About Saint Ignatius Mission Parish in Saint Ignatius, Montana:
The mission here was founded in 1845 by Father De Smet, S.J., and another priest, Father Adrian Hoecken, S.J. It was moved moved to its present location in 1854.The Mission, and the town that grew up around it, were the home to Montana’s first Jesuit school, first Catholic religious sisters as of 1864, first Catholic school, and first hospital.
The interior of the church contains fifty-eight murals painted over a fourteen-month period in 1904-1905. The artist was a Jesuit Brother who served as the Mission cook. Brother Carignano, SJ, (1853-1919), with no professional training in art, completed the paintings between his regular duties as the Mission cook and handyman. The paintings depict scenes from Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the lives of the saints. The triptych behind the main altar show the three visions of St. Ignatius of Loyola for whom the Mission and town are named. You will find photos of his artwork on the official website linked below.
St. Ignatius Mission is the oldest continually active Jesuit Catholic parish in the West, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Traveling to Saint Ignatius Mission Parish in Saint Ignatius, Montana:
About 40 miles north of Missoula, Montana and 185 miles west of Spokane, Washington, the town of Saint Ignatius is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Address: 300 Beartrack Ave, Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
Tel: +1 406-745-2768
email: info@stignatiusmission.org
Click here for the official website of Saint Ignatius Mission Parish in Saint Ignatius, Montana.
