Ship of Fools: Holy Family, Jerome, Arizona, USA

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: Holy Family, Jerome, Arizona, USA

Heavenly to be in this historic, mining-town church, but no welcome whatsoever from the regulars

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Terry Tee

I visited Jerome many years ago when, rather than the boring drive down IS 17 from Flagstaff, I took the Oak Creek Canyon Road, which is lovely, then carried on to visit Jerome. I remember visiting a church and being surprised by the eerie atmosphere, not least a large picture of the Eye of Providence and other pictures on display which seemed ambiguous to me. (Yes I know the eye-in-triangle can be seen on the one-dollar bill.) The church seemed more Catholic than Methodist so I take it this was the one mentioned here. Perhaps it was a temporary display, But to encounter this after the ditsy weirdness of Sedona meant that I did not linger.

Bishops Finger

Just going by Miss Amanda's report, the church seems a rather odd survival, given its history.

I assume that the 830am Mass MWed is the usual monthly offering. With only a dozen or so attending, it's at least a token effort at keeping the place going, but one wonders if it can go on much longer.

Amanda B Reckondwyth

Terry Tee wrote: »

I visited Jerome many years ago . . . . I remember visiting a church and being surprised by the eerie atmosphere, not least a large picture of the Eye of Providence.

I understand this was painted over during the "restoration".

Amanda B Reckondwyth

Bishops Finger wrote: »

Just going by Miss Amanda's report, the church seems a rather odd survival, given its history.

I assume that the 830am Mass MWed is the usual monthly offering. With only a dozen or so attending, it's at least a token effort at keeping the place going, but one wonders if it can go on much longer.

Yes, that's correct. I made an effort to discover if the monthly mass was still being said, and if so, when it would be.

Bishops Finger

Thank you, Miss Amanda.

BTW, Terry Tee's mention of the *eerie atmosphere* of Holy Family reminded me of the church described in H P Lovecraft's story The Haunter Of The Dark...although that was based on a long-demolished church in Providence, RI.

Amanda B Reckondwyth

I do share your concern re how much longer Holy Family can continue to exist. I don't know the details of how the building is being maintained, and Google really isn't my friend in trying to find out more.

It does seem to be connected in some way with the Immaculate Conception parish in the nearby town of Cottonwood. Immaculate Conception's website is where I learned about the monthly Mass at Holy Family on the third Saturday, and the pastor was good enough to answer my query as to whether Mass was still being said. And a priest from Immaculate Conception celebrated the Mass I attended.

Someone is clearly paying the electric bill, sweeping the floor, dusting off the statues, and changing the candles at Holy Family. Whether it's a local team or someone from Cottonwood I don't know.

If you look closely at my photo, it would appear that the back end of the church is hanging in space. In reality, the church is built into a very steep hillside, and construction does extend down to the bottom of the hill. This is most evident when viewing the church from its backside. But I understand that this is the portion that has been declared structurally unsound. I don't know if necessary repairs have been made to correct this, but one thing is for certain: the building still stands and is still in use.

Bishops Finger

Thank you again, Miss Amanda.