Manzanar Free Press


Page 18	Manzanar Free Press	September 10, 1943

First confirmation services held at the local St. Francis Xavier Church, the Catholic Church of Manzanar, was held last April with Bishop Phillip G. Scher of Fresno officiating. Assisting were Father Steinback, pastor of the local church, and Father Smith of the Santa Ross Catholic Church in Lone Pine. Altar boys are George Minamiki and Vincent Doi.

Inside the Buddhist Church, located at Block 13, is shown Reverend S. Nagatomi. He lectures at various mess halls for the benefit of the residents. This church has been made beautiful by the help of the Buddhist followers.

MANZANAR GOES TO CHURCH

Planning a meeting schedule at the Protestant Church Office are Reverends Yukichi, Seizo Abe, Junro Kashitani, and Takeshi Nishikawa. To accommodate the large number of followers, three Protestant churches are situated throughout the camp.

Churches Help Keep Up Evacuee Faith In Wartime

Work of the churches in Manzanar has grown so in the past few months that present meeting places are too small. In addition, priests, sisters, and ministers continue to counsel families and individuals coming to them for advice and help.

The first mass of the Catholic Church was held on March 29, 1942. Library of Catholic books, Catechism classes and Christian baptisms also have been organized. Clubs under the supervision of the church include: the Young People's Study Club, Senior and Junior Sodality, and the Name Society.

Father Hugh Lavery is the Superior, Father Leo Steinback, pastor, with Sisters Mary Bernadette and Mary Suzanna assisting.

The Buddhist Church held its initial service three months after the first volunteers arrived. Since then the church groups have greatly expanded and now are divided into two sects holding their services at 13-15. The Shinshu or the First Buddhist is directed by Rev. Shinjo Nagatomi, and the Nichiren or the Second Buddhist is headed by Rev. Hiromu Oda.

Outstanding among the many special services held by the church was the Hana Matsuri celebrating the birth of Buddha, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Gotanye. Bon-odori rehearsals, for the August Obon festival were held in the various areas. In conjunction with the above program, regular weekly services, lectures, shotsuki and shingon choir practices were held, having attendance exceeding 3,500 weekly. Church Council, YBA Cabinet, Fujin Kai, Gyodo Kai, and other miscellaneous meetings round out the calendar.

The Protestant Church was organized soon after the Manzanar project began. Over 3,000 people attend the weekly services at the following locations at 9-15, 11-15, 15-15, 21-15, 23-15, 30-15, and 32-15. Regular meetings are conducted by YP Fellowship, Young Adults' Forum, Adults' Council, and Teachers' Organizations. The members of the Ministerial Association are Reverends Junro Amos Kashitani, Ainosuke Ishida, Yukichi Naito, Takeshi Nishikawa, Masahiro Omi, Seiya Sakai, K. Suzuki, and Junichi Fujimori.

Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | return to Introduction