IDENTIFIED CHURCHES

Notice: Whenever possible the paintings have been supplied with specific information as for title, year, size, and material used as well as Barks' unique coding number. For example, the code 3-66 means that the painting was the 3rd one finished in 1966.

 

 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
308 East Acacia Avenue, Hemet
           

Barks painted the church with gouache on illustration board in 1966 and titled it Episcopal Church, Hemet, Cal. Size 190x165mm (7.5x6.5"). The photo in the middle was taken by Barks.

 

UNITY VALLEY CHURCH
140 N Buena Vista St, Hemet
           

Barks painted the church with acrylic on illustration board in 1966 and titled it Unity Church, Hemet. Size 250x210mm (10x8").

 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH
875 E Acacia Ave, Hemet
           
                 
           

Barks painted the church 5 times with acrylic on illustration board in 1966 and titled them slightly different; Christian Science Church, Hemet Calif. and First Church of Christ Scientist are examples. Sizes are 190x140mm (7.5x5.5"). The paintings were probably made en suite as they received the numbers 3-66 through 7-66, and it is clear to see that Barks' intention was to experiment with different lightings and colours. Notice that the paintings presumably were made during the winter season because of the leafless trees in the background except for the last one, which Barks 'dressed up' with summer season trees.

 

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
191 S Columbia Street, Hemet
             
                 
           

Barks painted the church with watercolour on paper in 1966 and titled it Trinity Lutheran Church, Hemet Calif. Size 190x140mm (7.5x5.5").

 

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
425 N Kirby Street, Hemet
           

Barks painted the church with oil on illustration board in 1966. The leftmost is titled Church of Later Day Saints and measures 250x210mm (10x8"), and is probably made during the first months of the year, while the rightmost is titled 19-66 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hemet, California and measures 210x170mm (8.5x6.5"). According to the trees' appearances the paintings were probably made within months apart.
Although all of the churches have undergone some structural changes, this church has changed much over the years. The most remarkable may be that the bell tower is no longer present. It has been replaced with a steeple next to the building.

 

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
125 E el Alameda, Palm Springs

Barks painted the church in 1966 and titled it 30-66 St. Paul's Episcopal. Size 250x210mm (10x8"). The church is situated in Palm Springs just northeast of Hemet.

 

ST. JOSEF'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
(23600 Soboba Rd, San Jacinto)
           
                 
           
                 
           

Barks painted the church twice in 1966. The leftmost painting was made with oil on illustration board and titled 6-66 Soboba Indian Church and measures 190x140mm (7.5x5.5"), while the rightmost was made with watercolour on illustration board and measures 225x180mm (9x7").
It is clear that Barks must have had a special affinity for the motif judged from the number of sketches he made and this comes as no surprise. Barks was very interested in the region's folklore and especially the native Indians - here the Soboban tribe just outside Hemet - were in focus. Later on Barks made multiple paintings featuring the Indians themselves. It is entirely plausible that Barks was focussed on this particular old Spanish-style mission church for many years; already in his 1951 story
FC0328 In Old California! he drew a mission church which very much resembles the last sketch!
Sadly, the church is long gone.

 

 

 

http://www.cbarks.dk/thechurchesa.htm   Date 2009-03-02