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Rev.
J. P. Buck
Father Buck was born in a little log
cabin located on the banks of the Minnesota River. His parents were
both Presbyterians and he was raised in a strict Calvinistic home. It
was after he had joined the Catholic Church that he decided to serve the
Lord as a priest. He attended the St. John Seminary in Collegeville,
Minnesota, and later transferred to Mt. Angel Seminary.
In 1909 Father Buck was appointed as
the first resident pastor of the St. Philip's Parish, Forest Grove, by the
Most Rev. Archbishop Christie. The name of the parish was changed from
St. Philip's to St. Anthony's by Father Buck at the request of the Catholic
Extension Society, through which organization Father Buck received a large
donation toward the cost of building a new church. During Father
Buck's pastorate in Forest Grove, he was instrumental in building churches
in Forest Grove, Cornelius and Gaston.
Father Buck served St. Anthony's of
Forest Grove and the attached missions of Cornelius and Seghers (located 3
miles east of Gaston). A few years later, a chapel was built in Gaston
with funds received from the Extension Society. In 1910, the mission
of St. Alexander and in 1912, the mission of St. John had become attached to
the Forest Grove Parish.
When he was first appointed pastor in
Forest Grove, a census of Catholics disclosed seven families - three of
which were mixed marriages.
He served the Forest Grove parish for
8 years and was then assigned to the St. Joseph's Church in Salem.
During his pastorate in Forest Grove he was assisted by the Holy Cross
Fathers.
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