everyone (in town) and as a rule was greeted most cordially. I make it a rule never to let anyone, if I can help it, go away with a bad taste in their mouths, but when compelled to do so I try to give them an awful one. It just takes three things to make a clergyman: Grit, Grace and Gumption, and I tried hard to work all three. Perhaps this may interest a few of our prohibition friends. When I came, all of the saloons were wide open 26 of the 24 hours in a day. I used to conduct services in Taylor Hall over a saloon and across from the depot and often in our prayers and sermons we heard the clashing of glasses and singers, and coming from the old country it was rather distressing to me. So I visited all of the saloons and politely asked if the other saloon owners would close for services would he. Ben Jenne said, ”By God he would if the others would and he wouldn’t if the others didn’t.” So I promised to go the rounds and let them all know. All promised and I repeated the rounds and all closed. When the cowboys and ranch hands came and found the places closed they wanted to see the blanket blank preacher who did this ----- thing and of course I obliged them.
"The saloon boys kept closed up until I came down with Mountain Fever and then they opened up again. The cause of the opening was because an Irishman opened a saloon across the track and did not feel that he was part of the bargain. The others felt they had to open also. When I came back again I called on my fellow countryman and I hated to acknowledge the fact that he was the only rude one among the “boys.” I called again on the other saloon friends and told than I would not hold them to their bargains and the deal was off; I was more than ever the favorite of the boys. I was in every saloon in my vast parish and have seen the gambling and drinking and whenever an opportunity occurred I invited them to come to Divine services. I can tell lots of rather curious experiences in one way or another. I tried to stand on my rights and privileges and tried never to abuse either. Many, many kindnesses were shown me and I appreciate them very much..."
Starting in the summer of 1891, John Dawson used the school house for the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church, spending two Sundays an month in Idaho Falls,[6] one Sunday in Blackfoot and one Sunday elsewhere, also holding services during the week in various places, such as Medicine Lodge and Dubois.[7] At two services in the summer of 1891 at Medicine Lodge, the Idaho News reported:[8]
Notwithstanding the fact that various accommodations were made to seat the congregation, a large number failed in securing standing room inside which accounted for the doors and windows being thronged with eager listeners. A great interest has been manifested in the services. persons attending who came a distance of 15 miles and others who desired going an hour early to get a seat.
By the fall of 1891, John started raising money to begin construction of a church building in Blackfoot, and the church, St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, was ready for use by Easter of 1892.[9] In late May of 1892, he was advanced to the Episcopal priesthood in a service in Pocatello.[10] In that same month he went to an Idaho Falls town board meeting to request an ordinance closing all saloons and businesses on Sundays, but his request was tabled and never acted on.[11]
The following year, the Blackfoot News reported, "Rev. Mr. Dawson begins to wear an air of lonesomeness but never mind, he is going to old Ireland in September and he will find one who will be company for him there."[12] He was so busy with his ministry in Blackfoot and Idaho Falls that he didn't make the trip, but the Lord provided for his need by bringing his fiancée from Ireland and they were joined in marriage by his brother, who at this time was serving in Baker City, Oregon.[13] He and his bride returned to Blackfoot in mid-January, 1894,[14] where Rev. Dawson had relocated, continuing to serve congregations in Idaho Falls and other communities in southeastern Idaho. In Idaho Falls, he made use of both the Baptist and Methodist church buildings[15], but by August of 1894 was raising funds for the construction of St. John's Episcopal church in town.[16] That report included:
"Rev. Dawson commenced the Episcopal mission work at this place about five years ago, holding services in the hall or schoolhouse, many times under great difficulty in the way of securing an audience, as at that time there were not a great many church-going people here, but he continued to labor earnestly and the number of his friends increased greatly, and today he is one of the most popular ministers in Southeastern Idaho, in nearly every town of this section of the state he has held services and has made many warm friends who always welcome his coming. Though still a young man, being about 28, Rev. Dawson had done a great deal of good in uplifting humanity and this section of Idaho has been better for his coming; besides establishing missions at different points he has built one church at Blackfoot and the church here will make his second, and it is sincerely hoped by the good people of Idaho Falls that he will be returned to this place to finish his work of usefulness so earnestly commenced and so ably carried on up to the present time."[16]
In September 1895 they put on an Irish "literary and musical production of a highly intellectual and moral character" at the Baptist church to raise money for their building project; Rev. Dawson's wife taking the lead soprano role.[17]
In February 1896, Rev. John Dawson and his wife moved to Elko, Nevada[18] where he continued his missionary endeavors for a year and a half, and then he accepted a call to pastor the Episcopal church in Roseburg, Oregon.[19] This move put him within 70 miles of where his brother was ministering. While in Elko, he delivered an address to the High School Literary Society, "A Trip Though Yellowstone Park," based on a six-week visit he made to the Park in 1892.[20]
In January, 1904, Rev. Dawson accepted a call to the The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Portland, where he served for the next 33 years. At a celebration when he had completed 30 years, he received numerous accolades, including this one:
"The Rev. Mr. Dawson is a man of rare unselfishness and has devoted himself these many years to the welfare of not only his flock, but all those with whom he comes in contact... Frank Smith president of the Federation of Community Clubs, said 'I have been associated with Rev. John Dawson in civic and community club work for many years. His efforts have always been vigorous and unselfish and uniformly for the common good. His ministry extends far beyond the boundaries of his parish, his friendship is warm and true, and his loyalty to his community has won for him the love and esteem of his neighbors.'"[21]
To honor his community service, a city park in Portland was named after him.[22]
He passed away in Portland in 1956.[22]
References and Notes
[2] Idaho Falls Times Register, August 13, 1929. "Resident of 40 Years Ago Visits City Again," p. 4.
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