Near Daniel in Sublette County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Prairie of the Mass

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 25, 2014

1. The Prairie of the Mass Marker

Inscription. Rev. Pierre DeSmet (1801-1873) was born in Belgium but came to America in 1821, joined by the Jesuit Society and began his work with the Indians. In his work, he established 16 treaties, crossed the ocean 19 times and traveled 180,000 miles on his errands of charity for the Indians who knew him as “The Sincerest Friend”. On July 5, 1840, in the presence of 2,000 Indians, trappers and traders he offered the first Holy Mass in what is now Wyoming on an alter (sic, altar) of native stone decorated with wild flowers. In Father DeSmet’s own words: “It was a spectacle truly moving to the heart of a missionary that his immense family, composed of so many different tribes should prostrate themselves in equal humility before the “Divine Host.” The monument of this site was erected in 1925 and a commemorative Mass is offered in July. On July 4, 1940, the 100th anniversary of the first Mass, a Pontifical high mass was offered by the Most Rev. Bishop McGovern assisted by more than 30 priests and attended by about 2000 people.

Erected by Wyoming Travel & Tourism.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1833.

Location. 42° 50.437′ N, 110° 3.652′ W. Marker is near Daniel, Wyoming, in Sublette County. It is on U.S. 189 near DeSmet Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Daniel WY 83115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Yellowstone.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Green River Rendezvous (approx. 1.9 miles away); Narcissa Prentiss Whitman (approx. 1.9 miles away); Pinckey W. Sublette (approx. 2 miles away); First Holy Mass in Wyoming (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Green River Drift (approx. 4.8 miles away); Ancient Pronghorn Kill Site (approx. 4.8 miles away); Wind River Mountains (approx. 4.8 miles away); Rendezvous - Birth of an Empire (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 25, 2014

2. The Prairie of the Mass Marker

of all markers in Daniel.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 946 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.