History And Culture
Origins of St. Francis Mission:
In the 1840's Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet, SJ, at the invitation of the Flathead Indians in Idaho, traveled extensively in the northern plains. On his journeys he brought the Gospel to Lakota people but he did not settle among them. He had a reputation among plains Indians as a holy man and a man who could be trusted.
Grants Peace Policy: During President Grants administration, in an effort to civilize native people the government decided to assign different religions to specific reservations. Since man of the people in Grant's administration were Masons Catholics were generally excluded form participating in reservation life. Several of the Lakota chiefs who had had contact with Fr. DeSmet or at least know of his reputation and of the Jesuit reputation for running schools went to Washington to see if the Jesuits, known as Black Robes could be allowed to enter the reservation to teach their children.
On September 26-27, 1877 Chief Sinte Gleska (Spotted Tail), leader of the Sicangu Lakota and Chief Red Cloud leader of the Ogalala met with President Rutherford B. Hayes and formally requested that the Black Robes come to their lands to educate their people. Sinte Gleska told the President "I would like to say something about a teacher. My children, all of them, would like to learn how to talk English. They would like to learn how to read and write. We have teachers there, but all they teach us is to talk Sioux, and to write Sioux, and that is not necessary. I would like to get Catholic priests. Those who wear black dresses. These men will teach us how to read and write English."
With the death of Sinte Gleska in 1881, Chief Two Strike invited the Jesuits to enter the Rosebud Reservation and begin a school. The site was located near camps of Two Strike's band called Hinhansunwapa (Owl Feather Bonnet). Fr. Jutz and Br. Nunlist finished a large frame building financed by American born St. Katharine Drexel whose feast day is March 3rd, and dedicated it in 1886. A few months later Fr. Perrig came as superior, joined by Br. Billings, and Franciscan Sr's. Kostka, Rosalia, and Alcantara. The complex was named after St. Francis Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order, but was commonly referred to as Sapaun Ti ("where the Black Robes live") by the Sicangu.
As years passed other buildings were added to the complex. The school offered the people in the area a place where they felt safe. The school taught them the Catholic Faith and how to function in White society. The Mission School was turned over to the tribe in 1974 and is now independent of St. Francis Mission.
St Francis Mission continues it educational mission by offering release time Religious Education Programs and an after school program that offers Religious education, help with homework, reading skills, Lakota language enhancement and recreation. Moreover, the Mission offers adult education programs, a ministry formation program, and educational programs on its Radio Station KINI.
This year St. Francis Mission began a feasibility study for a Nativity style Catholic elementary school on the Rosebud Reservation. If the study suggests that we should move forward then we would expect to begin a Catholic elementary school in fall 2006.
Historic Churches
St. Charles Borromeo Parish
Box 499
St. Francis, SD 57572
(605) 747-2533
History of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, St. Francis: Bro. Henry Wissing, SJ, architect and construction supervisor, completed a 40 x 95 foot church on the site in 1885. Bishop Martin Marty dedicated this original wood frame church on February 16, 1890. The fire of January 20, 1916 turned the church and most other mission buildings to ashes. Bro. Andrew Hartman, SJ assured that fire would not destroy the church again as he and many local and area helpers poured 18 inch thick concrete walls for the new church a year later. On the Feast of the Holy Trinity, June 11, 1922, Fr. Digmann blessed the new church, and in October of that year Bishop John J. Lawler dedicated the church.
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St. Patrick's Church
Spring Creek , SD 57572
(605) 747-2533
History of St. Patrick's Church: On November 26, 1922, St. Patrick's Church was dedicated next to the cemetery south of Spring Creek. In 1969, the church was moved into the community of Spring Creek next to the Little White River. At the same time a smaller building was placed next to the church to serve as a hall and catechetical center.
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St. Bridget Parish
Box 340
Rosebud, SD 57570
(605) 747-2496
History of St. Bridget Parish: The old Rosebud church building of frame construction, 22 x 56 feet, with a full basement was built in 1905 close to the Agency in the town of Rosebud. Fr. Bernard Fagan, SJ, and parishioners raised funds for a new church which rose "up above" across from the Fair Grounds in Rosebud. Bishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap. dedicated the building in 1988. St. Francis Mission completed sale of the former St. Bridget's in the year 2000.
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Sacred Heart Parish
HCR 75 Box 923
Norris, SD 57560
History of Sacred Heart Parish, Norris: Catholics in Norris had been served by the diocesan priest in Belvidere, and later the priest in Kadoka. There was an exchange of churches in 1955: the first church, built in 1930, was moved to Red Leaf, a short distance away; the larger church at Red Leaf was moved to Norris to afford space for native and non-native parishioners. A 40 x 60 foot building, St. Joseph's Hall, serves the Lakota population of the area. Jesuit priests have ministered to this faith community since the 1970's.
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St. Thomas Parish
Box 151
Mission, SD
(605) 856-4618
stthomas@gwtc.net
History of St. Thomas Parish: St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is one of three diocesan churches served by the Jesuits of St. Francis Mission. Fr. Florentine Digmann built the first church in the area across from the government boarding school in the Antelope Community east of Mission. In 1933 Bishop John Lawler sent Fr. Gerard Stakemeier, a diocesan priest, to the town to establish a parish. The Bishop dedicated the church in 1936. Fr. Stakemeier resigned because of poor health in 1942, and ever since the parish has been attended by Jesuit priests.
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St. Peter's Parish
Okreek, SD 57563
History of St. Peter's Parish: Arson claimed the historic 98 year old St. Peter Church in August of 1997, two years short of its 100th year. In 1935 the church had been moved to Okreek from a location next to the Catholic cemetery about two and a half miles to the northeast. Parishioners and members of other denominations volunteered their skills and labor to complete the new church in time for its dedication by Bishop Blase Cupich on May 15, 1999.
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Sacred Heart Parish
Box 185
White River, SD 57579
History of Sacred Heart Parish, White River: On its 50th anniversary in 1949 Sacred Heart Church in White River was completely renovated through the generosity of parishioners. Throughout its history, this parish has been served by priests from other diocesan parishes nearby; Fr. J. P. Walsh lived in the parish house for eight years. Fr. Christian Keeler, SJ, who cared for both White River Catholic churches, was instrumental in further renovating the church in 1973. The parish continues to be served by Jesuit Fathers from St. Francis Mission.
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St. Ignatius Church
Box 245
White River, SD 57579
(605) 259-3381
History of St. Ignatius Church: In 1892 Fr. Florentine Digmann, SJ, answered a request from the Two Kettles band for baptism. Thus began ministry in the White River area to the Lakota people living there. In 1898 Mother Katharine Drexel donated the funds needed to build St. Ignatius Church, which moved two times in its history from the cemetery hill west of town to the river bottom in 1921, and finally in 1961 to its present location in town just west of Highway 83. In 1998, the church, the oldest in Melette County, was renovated for its 100th birthday.
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Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Wood, SD 57585
History of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church: Originally located west of Wood at St. Mary's Garden, the cemetery, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church was moved to the town in 1961. Another parish church, St. Peter's, established by Bishop John Lawler in 1933 in Wood, was discontinued in 1976 because of so small a congregation.
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