St. Ignatius Mission - St. Ignatius, MT - Unique Steeples on Waymarking.com

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St. Ignatius Mission - St. Ignatius, MT

in Unique Steeples

Posted by:  T0SHEA

11T E 718909 N 5244209

This steeple stands above a beautifully appointed church, St. Ignatius Mission. The mission was sufficiently influential in the area that the town of St. Ignatius grew up around it.

This is a rather different steeple in that the tower terminates with a flat roof slightly above the peak of the building's roof. Atop that is a relatively tiny open wooden lantern which houses the bell and is finished by a pyramidal roof with a cross atop.

We assume that the steeple and the bell within are original to the church, though this may not be the case. The bell is, to our knowledge, still used to call the flock to mass each Sunday. This church, unfortunately, is sufficiently large and high as to preclude the taking of photos with clarity adequate to allow the maker of the bell to be ascertained.

This church, dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, was built in 1891. In 1840, Fr. Peter DeSiviet came to Montana in response to the request of four separate delegations of Indians, and in 1841, he established St. Mary's Mission at Stevensville.

In 1854, St. Ignatius Mission was founded to serve the religious and educational needs of the Salish and Kootenai people. Father Hoecken and his Jesuit helpers built the original log cabin which still stands on the north side of this church. Within 35 years the mission included a large school, a sawmill, printing press, flour mill, hospital, farm and the present church.
The renowned murals in this church were painted by Br. Joseph Carignan, S.J., the mission cook.

In 1973, this mission was declared a National Historic Site.
From a sign at the Mission

Lake County's oldest town, founded in 1854 by Jesuit Missionaries, is home of the St. Ignatius Mission. St. Ignatius had the first residence school for Indians, first hospital, first saw mill, and first flour mill in the state.

The St. Ignatius Mission is over 100 years old and a visitor's delight. This beautiful landmark was built with local materials by Indians and missionaries in 1891. The million bricks were made with local clay, the lumber was cut in nearby foothills and the striking interior murals were designed and painted by brother Joseph Carignano. The 58 frescoes and murals on the church ceiling are worthy of European cathedrals. The St. Ignatius Church is open daily to visitors.