The Cataldo Mission
fear. While they were gone, the Coeur d'Alenes generously took care of their farms until they returned. Also that year, Father Alexander Diomede moved the mission activities to a new location at Desmet, Idaho, since the mission was not included in the boundaries set for the Coeur d'Alene reservation. The Indians were very sad at having to leave their precious mission. In 1877, Father Joseph M. Cataldo made the old church his headquarters when he was made superior of all the Rocky Mountain Missions. Jesuit fathers from Gonzaga University used the old church while serving the miners in Wallace and Burke, Idaho during the late 1880s. During 1899 to 1901 the house served as a training center for Jesuit brothers. It was the only house of its kind in the Rocky Mountain Mission District.
In 1924, the Jesuits deeded the church to the Boise Diocese. In 1925, Bishop Gorman of Boise appointed a committee to restore the church. This plan was much approved by the Coeur d'Alene tribe. In September 1926, about two thousand people from Coeur d'Alene, Wallace, Kellogg, Burke, Millan, and Spokane visited the old mission and held mass. A choir of Indians sang in Latin at the service. Father Cataldo, then 90 years old, spoke to the Indians in their language. In October 1927, the State Council of the Knights of Columbus provided funds for a new roof and supports of the portico. Eventually the whole building was restored.
Today the mission, just off Interstate 90 in Northern Idaho, is the site of annual events, especially weddings and picnics. There are also annual celebration such as the Historic Skills Fair in July when men, women, and children dress in historic costumes and demonstrate pioneer crafts.
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