St. Mary's Mission (Kansas) facts for kids
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St. Mary's Mission was a special place founded in 1847 by a group called the Jesuits. It was built along the famous Oregon Trail, a path many pioneers used to travel west. A few years later, in 1857, the Pottawatomie Indian Pay Station was built nearby. This station was used by government agents to give money to the Potawatomi people. The Potawatomi had moved to this area from the Great Lakes region. The city of St. Marys, Kansas grew up around this important mission.
During the 1800s and 1900s, many Native American children went to mission schools. At St. Mary's, parents chose to send their children to the school. The sisters and priests at the mission made sure to teach the students in English, French, and even in the Potawatomi language. They wanted to help the students keep their culture alive.
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What Was St. Mary's Mission?
St. Mary's Mission was started by the Jesuits, who are a group of Catholic priests and brothers. They came to the area that is now Kansas in 1847. Their goal was to help the Potawatomi people who had moved there. The mission offered a school and a church. It became a central part of life for many people in the area.
The Potawatomi People and the Mission
The Potawatomi are a Native American tribe with a rich history. They originally lived near the Great Lakes. Over time, they were asked by the government to move to new lands, including parts of Kansas. When they arrived, St. Mary's Mission was there to support them. The mission school was important for the children. It taught them new skills while also respecting their heritage.
Learning at the Mission School
At the school, students learned many subjects. The teachers were sisters and priests. They believed it was important for the children to learn English and French. But they also made sure to teach in the Potawatomi language. This helped the children stay connected to their traditions and language. It showed that the mission wanted to help them keep their culture strong.
The Pottawatomie Indian Pay Station
Close to the mission was the Pottawatomie Indian Pay Station. This building was very important for the Potawatomi people. It was where government agents would come to give them money. This money was part of agreements made between the tribe and the government. The station was built in 1857 and helped manage these payments.
Why Was the Pay Station Needed?
The pay station was needed because the Potawatomi people had given up their lands in other areas. In return, the government agreed to pay them an annuity. An annuity is like a regular payment. The pay station was a safe and official place for these payments to happen. It was a key part of how the government interacted with the Potawatomi tribe at that time.
St. Mary's Mission in Pop Culture
St. Mary's Mission is even featured in a popular video game! It is one of the places you can stop in the game Oregon Trail II. This game lets players experience what it was like to travel west on the Oregon Trail. Seeing the mission in the game helps players learn about its history.
See also
- List of Jesuit sites
