Truckee Catholic church celebrates 150th anniversary alongside Transcontinental Railroad
In 1868, the Central Pacific railroad completed the Transcontinental Railroad line over the Sierra Nevada into Colburn’s Station, a small town now known as Truckee.
Many workers on the railroad were Irish immigrant Catholics. These workers were served by circuit-riding priests in what was called the Railroad Line Parish.
Father John Mevel, a Frenchman, was assigned to serve the Railroad Line and in March, 1869 he gathered support from the citizens of Truckee to build a church.
On Aug. 15, 1869, Mass was celebrated in the new church at the Feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church became known as the Assumption Church which served the Irish, Italian and Portuguese Catholics in the area.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church will have a very special Mass on Aug. 15, 2019; celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Church’s service to Truckee. Special Celebrant will be the Hon. Bishop Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Sacramento Dioceses.
The Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. with a special blessing of a new 15 foot bronze statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Music will be provided by the Truckee Tahoe Community Choir accompanied by a small orchestra. Following the Mass will be a reception and the raffle of a new Subaru.
Visit http://www.assumptiontruckee.com for information.
150th anniversary celebration of the Transcontinental Railroad comes to Truckee
150th anniversary of Transcontinental Railroad kicks off in Truckee
Bill Oudegeest: The meaning of the Transcontinental Railroad
Theodore Judah: Engineering visionary for the Transcontinental Railroad
HISTORY: The Chinese Transcontinental Railroad
A city within a city: Truckee’s Chinatown
California’s first lager: Boca Beer
Snowsheds: Protection for not just trains over Donner
150 years of railroad snow removal in the Sierra
Other uses for snowsheds over Donner
Getting on track: Transcontinental train travel opened the West to all
Truckee Catholic church celebrates 150th anniversary alongside Transcontinental Railroad
In for the long haul: Looking back, forward at locomotives in the Sierra
Support Local Journalism


Support Local Journalism
Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: Moderator
Trusted User