Old Mission State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coeur d'Alene's Old MissionState Park |
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The Sacred Heart Church
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 Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission
State Park Location in Idaho
Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission
State Park Location in the United States
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| Location | Cataldo, Kootenai County, Idaho, United States |
| Nearest city | Coeur d'Alene |
| Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,139 ft (652 m) |
| Designation | Idaho state park |
| Established | 1975 |
| Administrator | Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Old Mission State Park |
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Cataldo Mission
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Apse, in 1957
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| Area | 22.9 acres (9.3 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | Antonio Ravalli |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000312 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park is a special park in North Idaho. It protects the Mission of the Sacred Heart, also called the Cataldo Mission. This mission is a National Historic Landmark. The park includes the old church, the parish house, and the land around them.
Built between 1850 and 1853, the Mission of the Sacred Heart is the oldest building still standing in Idaho. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Later, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
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History of the Old Mission
In 1831, the Nez Perce and Flathead Native American tribes wanted to learn more about the "Book of Heaven" (the Bible). They sent six men to St. Louis. Four of them made it there.
In 1842, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet came to the area to help. Father Nicholas Point and Brother Charles Huet helped him choose a place for a mission. Their first choice along the Saint Joe River flooded often. So, in 1846, they moved the mission to its current spot.
In 1850, an Italian Jesuit missionary named Antonio Ravalli took over the church. He started designing a new mission building. He wanted the Native Americans to feel like the church was theirs. So, he had them build it themselves.
The church was built using a method called wattle and daub. This means they used woven branches and mud. It took about three years to finish. Amazingly, they built the entire church without using any nails!
The mission was named after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe later renamed the area Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park. Many people locally call the mission "Cataldo" Mission. This name comes from Father Giuseppe Cataldo, a famous Sicilian priest. He spent most of his life in the area and founded Gonzaga University. The town closest to the mission is also named Cataldo, Idaho.
Over time, the mission became an important stop. It offered hospitality and supplies for traders, settlers, and miners. They traveled on the Mullan Road. It was also a busy port for boats going up the Coeur d'Alene River.
In 1976, the church went through a big restoration. This project was chosen as Idaho State's Bicentennial Project. It helped celebrate 200 years of the nation's history.
Exploring the Mission Area
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The Church Building
The builders had few materials to decorate the church. But they used very clever ideas to make it beautiful. The walls were covered with fabric bought from the Hudson's Bay Company. They also used hand-painted newspaper from Philadelphia. Father Ravalli had received this newspaper in the mail.
They used tin cans to create decorations that looked like fancy chandeliers. Father Ravalli also carved two wooden statues by hand. He used only a knife. He made them look like they were carved from marble. The blue color on the inside wood is not paint. It is a stain made by pressing local huckleberries into the wood.
The Parish House
The original parish house burned down. It was rebuilt in 1887. This building has two stories. The upstairs was used for sleeping. The downstairs was for daily activities. It also has a smaller chapel inside. This chapel was mostly used for daily Mass.
The State Park Grounds
The land around the mission is now a state park. It includes two cemeteries. There is also a nature trail for visitors to explore. A visitors center helps people learn more about the mission's history. The site became Old Mission State Park in 1975. This happened through a long-term agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise.
