Jesuit priests came to this area of Idaho in 1842, invited by the Coeur d'Alene Indians. The church was built in 1850 by the Indians and the priests using huge supporting beams with wattle and daub in-between for the walls. Both inside and outside walls were finished with milled wood in 1865. Priests hand carved wooden statues and ceiling panels and painted the alter and many of the pictures.
The church and a parish house are opened to tour. The site also has an excellent museum with displays, artifacts and videos.
The museum is all accessible. The church has a lift to access the porch. A steep, short ramp is at the door threshold outside but inside has a step down so wheelchair users may have to view the interior from the porch. The parish house has a ramp at the rear door which must be unlocked by the park personnel. There isn’t a walkway to the rear, just a gravel drive and grass. Small parking lots are located at the visitor center and the church/parish house.
The small lots are not big enough for RVs over 25’. A larger lot is located below the museum with a uphill path leading to all of the buildings. Museum
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Looks like it got fixed up alot since the last time I was there back in 2004 :).
ReplyDeleteDo stop if you get a chance your way home. The museum is brand new and really good. I think that the admission was only $4.00 per car.
ReplyDeleteThanks, sadly, I'll have to visit on another trip that way. I'm coming back via I-80 vs I-90, as it is currently still snow free (how long that will last is unknown).
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