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The Cataldo Mission
Also known as Mission of the Sacred Heart or the Old Mission, the Cataldo Mission is the oldest standing building in Idaho. It was built-in 1850 by Father Anthony Ravalli with the help of the surrounding Coeur d'Alene Indian tribe. The mission itself started when Jesuit priest Father Pierre Jean De Smet visited the Idaho Indians in 1840. After his arrival, several other Jesuit priests followed and began teaching the natives. -
Mission Point
In 1842, Father Nicholas Point started teaching the Coeur d'Alene Indians. By 1843, a mission was established on the St. Joe River. However, it was only used for three short years. Due to persistent flooding, a new location was chosen, and the mission was moved. -
New Location
The new location was a small hill, overlooking the Coeur d'Alene River. Here, Father Joseph Joset built a rough, temporary building out of bark. The building was used until 1850 when a permanent and more elaborate church was built. -
Under Construction
Father Anthony Ravalli was called in from a nearby mission in St. Mary Montana to help design and construct a new church. Ravalli along with Brother Huybrechts and the nearby Coeur d’Alene tribe, used broadaxes, a penknife, an auger, some ropes and pulleys and whipsaw. The building contained no nails and was constructed using the wattle and daub method, twigs and sticks interwoven with mud or clay. The process took three years and was completed in 1853. -
Completion
The church was completed using a mixture of baroque and Greek revival styles. The front portico was held up by six columns. The inside contained an altar and two statues that were hand-carved and painted to imitate marble by Ravalli. Above the altar is a half-dome ceiling painted white with green and gold trimming. Pieces of cloth were used to decorate the walls. There’s a depiction of the sacred heart above the front door, also painted by Ravalli. -
Stop Along the Way
Around 1859, Lieutenant John Mullen built the Mullen road, connecting Fort Benton Missouri to Walla Walla Washington. During construction, the mission was used as a base camp for workers. Once completed, it became a stopping point for military expeditions and weary travelers. -
Changing Boundaries
When boundaries for the Coeur d’Alene reservation were being redrawn, the US government decided to exclude the mission. Claiming it belonged to the Jesuits, not the Indians. The exclusion became difficult for the tribe, as it had become a significant part of their lives. -
Sacred Heart Mission Moves Again
To better accommodate the Coeur d'Alene tribe, the Sacred Heart Mission was moved once again. DeSmet Idaho, an area inside the reservation, was selected for the third and final location. The move lead to the abandonment of the old Cataldo mission. -
Restoration
Efforts to restore the abandoned mission took place in 1928 and 1973. In 1928-1929 money was raised to fix broken windows, restore the pillars, level the floor, and replace the siding. In 1973 an archeological investigation into surrounding artifacts and foundation stability took place, as well as a full restoration of the exterior and interior. Today, the building is used as a museum and the land around it has become known as Old Mission State Park.
