Dates of Operation: 1888–1896
Current Diocese: Yakima
Previous Diocese Involved:
Nesqually, 1888–1896
Religious Orders who worked at the Parish / School:
Sisters of Providence (formerly Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor), 1888–1896*
Jesuits (West Province), 1888–1896*
On a Reservation: North Yakama Agency
On the Department of the Interior List: No
Tribal Nations Impacted (as listed in historical documents):
Yakama

Notes: In 1875, a priest living in Yakima City built a school. The Sisters of Providence were asked to staff the school, which was called St. Joseph Academy. In 1887 and 1888, the sisters purchased property in North Yakima and moved the school there. In 1888, they began teaching Yakama children. The sisters did not assign the Yakama ministry a name in their records and saw it as a division of St. Joseph’s Academy rather than a separate school. Externally, the school was known as St. Francis Xavier, most likely named such by the Jesuits who ran the parish. In 1896, the sisters received word that their government contract was canceled and the school closed. St. Joseph’s Academy continued to operate until 1969.