Passing through as we head eastward toward Bismarck, ND and then onward to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a week.
Several attempts were made by Native Americans to get the “Blackrobes”, the Jesuits, to come to Montana. On March 27, 1840, Fr. Peter John DeSmet, S.J. started out on his significant westward journey. Fr. DeSmet celebrated the first Mass to be offered on July 26, 1840, near what is today called Three Forks, Montana. After a brief visit, Fr. DeSmet returned to St. Louis only to return the following year with two more priests and two Jesuit lay brothers. On September 24, 1841 the missionaries arrived at the home of the Flatheads in the Bitterroot Valley, about 50 miles south of present day Missoula. The first foundation set up by Fr. DeSmet is known today as St. Mary’s Mission. Many missions soon began to be established in other areas of Montana, and when gold was discovered in several counties in 1862, that really began the history of White emigration to Montana.
The history of St. Patrick Church goes back to September 1905 when ground was broken for the present church. The cornerstone was layed by Bishop Lenihan on August 12, 1906 and the solemn dedication wasn’t until March 1, 1908. Fr. Cyril Pauwelyn became pastor in 1910 and immediately saw the need for a school, which he built in the old St. Joachim Church. Following the death of Kate Fratt, wife of cattleman David Fratt, money from her will was designated for the construction of a new school. In February 1919 the new school opened with 170 students. In 1954, the first extensive renovation was undertaken at St. Patrick. In the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s modifications were made to the Sanctuary to accommodate the changes of Vatican ll. Because of the population growth in Yellowstone County, Vatican permission was received to change the name of the Diocese in 1980 to The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. Soon after, St. Patrick was named the Co-Cathedral.
