Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
From The Ashes
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021
1. From The Ashes Marker
Captions: (upper center) Bishop George Finnegan and Gov. John Erickson presided over the laying of the cornerstone for the new St. Mary's church Dec. 20, 1931. More than 5,000 people attended the dedication.; (bottom left) The interior of the new church with creche on the far right and a shrine to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on the left, is seen here. The shrine was first erected in the basement of the church in May 1932 and moved upstairs when the new church was dedicated.; (bottom right) The Rose Window above the choir loft represents several different designations of Mary found in the Litany of Loreto. The crown and the lilies at the top of the window represent May, Queen Assumed into Heaven.; A list of clergy who served at St. Mary's Church is found around the perimeter.
The building across the street its the second St. Mary's Church. The first burned on Aug. 31, 1931. Bishop George Finnegan came from Helena the same day, conferred with pastor Father James Nolan and other church authorities and authorized construction of a new church, immediately commissioning an architect. Volunteers accomplished a majority of work on the new church. After putting in their shifts in the mines, the men of the parish donated many hours every day to the church's construction. The basement and outer contours of the church are completed for the laying of the cornerstone in less than four months. Masses and other church functions were held in the basement of the church for the next year and a half. The first Mass in the completed church occurred May 21, 1933.
St. Mary's Church served parishioners through a lifetime of transitions - Baptisms, Confessions, Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and funeral Mass. The church remains in the hearts of those who worshipped there. St. Mary's Parish was combined with St. Lawrence O'Toole Parish in 1978. The Diocese of Helena closed both churches in 1986. The final Mass at St. Mary's was said on June 29, 1986.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1931.
Location. 46° 1.011′ N, 112° 32.16′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Gagnon Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 North Main Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mary's Church (a few steps from this marker); The Original (Mine) (a few steps from this marker); Scott Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Butte Miner's #1 Union Hall (about 400 feet away); Duggan Residence (about 400 feet away); Butte National Historic Landmark District (about 400 feet away); 611 North Main Street (about 400 feet away); Tuttle Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021
2. From The Ashes Marker
St. Mary's Church is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
