The life of Father Pierre Jean DeSmet, S.J.

St. Mary’s Mission was founded in 1841 in the Pacific Northwest by Father Pierre Jean DeSmet at the request of the Salish Indian Tribe.  It is a remarkable story, which we are honored to share.  St. Mary’s Mission is significant for several reasons.  St. Mary’s of the Rocky Mountains was Father DeSmet’s first church, as well as, the first mission in the region which also provided many other first occurrences before Montana attained statehood.