St. Mary's Catholic Church
4th St. and 3rd Ave., Medora, NDThe significance of St. Mary's derives from its status as the oldest Catholic church still in use in the state of North Dakota; the effective simplicity of its architectural design; and its association with the family of the Marquis de Mores (1858-1896), a French nobleman who founded the town in which the church is located.
Medora on the Little Missouri River in the Dakota Badlands was laid out in 1883 by the Marquis as headquarters for his commercial scheme of slaughtering cattle on the range and shipping the meat to consumers in refrigerated railroad cars. The town quickly prospered and by 1884 had acquired 251 permanent settlers, one of whom was Peter Book, a builder who also owned a local brickyard. In July, 1884, Book was awarded the contract for St. Mary's by Medora, Marquise de Mores, who built the church for the town which was her namesake. Construction progressed rapidly, with the completed edifice being blessed on November 2, 1884, by Father Martin Schmitt, priest of Mandan parish and its missions. The first baptism and the first marriage in the new church both took place on December 30, 1884, with the groom, carpenter Jim Butler, furnishing pews for the building during the following year. In the early months of its existence, the church was also the setting for a school taught by a Miss Finger, who came from South Heart.
In 1886 the Marquis de Mores and his family departed Medora following the collapse of his meat-packing venture, which occurred chiefly for two reasons: an Eastern taste for corn-fed rather than range-fed cattle and a price war initiated by competing packers. The town of Medora, being almost entirely dependent economically on the de Mores enterprise, entered a decline which lasted for nearly a century.
St. Mary's passed to the care of the resident pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Dickinson, in 1887. During the present century, responsibility for it has been assumed successively by pastors at Beach, Belfield, South Heart, and Sentinel Butte. The patron of the church has also changed through the years: Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1890s); Sacred Heart (1896-ca. 1920); St. Mary's (officially, 1938-present). The donation of St. Mary's to the community of Medora was reaffirmed in 1920 by Louis and Paul Manca de Vallombrosa, sons of the Marquis and the Marquise de Mores; a legal instrument of the donation was drawn up in 1925.
During the mid-1960s, Medora underwent a tourist boom generated by restoration and promotional activities of the Gold Seal Company of Bismarck, which capitalized on the locale's colorful cattle-town origins. St. Mary's single Sunday service consequently became hopelessly inadequate, and eventually three weekend services during the summer months were instituted. Currently, hundreds of visitors are served each week during the tourist season, although the permanent congregation of the "Chapel in the Badlands" remains small.
Local significance of the building:
Medora on the Little Missouri River in the Dakota Badlands was laid out in 1883 by the Marquis as headquarters for his commercial scheme of slaughtering cattle on the range and shipping the meat to consumers in refrigerated railroad cars. The town quickly prospered and by 1884 had acquired 251 permanent settlers, one of whom was Peter Book, a builder who also owned a local brickyard. In July, 1884, Book was awarded the contract for St. Mary's by Medora, Marquise de Mores, who built the church for the town which was her namesake. Construction progressed rapidly, with the completed edifice being blessed on November 2, 1884, by Father Martin Schmitt, priest of Mandan parish and its missions. The first baptism and the first marriage in the new church both took place on December 30, 1884, with the groom, carpenter Jim Butler, furnishing pews for the building during the following year. In the early months of its existence, the church was also the setting for a school taught by a Miss Finger, who came from South Heart.
In 1886 the Marquis de Mores and his family departed Medora following the collapse of his meat-packing venture, which occurred chiefly for two reasons: an Eastern taste for corn-fed rather than range-fed cattle and a price war initiated by competing packers. The town of Medora, being almost entirely dependent economically on the de Mores enterprise, entered a decline which lasted for nearly a century.
St. Mary's passed to the care of the resident pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Dickinson, in 1887. During the present century, responsibility for it has been assumed successively by pastors at Beach, Belfield, South Heart, and Sentinel Butte. The patron of the church has also changed through the years: Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1890s); Sacred Heart (1896-ca. 1920); St. Mary's (officially, 1938-present). The donation of St. Mary's to the community of Medora was reaffirmed in 1920 by Louis and Paul Manca de Vallombrosa, sons of the Marquis and the Marquise de Mores; a legal instrument of the donation was drawn up in 1925.
During the mid-1960s, Medora underwent a tourist boom generated by restoration and promotional activities of the Gold Seal Company of Bismarck, which capitalized on the locale's colorful cattle-town origins. St. Mary's single Sunday service consequently became hopelessly inadequate, and eventually three weekend services during the summer months were instituted. Currently, hundreds of visitors are served each week during the tourist season, although the permanent congregation of the "Chapel in the Badlands" remains small.
Exploration/settlement; Architecture; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
North Dakota was once home to a thriving wheat-growing industry that helped it earn the nickname "The Breadbasket of the World." The state's fertile soil and favorable weather conditions made it an ideal location for wheat farming, and many farmers still grow wheat there today.
About Billings County
Billings County Timeline
Billings County, North Dakota, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples, who lived along the Missouri River. European settlement in the region began in the mid-19th century, with fur traders and explorers venturing into the area.
In the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived, bringing significant changes to the region. The town of Medora was established in 1883 and quickly grew, becoming the county seat of Billings County. Named after the wife of a prominent railroad executive, Medora became a booming cattle town and served as a gateway to the Badlands.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agriculture industry flourished in Billings County. Farmers settled in the area, cultivating wheat, oats, and barley. Towns, schools, and churches were established to support the growing population.
In the early 20th century, the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park significantly impacted Billings County. This national park was created to preserve the rugged beauty of the Badlands and honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who had cherished his time in the region as a cattle rancher. Today, the park is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to experience the unique landscapes and wildlife of the area.
While the county's population has remained small over the years, Billings County continues to thrive as a scenic and historically significant area. The influence of Native American cultures, the arrival of the railroad, the growth of agriculture, and the establishment of Theodore Roosevelt National Park have all played major roles in shaping the county's fascinating history.
In the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived, bringing significant changes to the region. The town of Medora was established in 1883 and quickly grew, becoming the county seat of Billings County. Named after the wife of a prominent railroad executive, Medora became a booming cattle town and served as a gateway to the Badlands.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agriculture industry flourished in Billings County. Farmers settled in the area, cultivating wheat, oats, and barley. Towns, schools, and churches were established to support the growing population.
In the early 20th century, the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park significantly impacted Billings County. This national park was created to preserve the rugged beauty of the Badlands and honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who had cherished his time in the region as a cattle rancher. Today, the park is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to experience the unique landscapes and wildlife of the area.
While the county's population has remained small over the years, Billings County continues to thrive as a scenic and historically significant area. The influence of Native American cultures, the arrival of the railroad, the growth of agriculture, and the establishment of Theodore Roosevelt National Park have all played major roles in shaping the county's fascinating history.
Billings County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Billings County, North Dakota.
- The area now known as Billings County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara.
- In 1803, the land became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.
- Exploration of the region began in the early 19th century by fur trappers and traders.
- In 1877, Billings County was officially established by the Dakota Territory legislature and named after former North Carolina governor Frederick H. Billings.
- In the late 19th century, ranching became the dominant industry in the area, with large cattle herds and open range grazing.
- The construction of the Northern Pacific Railway through Billings County in the 1880s brought increased settlement and economic growth.
- The town of Medora was founded in 1883 as a railroad town and became the county seat of Billings County.
- The region experienced a boom in coal mining during the early 20th century, with several mines opening and providing employment opportunities.
- In 1936, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established in Billings County, preserving the natural beauty of the Badlands and honoring the former president's conservation legacy.
- During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) undertook numerous projects in Billings County to combat unemployment and improve infrastructure.
- Billings County remains a sparsely populated area with a strong connection to its pioneer heritage and beautiful natural landscapes.