church schools. Blessed with good health, an even temper, and great organizing
ability, he pushed the work of his church for a longer and unbroken service of
years than any other priest or preacher at the head of church work, save only that
of the Methodist leader, William Roberts. Other ministers have lived longer and
worked longer, but they were not at the head of affairs and did not bear the
responsibilities which bore down on Roberts and Blanchet for more than a gen-
eration of men. It was Francis Norbert Blanchet, who practically laid the foun-
dations of Catholicism in all the country west of the Rocky mountains and north
of California.
Another priest and co-worker with Archbishop Blanchet deserves to be re- membered as one of the most effective workers the church ever had in Portland. "Father" Fierens, as he was affectionately remembered, was about the most force- ful, effective and popular priest that ever served the church in this city. And it is a little singular that the name of this faithful priest is not found in any of the histories of Oregon. With a bluff exterior and rather brusque manners, he was possibly not very popular with college bred gentlemen. But under that exterior, beat one of the warmest hearts, and most honest hearts that ever gave life to a noble and conscientious man. It was his labor that built up the great Catholic congregation on Stark street between Second and Third, where it seemed some- times, when Fierens preached, that half of the population of the town went to hear him. He served the church at a period in its life in this city, when "the laborers were few," and being a big man in every way, a great load was laid on his shoulders. It was to his credit that he carried it without a murmur, without money and without price ; and by his hearty good will to both Protestant and Catholic, extended the power and influence of the church in Portland as no other priest ever did before or since.
ARCHBISHOP CHRISTIE.
Pre-eminently noteworthy among the prelates who have served the Catholic church in Portland is the present archbishop, Most Rev. Alexander Christie. Writing of the tenth anniversary of his rule and service in the diocese of Oregon City, a fellow churchman admirer of the archbishop's truthfully says :
"There are anniversaries of men and institutions which serve merely to call attention to the flight of years; which recall no achievement of more than momen- tary importance ; not of this kind is the tenth anniversary of Archbishop Christie in his metropolitan see. The decade of years that has elapsed since his coming to Oregon has been filled with achievement. He has built broadly and securely on the foundation laid by his zealous and saintly predecessors and the pioneer clergy.
His epoch will be known as the building epoch of the Catholic church in this arch diocese. New parishes have been erected and manned with an able clergy. Churches, schools, hospitals, homes, orphanages and other institutions in great numbers have been built and equipped under his direction. It is a common place among the people of the northwest that new comers are more apt than our old residents to see the growth that must come to this region. Certainly, Arch- bishop Christie, from the very beginning of his residence among us, was aware of what his new home is destined to be, and he made plans in accordance with his vision of the future. Throughout his extensive diocese he had anticipated the needs of the coming time, and has persuaded his people to make ready for the great Catholic population that is to be here. In buying land and in planning buildings, he has looked beyond immediate needs, and already his optimistic judg- ment has been more than justified in a score of communities."
The archbishop has taken a leading position of influence in public morals and civic improvements, as well as the leaderships of his church from his very advent to this city. More than any other churchman, it is in the power of the archbishop to wield a mighty influence for the public welfare. His high positio
