St. John's Episcopal Church and Rectory (Jackson, Wyoming)
Encyclopedia
St. John's Episcopal Church and Rectory form a small complex of log structures in Jackson, Wyoming
. The rectory
was built first: in 1911 it was a hostel and community center under the supervision of Episcopal Bishop
Nathaniel Thomas. Church services were held there until 1916, when the church was built. The church and hostel are among the largest log structures in Jackson Hole
.
The rectory was the first location in Jackson to hold regular Episcopal services, beginning in 1911. Services had been held intermittently since 1908. With the construction of the new church in 1916 the rectory was used as a hostel so that ranchers and lodgers at dude ranch
es more than a day's travel distant could stay overnight. The rectory was also used as a meeting place and social hall, and eventually as a community library with over 1000 volumes. The rectory is a 1-1/2 story building, featuring carefully built log dormers.
The 1916 church was built by Butch and Ed Robinson of Jackson, using logs cut and cured by George and Clarence Blain, with finish work by master carpenter Raul A. Imeson. The church and rectory were designed using the locally prevailing rustic
style that was becoming popular for dude ranches and park structures. The church measures approximately 60 feet (18.3 m) by 24 feet (7.3 m), covered with an open log-trussed roof. This building is now referred to as a chapel, since a new, larger church was built in 1995.
The site also includes a 1950s rectory and a frame parish hall, both considered non-contributing structures.
St. John's Church operates the Chapel of the Transfiguration
in Grand Teton National Park
. The church was instrumental in organizing the hospital in Jackson, now named St. John's Medical Center.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
. The rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
was built first: in 1911 it was a hostel and community center under the supervision of Episcopal Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Nathaniel Thomas. Church services were held there until 1916, when the church was built. The church and hostel are among the largest log structures in Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole, originally called Jackson's Hole, is a valley located in the U.S. state of Wyoming, near the western border with Idaho. The name "hole" derives from language used by early trappers or mountain men, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along...
.
The rectory was the first location in Jackson to hold regular Episcopal services, beginning in 1911. Services had been held intermittently since 1908. With the construction of the new church in 1916 the rectory was used as a hostel so that ranchers and lodgers at dude ranch
Dude ranch
The guest ranch, also known as a dude ranch, is a type of ranch oriented towards visitors or tourism. It is considered a form of agritourism.-History:...
es more than a day's travel distant could stay overnight. The rectory was also used as a meeting place and social hall, and eventually as a community library with over 1000 volumes. The rectory is a 1-1/2 story building, featuring carefully built log dormers.
The 1916 church was built by Butch and Ed Robinson of Jackson, using logs cut and cured by George and Clarence Blain, with finish work by master carpenter Raul A. Imeson. The church and rectory were designed using the locally prevailing rustic
National Park Service Rustic
National Park Service rustic, also colloquially known as Parkitecture, is a style of architecture that arose in the United States National Park System to create buildings that harmonized with their natural environment. Since its founding, the National Park Service consistently has sought to provide...
style that was becoming popular for dude ranches and park structures. The church measures approximately 60 feet (18.3 m) by 24 feet (7.3 m), covered with an open log-trussed roof. This building is now referred to as a chapel, since a new, larger church was built in 1995.
The site also includes a 1950s rectory and a frame parish hall, both considered non-contributing structures.
St. John's Church operates the Chapel of the Transfiguration
Chapel of the Transfiguration
The Chapel of the Transfiguration is a small log chapel in Grand Teton National Park, in the community of Moose. The chapel was sited and built to frame a view of the Cathedral Group of peaks in a large window behind the altar. The chapel, which was built in 1925, is owned and operated by St...
in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
. The church was instrumental in organizing the hospital in Jackson, now named St. John's Medical Center.
External links
- St. John's Episcopal Church website
- Photographs of St. John's at the National Park Service's NRHP database
- St. John's Episcopal Church and Rectory at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office