Memorial Tree House: a place of honor

The summer wind blows gently over the Healdsburg hills. The sweet smell of dried grass rises from the warm fields. Atop a sun-parched knoll stands a 200-year old oak tree casting a wide, dappled circle of shade on the ground. In its arms is held an altar of remembrance.

The Memorial Tree house was originally built by the Society of St. Francis, whose order ran the Bishop’s Ranch retreat center from 1974 to 1984. When these Episcopal Franciscans departed, a commune of squatters called the Wind Children moved into the house. Following a period of decline, the Grace Cathedral ministry group Men of Grace renovated the tree house. It was then that a signpost was placed by the gate which reads, "Memorial Tree House: In memorial and thanksgiving for the lives of Jerry Quinlon, the Men of Grace, and their friends, October 9, 1993." Three years later, members of the Church of the Epiphany (San Carlos) performed structural improvements to the house and stairs. The most recent work was done by the Men of Grace in 2000.

The three-level structure includes the house itself, landings, and a staircase with wooden railings. The Men of Grace initially installed brass plaques along the railings in memory of friends and Cathedral congregants who had died in the AIDS epidemic. Over the years more names have been added, not all of whom have died of AIDS. At present, there are 65 plaques.

Dr. Ronald Johnson is a member of Men of Grace. He says that every year, the group makes a special pilgrimage to honor their friends and partners who have passed during the year. "At the summer work weekend last [August], plaques were installed in memory of Cathedral Verger Albert Lander and long time Men of Grace member, Bob Zinkhon. Of the total number of plaques installed, 31 are in memory of deceased Men of Grace."

In the ceiling of the tree house are painted a trio of angels. The blonde angel, with a large oval halo, smiles with serenely closed eyes above the words, "We are one." A pair of angels hold a children’s valentine heart between them, the word "Peace" hovering above the smooth red curves as they float in the pale blue sky. Bright banners flutter in the breeze, which carries their intentions for peace and harmony into the world far beyond Tree House Hill.

To arrange your visit to the Memorial Tree House, contact The Bishop’s Ranch. If you’d like to get involved with Men of Grace, and find out about the service work they do for the community, click here.

Painted angels on the ceiling of the tree house.

The Revs. Frances Tornquist and Whitney Roberson look at the memorial plaques.