Holy Family Mission (Glacier County, Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Holy Family Mission
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Browning, Montana |
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| Area | 44 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1886 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003170 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1982 |
The Holy Family Mission is a historic place located east of Browning, Montana in Glacier County, Montana. It was started in 1886 and officially opened its doors in 1890. For 53 years, it was a very important center for the Catholic faith on the Blackfeet Reservation. The mission was run by a group of priests called the Jesuits.
In 1982, the Holy Family Mission was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special place that's important to the history of the United States. When it was listed, it included eight main buildings, one other structure, and the land itself.
Contents
What is a Mission?
A mission, in this sense, is a place where religious groups, like the Jesuits, lived and worked. They often built churches, schools, and homes. Their goal was to share their faith and sometimes to provide education and other services to local communities. The Holy Family Mission was created to serve the people of the Blackfeet Nation.
History of the Mission Buildings
When the Holy Family Mission was first listed as a historic place, it had several important buildings. These buildings helped the mission serve the community for many years.
Original Structures and Their Purpose
- Mission Church: The main church building was constructed in 1937. This was where people gathered for religious services.
- Dormitories: There were separate dormitories for boys and girls. These were built in 1895 and 1898. They were tall buildings, about two and a half stories high. These dorms likely housed students who attended schools at the mission.
- Bakery: A bakery was added in 1937. It was connected to the girls' dormitory. This suggests the mission might have baked its own bread or taught baking skills.
- Barns: The site also had two barns. One of them had a partial concrete foundation, which was quite modern for its time. Barns were important for keeping animals or storing supplies.
- Outbuildings: There were four smaller wooden buildings with shingled roofs. These could have been used for various purposes, like storage or workshops.
- Cemetery: An important part of the mission was its cemetery. It covered about seven acres of land. The oldest marked graves in the cemetery date back to the 1890s. This shows that the mission had been a part of the community for a long time.
The Mission Today
Over the years, some of the original buildings at the Holy Family Mission have changed or are no longer there. Today, only a few parts of the original historic site remain.
What Remains Today
- Mission Church: The church building from 1937 is still standing. It continues to be a central part of the site.
- One Barn: One of the original barns is still present.
- Cemetery: The historic cemetery, with its old grave markers, is also still there. It reminds us of the many people connected to the mission over the decades.
In addition to these historic structures, there have been some newer additions. Three mobile homes have been placed on the site, connected by brick pathways. These newer additions show how the site has continued to evolve over time.
