MOUNT HOOD, Ore. — In this week's Let's Get Out There, we head to the foot of Mount Hood, where history is hidden in the trees. Mike Gudge has spent the better part of four decades working on a monumental project he's now ready to share with the public.
You’ll find out there’s more in the forest when you choose to immerse yourself in it. Of the trees, and among the trees, the 1937 Steiner Log Church in Welches, Oregon, is a bit of hidden history.
“Forty-six years to get it to this stage,” said Mike Gudge, who owns the church, a log cabin structure built by Henry Steiner and his sons, John and Fred, in 1937.
Consider it Oregon’s newest historical destination. Built the same year as the iconic Timberline Lodge and Silcox Hut, the church rounds out a trinity of historical buildings near Mount Hood.
PHOTOS: Inside the historic Steiner Log Church
Gudge took ownership in 1976 when the church was located elsewhere. Due to highway widening, it was due to be torn down unless somebody moved it, which Gudge did.
“It was an absolute nightmare,” he recalled, as he spoke about the logistical troubles of moving a huge, 200,000-pound cabin through the narrow roads to his property a few miles from Highway 26.
During transport, one of the eaves had to be cut to get the church between a tree and telephone pole. Gudge said just about everything that could have gone wrong did — including the church almost tipping over a bridge.
But Gudge said the headache to move it was worthwhile.
“It was a magnificent, fascinating building to start with. That's why I was intrigued with it. It was in quite disrepair; there was a lot of rot, and I just wanted to bring it back to what it was,” he said.
For 47 years, Gudge restored the church with John Steiner, son of Henry, and many others. Restoration included making much-needed repairs and installing electricity and plumbing while keeping the original historical roots intact.
Mike Westby handles marketing for the 1937 Steiner Log Church. Like Gudge, he also has a strong handle on its history.
“All of this is hand peeled,” Westby said, running his hand along a smooth, wooden railing. “You'll notice that the steps are half-rounds, which is easier than building a riser step and then they're always attached to the opposite side.”
“It's so iconic because it's quite a masterpiece,” added Gudge.
Trademark characteristics of Steiner’s construction are apparent throughout: the wagon wheel design over the entryway, each railing with an offset ‘X’ and the doorknobs made of Christmas trees.
“When you twist it on the back, it turns another piece of the latch that's made out of wood and a root from a tree,” Westby demonstrated.
Gudge considers his work on the church complete. Now, it’s time for him to share it with everyone: The 1937 Steiner Log Church is open for tours on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $10; students, seniors and military are $8.
“My entire intent all these years was to share the building and the restoration through events, tours. Anyway, I could bring people in to appreciate what's been done here,” Gudge said. “This is the Steiner legacy that I've been able to create, and it will be my legacy, my swan song … I'm very, very proud of how this has come out, and all the engineering and the thinking behind it and the ingenuity. It's all been spectacular.”
You can find more information at SteinerChurch.com.
Let's Get Out there airs once a week on KGW's 4 p.m. newscast and The Good Stuff, which airs Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. We're including viewer photos for this series. You can text your photos to 503-226-5088 or post them on the KGW Facebook page.