Old Mission State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park
The Sacred Heart Church
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Location	Cataldo, Idaho, United States
Nearest city	Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Area	18 acres (7.3 ha)
Elevation	2,139 ft (652 m)
Established	1975
Administered by	Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Cataldo Mission
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Apse, in 1957
Area	22.9 acres (9.3 ha)
Built	1853
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 historical park in northern Idaho. It protects the Mission of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Cataldo Mission. This mission is a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's a very important place in American history.

The park includes the old church, a house for the priests, and the land around them. The Mission of the Sacred Heart was built between 1850 and 1853. It is the oldest building still standing in Idaho today! Because of its importance, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

History of the Old Mission

How the Mission Started

In 1831, the Nez Perce and Flathead people wanted to learn more about Christianity. They sent people to St. Louis to ask for help. In 1842, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet came to their area.

Father Nicholas Point and Brother Charles Huet helped choose a spot for a mission. Their first choice was near the St. Joe River, but it often flooded. So, in 1846, they moved the mission to its current, safer location.

Building the Church

An example of the newspaper wallpaper and tin can metalwork inside the mission.

In 1850, an Italian Jesuit missionary named Antonio Ravalli took charge. He designed the new mission church. He wanted the local people to feel connected to the church. So, he had them build it themselves.

The church was built using a method called wattle and daub. This means they used woven branches covered with mud and clay. Amazingly, the church was finished three years later without using any nails!

Naming the Mission

The mission was named after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The local Coeur d'Alene Tribe later named the area Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park.

Many people in the area call it the "Cataldo" Mission. This name comes from Father fr:Giuseppe Cataldo, a famous priest who lived there. He founded Gonzaga University in Spokane. The town closest to the mission is also called Cataldo.

The mission became an important stop for travelers. Traders, settlers, and miners used it as a supply station on the Mullan Road. It was also a busy port for boats traveling on the Coeur d'Alene River.

Restoring the Mission

In 1976, the church underwent a big restoration project. This project was chosen as Idaho State's special way to celebrate the United States Bicentennial. This was the 200th birthday of the United States.

Exploring the Mission Area

The Amelia Wheaton steamboat with the Old Mission in the background around 1885.

The Church Building

The inside walls of the church were decorated in unique ways. Fabric bought from the Hudson's Bay Company was used. There was also hand-painted newspaper from Philadelphia that Father Ravalli received.

To make it look fancy, tin cans were shaped to create the idea of chandeliers. Father Ravalli even carved two wooden statues himself with a knife. He made them look like they were made of marble. The blue color on the interior wood came from pressed huckleberries.

The Parish House

The original parish house burned down. It was rebuilt in 1887. This building has two floors. The upstairs was used as sleeping quarters for the priests. It also has a smaller chapel, which was mainly used for daily Mass.

The State Park Grounds

The land around the mission is now a state park. It includes two cemeteries and a peaceful nature trail. There is also a visitors center where you can learn more about the mission's history. The site officially became Old Mission State Park in 1975. This happened through an agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise.

See also

• List of the oldest churches in the United States
• List of National Historic Landmarks in Idaho
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kootenai County, Idaho
• List of Idaho state parks
• List of Jesuit sites
• National Parks in Idaho