Lapwai Mission

Henry Harmon Spalding established Idaho’s earliest mission near here on Nov. 29, 1836, at a site chosen by the Nez Perce Indians. Ever since they met Lewis and Clark in 1805-6, the Nez Perce had wanted to find out more about the white mans ways. In 1831 a Nez Perce delegation went all the way to St. Louis, where they saw Clark again and asked for teachers. Spalding came west to answer their call: with Indian help, a house and assembly hall were built in 24 days, and in two months Mrs. Spalding started a mission school. In 1838 the mission was moved north to the Clearwater.

Idaho · United States