Photograph of Andrew Stenstrom, a lumberjack sky pilot and primitive painter, painting souvenir items in his Bemidji studio c.1940.

Andrew Stenstrom

Photograph of Andrew Stenstrom, a lumberjack sky pilot and primitive painter, painting souvenir items in his Bemidji studio, c.1940.

Photograph of Reverend John Sornberger, a lumberjack sky pilot, preaching c.1930.

Reverend John Sornberger

Photograph of Reverend John Sornberger, a lumberjack sky pilot, preaching, c.1930.

Photograph of a gathering of people on the banks of the upper Mississippi River for a prayer meeting conducted by Reverend John Sornberger c.1910.

John Sornberger and assembly

Photograph of a gathering of people on the banks of the upper Mississippi River for a prayer meeting conducted by Reverend John Sornberger, c.1910.

Photograph of Frank Higgins preaching to a group of lumberjacks in a bunkhouse c.1910.

Frank Higgins

Photograph of Frank Higgins preaching to a group of lumberjacks in a bunkhouse, c.1910.

Photograph of a small congregation of lumberjacks assembled inside a bunkhouse to hear sky pilot Frank Higgins preach c.1910.

Lumberjack assembly

Photograph of a small congregation of lumberjacks assembled inside a bunkhouse to hear sky pilot Frank Higgins preach, c.1910.

Photograph of men waving to Frank Higgins, the lumberjack sky pilot, outside a lumber camp c.1910.

Frank Higgins

Photograph of men waving to Frank Higgins, the lumberjack sky pilot, outside a lumber camp, c.1910.

Poster promoting a lecture by Francis "Frank" E. Higgins, the lumberjack sky pilot, c.1909.

Frank E. Higgins poster

Poster promoting a lecture by Francis "Frank" E. Higgins, the lumberjack sky pilot, c.1909.

Black-and-white paper poster advertising a lecture appearance by Frank E. Higgings, c.1909.

Frank Higgins poster

Black-and-white paper poster advertising a lecture appearance by Frank E. Higgings, c.1909.

Lumberjack Sky Pilots

Working as a lumberjack in northern Minnesota was a difficult job with poor living conditions. Many loggers blew off steam by drinking, gambling, or visiting brothels. "Sky pilots," or visiting ministers, tried to save the men's souls and put them on the road to holiness rather than vice.

Painting of Father Louis Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony, 1680

Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony, 1680

Painting of Father Louis Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony in 1680. Painted c. 1903 by J. N. Marchand.

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