Welcoming the Light

A Hundred Years of Easter Sunrise in The Dalles

By W.B. Eric M. Young, District Deputy No. 7

For the last 100 years Wasco Lodge No. 15 has organized and sponsored the sunrise service. An outdoor service at 6:30 a.m. in The Dalles, Ore. can be a chilly experience. Th is year, the sun came up and shined upon our Grand Master, Brothers of Wasco Lodge and those assembled for the early morning church service. There were about 80 people in attendance.

M.W.B. Craig A. Sipp, Grand Master, climbed the steps to the speaking platform and welcomed the worshippers assembled for the Easter service. His remarks included a brief history of Masonry in the area and of course how we are Pioneering Masonry Forward.

The Easter Service was delivered by Rev. Richard Lafever from the Gateway Church in The Dalles.

Pulpit Rock and the Tapestry of Oregon's Past

The historical significance of Pulpit Rock in The Dalles traces back to its origins as a natural worship site for early Christian missionaries in the Oregon Territory. Established in 1838 by Reverend HKW Perkins and the Reverends Daniel and Jason Lee, the Wascopam Mission found a foothold among the local Native American tribes, utilizing Pulpit Rock as a primary preaching location. Despite the challenges of the time, including eruptions of Mount St. Helens and the arrival of large wagon trains along the Oregon Trail, the mission persevered, fostering goodwill between settlers and indigenous peoples.

Over the years, Pulpit Rock witnessed numerous camp meetings and gatherings, where Reverend Daniel Lee eloquently delivered God's words to attentive listeners from various tribes. His linguistic prowess, coupled with genuine empathy, earned the trust and respect of Native Americans like Chief White Swan, who testified to the missionary's profound impact.

As the Methodist Mission ebbed and flowed with the tides of history, Pulpit Rock endured as a symbol of faith and community. Today, it stands as the sole remnant of a bygone era, designated a Methodist Historical Site. The annual Easter Sunrise Service, organized by the local Masonic Lodge since 1924 and later joined by the Mid-Columbia Fellowship of Churches, continues to honor this rich heritage. Let us cherish Pulpit Rock as a testament to the enduring power of faith and fellowship.