Dates of Operation: 1902–1968
Current Diocese: Boise
Religious Orders who worked at the Parish / School:
Jesuits (West Province), 1902–1958*
Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton, IN (now Congregation of St. Joseph), 1902–1904
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (Los Angeles Province), 1904–1968 (see notes)*
On a Reservation: Nez Perce Reservation
On the Department of the Interior List: Yes
Tribal Nations Impacted (as listed in historical documents):
Lapwai; Nez Perce
Notes: In 1902, St. Joseph’s Mission School opened as a boarding school, and by 1915 began accepting orphans. In 1928, St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Pocatello, Idaho, closed, and the children were moved to St. Joseph’s. Around this same time, the Sisters of St. Joseph were advised to change the name of the facility to St. Joseph’s Orphanage to encourage more donations. In 1944, the name was changed again to St. Joseph’s Children’s Home because few orphans lived there.
Note about Carondelet Sisters: The Sisters of St. Joseph of Lewiston, ID, took over the school in 1904. In 1925, they joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (now the Los Angeles Province).