Liebler, H. Baxter (Harold Baxter), 1889-1982

The Reverend Harold Baxter Liebler established a mission to the Navajo Indians at Bluff, Utah in 1943 named St. Christopher's until his retirement in the middle 1960s. Liebler's mission to the Navajo Indians, however, did not end upon his retirement. Instead, he moved into the Monument Valley area of Arizona and established the Hat Rock Valley Retreat Center and St. Mary's of the Moonlight chapel. He resided here, in Monument Valley, until his death in 1982. Liebler, even though operating this new religious site was still intricately involved at St. Christopher's. He was asked to fill both short term and long term vacancies on many occasions after his so called retirement. The papers in this collection focus primarily upon Liebler's activity among the Navajo Indians from 1943 until his death in 1982. Much of the material, in addition to detailing the above work, reflects his work as an Episcopal priest. The collection also chronicles Liebler's life as an Episcopal priest.

From the guide to the H. Baxter Liebler papers, 1910-1982, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

Founder of St. Christopher's Mission (Episcopal) to the Navajos at Bluff.

From the description of Interview, 14 Jul 1971. (Utah Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122554767

Episcopal priest; established St. Christopher's to the Navajo at Bluff, Utah in 1943; later founded the Hat Rock Valley Retreat Center in Monument Valley, Arizona.

From the description of H. Baxter Liebler papers, 1910-1982. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 18212662

Reverend Harold Baxter Liebler established St. Christopher's Mission as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah in 1943 near Bluff, Utah. The mission bordered the Navajo Indian Reservation and it mainly served the Navajo people. Father Liebler officially retired in 1962, but he was active with the mission until his death in 1982. After 1962 Liebler moved to the Monument Valley area of Arizona and established the Hat Rock Valley Retreat Center and St. Mary's of the Moonlight Chapel. Liebler was known throughout the Southwest for his dedication to the Navajo people and to his missionary work.

Brother Juniper (Charles Hillyer Armour Ford) came to St. Christopher's in October, 1943. He was born in Milwaukee in 1903 and he spent his youth and young adulthood in Wisconsin before joining the American Congregation of Franciscans around 1933. He then moved to Little Portion, Mt. Sinai, New York. Brother Juniper stayed at St. Christopher's until 1966 when he moved to the Hat Rock Valley Retreat Center. He died in 1972.

From the guide to the Father Harold Baxter Liebler and Brother Juniper photograph collection, 1943-1982, 1950-1980, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)