The Coeur d’ Alene’s Old Mission State Park spotlights the oldest building in Idaho. The Mission of the Sacred Heart was constructed between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sacred Heart Mission and the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park provide an educational experience not found anywhere else, giving visitors an opportunity to examine the dynamics and complexities between Jesuit missionaries and the tribal people among whom they settled in a beautiful park setting. The park features the Sacred Heart Mission church, a restored Parish House and a historic cemetery.

The visitor center includes a gift shop and a new award-winning exhibition “Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet & the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West” to help tell the fascinating story of the Mission, the Tribe and the missionaries.

Located near the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, one of the most spectacular biking trails in the Western United States, the Mission is an excellent place to stop for the day while on the trail, a wonderful place to view Idaho history and architecture and one of the most beautiful locations for a wedding and reception.