St Ignatius: Mission, Murals and History

St Ignatius takes its name from St. Ignatius Mission. This makes the town especially interesting if you’re interested in regional history and religious art: the mission comprises four buildings, and the interior of the present-day church features 58 murals. Historic trading posts and the Mission Mountains landscape also add to the picture. If you’re looking for a hotel in St Ignatius, these different points of interest can help you plan your stay around the themes you’d like to explore more closely.

St. Ignatius Mission: Building History and Murals

St. Ignatius Mission was founded by Belgian Jesuit missionary Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet and was listed as a National Historic Site in 1973. Construction of the present-day church began in 1891 and took two years. The materials used were sourced locally: the bricks were made from local clay, and trees were also processed on site.

The 58 murals inside the church were painted over a period of fourteen months in 1904 and 1905. Their subjects depict scenes from the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the lives of the saints. The St. Ignatius Museum is housed in the original log church dating from 1854. Its exhibits focus on the work of the Sisters of Providence and the Ursulines. This makes it possible to distinguish the original log church from the later present-day church by their dates.

Fort Connah and Four Winds Indian Trading Post

The Fort Connah historic site is located on US Highway 93 between St Ignatius and Charlo. The Hudson’s Bay Company trading post was established in 1846 and operated until 1871. One of the three original buildings remains; it is considered Montana’s oldest standing building. Fort Connah is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A rendezvous gathering takes place at the historic site every year in May and September. If you’d like to plan your trip around a date, confirm the dates in advance. The original log cabin of the Four Winds Indian Trading Post was built by Duncan McDonald in 1870 and moved from Ravalli to its present location. The historic store offers authentic goods such as beads, face paint, deer and elk hides, dance bells, animal sinew material, and porcupine-quill headdresses. The selection may change. Purchases help promote and preserve traditional arts and crafts.

Scenery and Trails in the Surrounding Area

The Mission Mountains lie less than 10 miles east of St Ignatius. They rise from the valley floor to nearly 7,000 feet. Their high country provides habitat for species such as mountain goats, deer, elk, moose, bears, eagles, and ospreys. In 1979, about 89,500 acres in the western Mission Mountains on tribal land were designated a Tribal Wilderness Area by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

In the surrounding area, the CSKT Bison Range offers two driving routes: Red Sleep Drive is 19 miles long, and Prairie Drive is 14 miles long. There are also four hiking trails. Since operating conditions may change, check them before your visit. Also in the surrounding area, the Mission Falls Trail covers about 3.3 miles; the trailhead is accessible via Mission Dam Road. Access and permit rules may change. Check the current conditions before setting out on a hike.

Getting Around and Planning Your Visit

St. Ignatius Mission is about two blocks off Highway 93 and is visible from there. Highway signs provide directions; signage may change.

Judith Colvin Designs offers private and group workshops by appointment. Arrange your preferred date in advance, as availability may vary. Using traditional wet-felting techniques, Judith Colvin Designs makes wool hats, purses, scarves, capes, and wall hangings; this range of products may also change.

Discover more destinations: Polson.

For the broader travel overview: Lake County.