First MassJuly 26, 1840
| Location | Beaverhead River, near Red Rock Lake |
|---|---|
| State/Territory | Montana |
| County | Beaverhead County |
| Modern Diocese | Diocese of Helena |
| Historical Diocese | Diocese of Quebec |
| Date | July 26, 1840 |
| Priest | Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J. |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Rite | Roman (Latin) Rite |
| Expedition | De Smet's 1840 Journey West — see the full route, Fr. De Smet's Journey West (1840) → |
| Confidence | confirmed |
Photos
Documentation
Notes
Diocese of Great Falls-Billings own parish history page states "Jesuit Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet answered the call, celebrating the first Mass in Montana on July 26, 1840" -- same date, no location given on their page, but a search of Palladino, SJ "History of Catholicity in Montana" says this Mass was said near the headwaters of Beaverhead River, near Red Rock Lake. This would be along the general route and time of the other first Masses he said in summer 1840.
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