Holy Family Mission (Browning, Mont.)

Holy Family Mission has its roots in the so-called "Grant's Peace Policy" of 1870, whereby the Blackfeet Reservation became the exclusive missionizing prerogative of the Methodists. Beginning in 1880, Jesuit Fr. Peter Prando began to challenge this state of affairs from his cabin on Birch Creek, just outside the Reservation's southern boundary. His success was notable, both in the loyalty he could evince from his new Blackfeet allies and the capacity to bring matters to a head with U.S. Indian Agent John Young, who also happened to be a Methodist. By 1885 both Prando and Young had warranted reassignment elsewhere, and the way was cleared for an official Jesuit residence on the Reservation. Fr. Joseph Damiani, though still based at St. Peter's Mission, promptly selected a site on the Two Medicine River, just a few miles north of the Agency itself. Fr. Prando's old friend, White Calf, donated a portion of his own adjacent land for the purpose of building a school. Lacking funds, the new mission was unable to honor this intent until a generous benefaction was received from Katherine Drexel. Fr. Damiani, with three Ursuline nuns in support, formally dedicated Holy Family Mission on August 25, 1890.

From the description of Holy Family Mission records, 1887-2006. (Graham Public Library). WorldCat record id: 537669952