St. Mary's Mission (Omak, Wash.)

St. Mary's Mission dates to 1885 when Jesuit Fr. Stephen De Rouge overwintered near present Ellisford, Washington. The following spring he established the mission on tribal land donated by Chief Smitkin near present Omak. De Rouge promptly traveled back to Europe and personally secured enough funds to begin his project. He returned in 1889 and completed the mission's first major facility by 1892. Ten years later he completed the combined convent/girls school. In 1909 his masterpiece, St. Mary's College, was finished and ready for students. The building was large enough to house the boys dormitory, dining room, classrooms, priest's quarters, as well as a library, chapel and museum. Construction on the mission church was begun that same year, but six years were required to complete the project. This structure is still in service at the old mission site. A small hospital was added in 1911, but was discontinued within a few years.

From the description of St. Mary's Omak Mission records, 1884-2006. (Graham Public Library). WorldCat record id: 535325457