St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church facts for kids
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St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church
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 St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church
Location in Montana
St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3497 Montana Highway 284 Townsend, Montana |
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| Built by | Thomas Howell |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001339 |
| Added to NRHP | November 5, 1998 |
St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church is a special historical building in Townsend, Montana. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important place worth protecting. This church was added to the Register on November 5, 1998.
Even though it started as a Catholic church, the building is now a museum. It is known today as the Canton Church Historic Site. Visitors can learn about its past and see what life was like long ago.
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History of St. Joseph's Church
The St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church was built a long time ago, between 1875 and 1876. This makes it a very old building in Montana. It is special because it's the oldest church building of its kind still standing in the state.
Unique Building Style
The church has a unique design called Colonial Style architecture. This style was popular in early American buildings. In 1902, a bell tower and steeple were added to the church. These additions changed its look a little, but the original Colonial design features were kept.
Moving the Church Building
In 1954, something very interesting happened to the church. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation moved the entire building to its current spot. They did this to save the church from being torn down. Moving such a large building was a big project! It shows how important this historical church was considered.
Visiting the Canton Church Historic Site
Today, the former St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church welcomes visitors as the Canton Church Historic Site. It serves as a museum, helping people understand the history of the area. You can explore the building and imagine what it was like when it was an active church.
