Noah's Ark

Camas Couple's Dream Fulfilled with Opening of Tabernacle in Winston

News-Review, Roseburg, Sept 5, 2000

WINSTON—Life-sized, painted wooden animals tread their way up the gangway to the ark at Winston's newest tourist attraction.

The animals depict the journey they traveled to reach Noah's ark centuries ago. A dream has been fulfilled for Irvin and Shirley Thrush with the opening of Noah's Ark. It took the couple two years to build the structure, which are 300 feet long and 75 feet wide. The metal building, which has a bow and stern that resembles Noah's Ark, houses a gift shop, restaurant and wilderness tabernacle. Visitors may take the Ancient Mystery Temple tour, an excursion into the journey of the Hebrew people as they traveled to the Promised Land from Egypt.

Open seven days a week. Groups by appointment. Adults: $6.00 Seniors: $5.50 Children ages 4-12 years old $4.50 3 & under free. Special group rates.

According to scripture, during the exodus of the 12 tribes of Israel into the desert, Moses gave the people instructions on how to build a sanctuary patterned after the one in heaven.

The Thrushes created the tabernacle to the exact proportions laid out in the Bible. This is not affiliated with any church, synagogue or religious organization.

"This is the story of an ancient people who wandered in a desert wilderness," Shirley said. Inside the tabernacle is the Ark of the Covenant, made most familiar to the non-religious community in the Indiana Jones film "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

The couple, which retired to Irvin's hometown of Camas Valley, focused on detail and exact measurements throughout the building of the project. White linen curtains with 60 brass pillars surround the holy court. Upon entering the temple tour life-sized drawings cover the walls, showing the Hebrews bringing sacrifices to the sanctuary.

Visitors will see the altar of sacrifice with the fire burning, the altar of incense, the table of showbread, the Ark of the Covenant and Mt Sinai. Tour guides dress in period costume and have robes available for visitors to give the tour an authentic feel.

Shirley said, "It never could have developed without the army of volunteers who came from several states. Some have volunteered from an hour to several years. We are still looking for volunteers. God is so good in supplying all our needs! This is the only permanent sanctuary on the West Coast that we know of."

Some comments from people who have taken the tour, "It is awesome, wonderful, it brings it to life, visualize & understand the symbolism, beautiful, so informative I learned new things, very nice, it was so real, it was true to the Bible, the art work is a must see."

The couple put extensive research into the project. They completed a nationwide tour of other religious sites taking them as far as Florida. The couple said building the ark is part of their ministry. We just want to share what we know and the symbolism of things, according to the Bible.

The couple has two sons and they read to them stories of the Holy Land." My little boy wanted me to bring those stories to life" Shirley said, "and so we did."

The attraction includes an extensive gift shop with a variety of items from as far away as the Holy Land and Alaska.

In the restaurant, called Noah's Galley. Children can sit at small wooden tables and chairs or play in the 18-foot long playhouse and ride the rocking elephant or giraffe.

A sign at the restaurant reads, "To demonstrate our appreciation of Noah's hard work at saving the animals we won't serve them at our restaurant" but now it adds, (don't tell Noah but some clean meats can be served if you ask) The menu serves homemade daily specials. Outside seating on the "bow" of the ark offers visitors a view of the hills and the entrance of the Wildlife Safari just across the street.

"Thirty people came from three states to help us build that deck." Irvin Thrush said.

Noah (Irvin with the white flowing beard) welcomes you as he stops from his work building on the ark or from making his special whole wheat bread made special for you! Don't miss the boat!