There were 61 reasons for us to deviate a bit from our route to Spokane on Saturday. Right off of Highway 93 in Montana and about 40 miles north of Missoula, is the beautiful mission church of St. Ignatius. Inside this church, built in 1891, are 61 awe inspiring frescos painted on the walls and ceiling by Brother Joseph Carignano, S.J.
This is the beautiful view that meets your eyes as you enter through the large doors at the rear of the church.
None of these paintings were done by a professional artist. They were done by the cook, who had no formal art training! He painted when he had time between his other jobs at the church.
The views below are of the main altar.
This church is dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. There were 4 different tribes in the area that called a priest in 1854 to start the mission. At one time the mission included a school, sawmill, flour mill, printing press, hospital and a farm in addition to the present church. Sandy and I had a chance to talk about our half hour tour as we left the church.
Then it was time to get back in our trucks and head west first to Idaho and then cross into Spokane, Washington. History lessons are not only for those who head east to Boston or Washington, D.C. The west has an interesting history of its own. Sometimes you just have to get off the interstates to find gems like this!
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