Cataldo in Kootenai County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Old Mission of the Sacred Heart

Photographed By Lila Diller, November 23, 2009

1. Old Mission of the Sacred Heart Marker

Inscription. Opened for services in 1853, this is the oldest building in Idaho.

Black-robed Jesuits founded the mission on the St. Joe River in 1842, but moved here in 1846 and raised this imposing building in a complete wilderness. Dwellings and outbuildings are now gone, and the mission moved to Desmet in 1877, but the Mass is still celebrated here every year. (Marker Number 144.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 47° 33.082′ N, 116° 21.483′ W. Marker is in Cataldo, Idaho, in Kootenai County. Marker is on Dredge Road near Interstate 90. In Old Mission Park, off exit 39. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cataldo ID 83810, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dug-Out Canoe (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Village (about 600 feet away); Main Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Mullan Military Road (about 600 feet away); Old Mission Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mission Landing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grist Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cataldo.

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Old Mission of the Sacred Heart image. Click for full size.

Paul J. F. Schumacher, Library of Congress, 1957

2. Old Mission of the Sacred Heart

3. Old Mission of the Sacred Heart

Idaho State Parks and Recreation

Earlier version of the Old Mission of the Sacred Heart Marker image. Click for full size.

William C. Everheart, Library of Congress, 1958

4. Earlier version of the Old Mission of the Sacred Heart Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2010, by Lila Diller of Statesville, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,510 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2010, by Lila Diller of Statesville, North Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.