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St. Anne's Catholic Church, Columbia, California. Located on Kennebeck Hill, on the original site of three rich mining claims, this is believed to be the first brick church to be built in California. It was started in 1852 and completed in 1856. Bricks used in the structure were kilned at Shaw's flat and its timbers were hand hewn. Funds and aid in building were donated by the miners. The belfry was added in 1857, the bell having been cast in Troy, N. y. and shipped around the horn. This bell weighs three-quarters of a ton and cost $1500. Beautiful altar paintings are the work of James Fallon, son of a pioneer hotel owner. The edifice was declared unsafe and abandoned in 1910 but was repaired and rededicated in 1926. R. D. |
