Old Mission State Park

Old Mission State Park
Cataldo Mission
The Sacred Heart Church
Location: Cataldo, Idaho
Built: 1848
Architect: Antonio Ravalli
Architectural style: Greek Revival, Colonial, Other
Governing body: Private
NRHP Reference#: 66000312
Significant dates
Added to NRHP: October 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHL: July 4, 1961[2]

Old Mission State Park is a state park and National Historic Landmark in northern Idaho, USA. It is also known as the Mission of the Sacred Heart or Cataldo Mission. It contains the church itself, the parish house, and the surrounding property. Mission of the Sacred Heart is also the oldest standing building in Idaho.

Contents

History

In the early 19th century, the Coeur d'Alene Indians had heard of these powerful "medicine men" in black robes with a book and wanted some of these men for their own tribe. They sent men east to St. Louis, and in 1842 Father Pierre-Jean De Smet responded to the request and came to the area. Fr. Nicholas Point and Br. Charles Duet came and helped to pick a mission location. The first was along the St. Joe River, but was subject to flooding. In 1846, they moved it to the current location.

In 1850, the church was taken over by Antonio Ravalli, who began designing the new mission building. He made sure that the building was constructed by the Indians themselves, so that they could feel part of the church. It was built using the wattle and daub method, and was finished some three years later, without using a single nail.

In time, the mission became an important stop for traders, settlers, and miners taking on the role as a hospitality and supply station. It was also a working port for boats heading up the Coeur d'Alene River. [3]

In 1961, it was designated a National Historic Landmark,[4] and in 1966 was put on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

The mission area

Church

Example of the newspaper wallpaper and tin can metalwork

Though they had few materials to decorate the church, they used ingenious techniques to beautify it. The walls were decorated with fabric bought from the Hudson's Bay Company and hand-painted newspaper that Fr. Ravalli had received in the mail. Tin cans were used to create an idea of chandeliers. Both wooden statues were carved by hand with nothing but a knife. The blue coloring of the interior wood is not paint but a stain created by pressing local huckleberries into the wood.

Apse, in 1957

Parish house

After being burnt down, it was rebuilt in 1887. It is a two-story building, the upstairs used for sleeping quarters, and the downstairs for daily activities. It contains a smaller chapel, mostly used for daily mass.

Surrounding area

The surrounding property has two cemeteries, a nature trail, and a visitor's center.

See also

References

External links

Coordinates: 47°32′57″N 116°21′40″W / 47.54917°N 116.36111°W / 47.54917; -116.36111


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