Modeste Demers

Modeste Demers arrived in the Oregon Territory in 1838.

Modeste Demers (1809–1871) was a Roman Catholic Bishop and missionary in the Oregon Country. A native of Quebec, he traveled overland to the Pacific Northwest and preached in the Willamette Valley and later in what would become British Columbia.

In 1838, Demers arrived with Blanchet in the Willamette Valley of what would become the U.S. state of Oregon. Demers quickly became immersed in the work with the local trading post staff and the Chinookan nation. For the Chinooks, he quickly learned the language and worked on a dictionary, a catechism, a prayer book, and hymns in that language. In 1844, he became the first priest at Oregon City.

Links

• Ancestors of Mgr Modeste Demers
• Modeste Demers (1809-1871)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modeste_Demers