The Missionary Connection
Free spring history series
Devin Heilman
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Life
Connections between early missionaries and the Pacific Northwest were unveiled during Robert Singletary's presentation Feb. 3 at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.
"The Missionary Connection," the fourth in the free spring history series "North Idaho: Connections to the Past," took place in the basement of the library. Singletary, regional historian and retired NIC instructor, began the evening with his trademark "floodlight view" on the program's topic. He spoke of The Second Great Awakening:
"There was a major movement to distrust, move away from, strong authoritative and religious organizations," he said. The Second Great Awakening differed from The First Great Awakening in some ways; in the First, conventional religion gripped Colonial America and people congregated with enthusiasm. The Second was a movement to stray from traditional Christian beliefs, and as a result more denominations with different ideas began to surface.
In the early 1800s, revolutions occurred nonstop. The United States was in the midst of a scientific and technological enlightenment. Art, literature and music began to be perceived in a new light. The Industrial Revolution was to change the face of the county forever, introducing the iron pony (the railroad). In the 1830s, Singletary said, there were only 11 miles of railroad in the United States.
"By 1860," he said, "if rail lines were spaghetti, from the East Coast to the Mississippi looked like a plate of spaghetti."
This all relates to one of the most prominent factors involved in the history of this area: the arrival of the missionaries.
"All of this movement ties together to tell us what was going on in the big scene," Singletary said.
The missionary movement began close to our area. As the story goes, Singletary orated, a group of Iroquois living with the Flathead tribe in Montana had heard of the Christian religion and wished to be educated in it. They made their way to St. Louis to request a religious leader, but half their party died along the way. Word was spread in St. Louis of the "savages" from the West seeking salvation and enlightenment. A newsletter was printed by the American Board (a Christian organization) informing the public of this event, and a new chapter in U. S. history was opened. It became the goal of religious people everywhere to move West and save souls.
Throughout the presentation, Singletary discussed in detail people, places and events that comprised this era. He spoke of Spokane Garry, a Spokane tribe member who had interpreted and integrated Christian beliefs with traditional native ones. He discussed Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, who met their end in a tragic way at a mission they built. Singletary also threw in facts about locally famous people, such as Oscar Canfield, the man who named Canfield Mountain.
Pictures were displayed by a projector at the front of the room. A color picture of Cataldo Mission was shown, followed by a photo of the inside of the building.
Artistically, every inch of this building is incredible," Singletary said of Idaho's oldest building. He plans to take students to the mission to discuss the history and architecture.
"North Idaho: Connections to the Past" will continue through April. For information, visit cdalibrary.org.
"The Missionary Connection," the fourth in the free spring history series "North Idaho: Connections to the Past," took place in the basement of the library. Singletary, regional historian and retired NIC instructor, began the evening with his trademark "floodlight view" on the program's topic. He spoke of The Second Great Awakening:
"There was a major movement to distrust, move away from, strong authoritative and religious organizations," he said. The Second Great Awakening differed from The First Great Awakening in some ways; in the First, conventional religion gripped Colonial America and people congregated with enthusiasm. The Second was a movement to stray from traditional Christian beliefs, and as a result more denominations with different ideas began to surface.
In the early 1800s, revolutions occurred nonstop. The United States was in the midst of a scientific and technological enlightenment. Art, literature and music began to be perceived in a new light. The Industrial Revolution was to change the face of the county forever, introducing the iron pony (the railroad). In the 1830s, Singletary said, there were only 11 miles of railroad in the United States.
"By 1860," he said, "if rail lines were spaghetti, from the East Coast to the Mississippi looked like a plate of spaghetti."
This all relates to one of the most prominent factors involved in the history of this area: the arrival of the missionaries.
"All of this movement ties together to tell us what was going on in the big scene," Singletary said.
The missionary movement began close to our area. As the story goes, Singletary orated, a group of Iroquois living with the Flathead tribe in Montana had heard of the Christian religion and wished to be educated in it. They made their way to St. Louis to request a religious leader, but half their party died along the way. Word was spread in St. Louis of the "savages" from the West seeking salvation and enlightenment. A newsletter was printed by the American Board (a Christian organization) informing the public of this event, and a new chapter in U. S. history was opened. It became the goal of religious people everywhere to move West and save souls.
Throughout the presentation, Singletary discussed in detail people, places and events that comprised this era. He spoke of Spokane Garry, a Spokane tribe member who had interpreted and integrated Christian beliefs with traditional native ones. He discussed Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, who met their end in a tragic way at a mission they built. Singletary also threw in facts about locally famous people, such as Oscar Canfield, the man who named Canfield Mountain.
Pictures were displayed by a projector at the front of the room. A color picture of Cataldo Mission was shown, followed by a photo of the inside of the building.
Artistically, every inch of this building is incredible," Singletary said of Idaho's oldest building. He plans to take students to the mission to discuss the history and architecture.
"North Idaho: Connections to the Past" will continue through April. For information, visit cdalibrary.org.
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