Claude-Jean Allouez facts for kids

A memorial in Niles, Michigan, honors Father Allouez.

Claude Jean Allouez was a French Jesuit missionary and explorer. He lived from 1622 to 1689. He traveled across North America, setting up many missions. These missions helped teach Christianity to the Native American people near Lake Superior.

Early Life and Training

Claude Jean Allouez was born on June 6, 1622. His hometown was Saint-Didier-en-Velay in France. In 1639, he finished college. He then joined the Jesuits in Toulouse, France. The Jesuits are a group of Catholic priests.

In 1655, Allouez became a Catholic priest. Three years later, in 1658, he arrived in Quebec. This area was then called New France. He quickly started learning Native American languages. He studied Wyandot and Anishinaabe. This helped him prepare to work as a missionary. He wanted to serve the tribes living along the Saint Lawrence River.

Missionary Work Begins

In 1660, Father Allouez became the leader of the mission in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. He stayed there for three years. In 1663, he received an important new role. He was named vicar general for a large area. This area is now part of the central United States. Bishop François de Laval gave him this job. Laval was the first bishop of New France.

From 1665 to 1669, Allouez traveled widely. He visited many western missions. In 1667, he visited the Nipissing Indians. They had moved there to escape attacks. He held the first Mass beside the Nipigon River on May 29, 1667. After this, he went back to Quebec to find more helpers. He then returned to his missions.

Founding New Missions

On December 3, 1669, Father Allouez held the first Mass in Oconto, Wisconsin. He worked as a missionary for the Potawatomi people. The Menominee people also started trading furs and becoming Christians. The next year, he worked with the Meskwaki tribe. He started St. Mark's Mission for them. He also founded St. James Mission for the Miami and Mascouten Indians. Later that year, he returned to Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Allouez was very good at speaking Native American languages. The tribes respected him greatly. In Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, he was a main speaker at a big ceremony. This event officially claimed the Great Lakes and Mississippi River valley for the King of France.

In 1671, he founded the St. Francis Xavier Mission. This mission was located at the last rapids on the Fox River. This spot was known as Rapides Des Pères, meaning "rapids of the fathers." Today, this place is De Pere, Wisconsin.

Later Years and Legacy

The St. Francis Xavier Mission became Father Allouez's main base. Then, news arrived that Jacques Marquette had died. Allouez was asked to continue Marquette's work. This work was among the Illinois tribes. In February 1676, he traveled toward Lake Michigan. His companions even put a sail on their canoe to travel over the ice! By March, he was at Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He reached Kaskaskia, Illinois by the end of the month.

Father Allouez continued to teach Christianity to the Native Americans. He did this until his death in 1689. He passed away near what is now Niles, Michigan. This is just north of South Bend, Indiana. He is buried in Niles.

Many of Father Allouez's writings have been saved. They give us a lot of information about the missions of that time. They also provide an important record of the Catholic Church in the middle of America. His writings also contain the first detailed accounts of the Illinois Indians. It is believed that he baptized around 10,000 people.

Places Named After Allouez

Many places are named after Father Claude Jean Allouez, honoring his work:

• The village of Allouez, Wisconsin, near Green Bay
• Allouez Trail on Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan
• Claude Allouez Bridge over the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin
• Allouez Bay near the mouth of the St. Louis River in Superior, Wisconsin
• Allouez neighborhood of Superior, Wisconsin, located on Allouez Bay
• Allouez Township, Michigan in Keweenaw County, Michigan
• The small community of Allouez in Allouez Township, Michigan
• Allouez Auto Repair in Superior, WI
• Allouez Amber Ale by Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, WI
• Father Allouez School in Allouez, WI