My Nonprofit Reviews

St. Mary’s Mission has so much history its hard to walk the grounds and not feel a spiritual presence. The Salish encampment has teepees in which visitors can sit and imagine living in one. Going inside Chief Victor’s cabin and Father Ravalli’s cabin make one feel like a child discovering something awesome. Walking the cemetery makes me feel like my feet are not touching the earth as it truly is sacred ground.

Visitors learn a lot of what happened here from taking a tour and going inside all the outbuildings and, WHOA!, the chapel. Spectacular! Father Ravalli was inspired by his Italian heritage and the chapel surely reflects his love of art.

The Salish sent delegations to St. Louis asking the ‘black robes’ to come. Amazing to hear how they found Father DeSmet, who came and then went back to Italy and found Father Ravalli and other priests who agreed to travel to America to help the Salish in whatever way they could. It is inspiring to hear how the priests tried to help the Salish when the US government was forcing them on to reservations.

Definitely worth the time and $8 to take a tour. Stevensville is the oldest settlement in Montana, so the whole town is a must-see. I was so enthralled with the Mission and the people involved in keeping it open, I decided to volunteer as well. Its a privilege to help others discover this wondrous place.