St. Basil Church, Mossman, South Dakota
Posted by: 
NGComets
N 45° 02.173 W 100° 53.626
14T E 350836 N 4988718
Built on the Cheyenne Indian Reservation in 1917. Sign erected in 1974.
Waymark Code: WMF8GT
Location: South Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 09/10/2012
Views: 6
This church, now a wayside chapel is located on US Highway 212 near Ridgeview, South Dakota.
There are no longer regular services held here but the cemetery is still being used for internments of local.
Marker Name: St. Basil's Church, Mossman, South Dakota
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker Text:
St. Basil's Church was built in 1917 by the children and freinds of Mountainman Basil Claymore. constructed in the French tradition of a family chapel it served as a Catholic church. Father John Vogel was the first priest to officiate at this location. Only two weddings were held here -- Louise Claymore and Cyrus Hiett in October 1917 and Josephine Claymore and Leo O'Neal in May 1921. funds for construction were donated by the local families involved and in 1920 a Swiss bell was purchased to resound over the prairie calling all to Mass. The bell was stolen in 1933 and in 1934 a movement was begun to relocate the church in Ridgeview. The original families objected and the church remained, although Mass was no longer held.
The church became a familiar landmark and the cemetery continued to be used. During the bad blizzards of 1949 and 1950 the sanctuary served as a haven for stranded travelers who were able to keep from freezing by burning some of the pews. During the 1950's vandals began to demolish the building and by 1973 it stood in danger of complete destruction until friends started the renovation of is as a non-denominational road chapel.
The church has long been visited by artists and photographers and there are numerous paintings and photos of "The Little Prairie Church" throughout the country.
|
Visit Instructions:
A photo of the 'Marker' or 'Plaque' is required to identify the location, plus a picture of the 'Historic Site'. If you do not post a photo your log will be deleted.