<Begin Segment 15>

KL: What else do you, what are your other memories of the Christian community in Jerome?

MU: Christian, we started two churches shortly after the funeral. We had one missionary leader that was, was a wonderful person. He had been in Japan for a number of years, and he was very understanding, very compassionate, and so going to church for the first time, I thought, "If that's what a Christian is, I want to be one." And so my first impression of the church and Christianity was through this particular missionary, and it was very wonderful.

KL: What was that person's name?

MU: Dr. Maxwell Garrett.

KL: And did you say you set up two churches, or there were two leaders in Jerome?

MU: Huh?

KL: You said that there were two congregations, or two leaders in Jerome?

MU: No, it was just one congregation. There were a number of ministers, because they came from southern Cal. The biggest group was from southern California, and we had several Christian ministers from this area, Fresno area.

KL: Are there others besides Dr. Garrett who made a strong impression on you or that you remember being leaders in Jerome?

MU: He was, well, there were other ministers that led, Japanese ministers. But he was the only Caucasian minister.

KL: Did any of the Japanese ministers make a strong impression on you, or do you remember other people who stand out?

MU: No, no. And I was new to Christianity, too.

KL: Did you have a particular role in the congregation?

MU: Did I what?

KL: Did you have a particular role in the congregation?

MU: No, no.

KL: What were the services like?

MU: It was in English. It was all new to me. We...

KL: Was there any guidance...

MU: Any what?

KL: I mean, I always wonder what it was like to be a minister when you have to lead a congregation through having to, being told to leave their homes or being incarcerated in this situation. Do you remember there being sort of any guidance or any message, any ideas for coping or for how to live?

MU: I don't recall, but I'm sure there were messages that would comfort and help us get settled in the new situation.

<End Segment 15> - Copyright © 2014 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.