| 40th
year for Holy Cross/St. Mary's Parish Dinner
Lordy, lordy look who’s 40! For forty years, the community of Keuterville has hosted the annual Holy Cross / St. Mary’s parish dinner. Every year in February, you can count on the scents of roast beef, ham, homemade potatoes, rolls and desserts wafting from the parish hall. This year the tradition continues Sunday, February 26, 2017, from 11am to 4pm. Keuterville is a small community with a rich history tucked away in the foothills of the Cottonwood Butte. Holy Cross Chapel has the claim of fame of being the first Catholic Church on the Camas Prairie. Building began in 1885 and finished in 1886, the first structure measuring 26 x 36 feet and 16 feet high. Having a Catholic church in the area enticed many Catholic German farmers to immigrate to the area from the Midwest states. Initially the church was a Jesuit mission called “St. Peter’s”. When the bishop at the time blessed the new building, it became “Sacred Heart Church”. In 1897, a second church was built but burned down May 1911. The same year the dedicated parishioners built a third building, which is the current church we use today. When it came time to bless the new church, the bishop claimed there were too many Sacred Heart Churches in the diocese, and renamed the church “Holy Cross”. In 1997 Holy Cross parish combined with St. Mary’s parish of Cottonwood in order to share the same priest. Today, the beautiful, historic building is used for weddings and funerals and special occasions throughout the year. We have been very lucky in recent years to have Sunday evening Mass throughout the summer, starting Memorial Day and running through Labor Day. One-hundred-six years later, Keuterville residents and other parishioners from across the Prairie enjoy using the old church. They appreciate the beauty of the antique altars which were made in Germany and shipped to Idaho. Sitting in the pews gives you a sense of a more ornate era, when quality and craftsmanship were valued. February 26th, take a Sunday drive to Keuterville and come celebrate our 40th year! Enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the Seven Devils; meet up with some friends; play some Bingo; win a raffle prize; and enjoy a homemade dinner. Your support will help maintain this charming and nostalgic structure. Keuterville is one of the hidden treasures in the rich history of Idaho County, don’t miss out! Sunday, Feb. 26 11am-4pm Adults $9.00 Grades 1-6 $4.00 Kindergarten/Preschool Free 
Holy Cross Church under the arc of a rainbow. The 40th annual Holy Cross/St. Mary’s Dinner is set for Sunday, Feb. 26 at Keuterville. The Dinner is a fundraiser for upkeep of the Church. Photo provided by Maureen Munger. |
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