Jefferson in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

St. Peter's Church Jefferson

January 8, 2022

1. St. Peter's Church Jefferson Marker

Inscription. The vicinity of Jefferson, even before the organization of Dakota Territory in 1861, was a French-Canadian community and Catholic services were held sporadically prior to the advent of Father Pierre Boucher in 1867. In 1862 a small log building north of the present church was used as a school house and church where services were held. Father Boucher had a pastorate extending over a vast area of Southeastern Dakota and about twenty-five French-Canadian families formed the nucleus of his congregation here. Soon after his coming, a large wooden church was built and served until 1890, when the present fine church was erected during the pastorate of Father Cyrille St. Pierre. Father Boucher died in 1900 at Quebec. The Reverend Charles F. Robinson was the pastor from 1894 until 1924 and he lies buried in the adjacent church yard, whose grave stones abound in the names of parishioners and tells a story of its own. In 1889 a school and convent were built and these were replaced by the present parochial school building in 1951. The large wooden cross in the cemetery is a replacement for the rude cross placed therein in May, 1876,

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when Father Boucher led a eleven mile pilgrimage, ending in the church yard at Jefferson, invoking divine aid against the besetting grasshopper plague.

Erected in 1966 in memory of the Forest C. Roach Family

Erected 1966. (Marker Number 400.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1876.

Location. 42° 36.228′ N, 96° 33.62′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, South Dakota, in Union County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 105) and Fourth Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Located in front of St. Peter's Community Center in Jefferson. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Main St, Jefferson SD 57038, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally,

St. Peter's Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

2. St. Peter's Church Marker

it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grasshopper Cross (a few steps from this marker); Postmasters Jefferson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Flour Mill in Dakota (about 600 feet away); Twelve Mile House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fourteen Mile House (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Grasshopper Cross (approx. 4.6 miles away); From Settlement to State Park (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa); Geology Wonders (approx. 5.4 miles away in Iowa). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016

3. St. Peter's Church Marker

St. Peter's Church Jefferson Marker, from the southeast image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

4. St. Peter's Church Jefferson Marker, from the southeast

St. Peter's Church Jefferson Marker, from the northwest image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

5. St. Peter's Church Jefferson Marker, from the northwest

St. Peter's Church image. Click for full size.

January 8, 2022

6. St. Peter's Church

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,215 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on January 9, 2022. Photos: 1. submitted on January 12, 2022. 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 4, 5. submitted on January 12, 2022. 6. submitted on January 15, 2022. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.