The Chippeway herald. [volume], May 01, 1909, Image 4

About The Chippeway herald. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1902-19??

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
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The Episcopal Church, White Earth Minn.,
The Episcopal mission was estab
lished, as told above, during the win
ter of 1868, by Rev. Johnson. Rev.
Johnson made his home here among
his people and spent his life in the
uplifting of his race. He worked alone
until 1873, when the Rev. Gilfilin was
sent to assist him in his work. The
success of the mission is due to the de
votion of these men to the subjects in
their charge.
Bishop Whipple made his first visit
to the reservation in 1870 and con
firmed a number of the Indians. This
was the nucleus of the Episcopal
missionwork on this reservation. In
1872, the log building at the Trading
Post was abandoned for a frame build
ing on the site near the present
structure.
The mission school was abandoned
when the borading school was institu
ted, Rev. Gilfilin instructed a number
of the young men for the clergy. Upon
his recommendation congregations were
organized at different points on the re
servation and these young clergymen
were appointed rectors in the charge.
Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm
of this devoted prople. Though the
buildings were destroyed at different
times, there stands a very beautiful
stone edifice as a monument to the de
voted pioneers.
Father Genin of Canada was the
first Roman Catholic missionary to
make regular visits to this reservation.
A few years after the arrival of the
Indians on this reservation Father
Tomazine established the first Roman
Catholie mission and school on the
site occupied by the Catholic cemetery
These»4juiidings,a chapel,aparsonage,
and a school building were rude log
buildings. Father Mallesy, so well
known on the reservation was the first
Catholic teacher in th ; s school.
Father Aloysius accompanied by
Sisters Lioba and Philomena came to
the reservation and assumed charge of
the mission in November 1878. He has
zealously and earnestly pushed the
work begun by Father Tomazine. The
quarters of the mission were found
inadequate, when the new buildings
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The Roman Catholic Church, White Earth, Minn.,
were erected. The church and the
building now used as a parsomge,
were built in 1831. on the present site
near Mission Lake, a very 7 beautiful
place indeed. The parsonage was
used as a school and dormitory. The
growth of the school was so great, that
the quarters used were too small.
Mother Katharine Drexel and other
noble hearted Christians donated
liberally for the construction of a
school building, which was built in
1891 ata cost of $35,000.
By the earnest,persistent and zealous,
work of Father Aloysius and the sis
ters associated with him, the school is
filled to its limits every year and many
are turned from its doors for the want
of room. Although the school is open
to girls only, it has wielded great in-
fluence in uplifting the Indians on
this reservation to civilization
The Catholic missions on other parts
of the reservation were established by 7
Father Aloysius
The result of the work done on this
reservation is apparent. The growth
or development of the Indians has been
slow but sure. It has been accompl
ished by the persistent offorts of the
workers who have gone to the pillow
at night with tired bodies, discuraged
minds, and aching hearts, but would
comeforth with the new day, with naw
zeal, and vigor and a greater deter
mination.