St. Paul's Mission

St. Paul's Mission is a restored log church building in Washington positioned on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The structure displays hand-finished timber construction typical of 19th century building practices.

French and Belgian priests established this mission post in 1838 and held the first mass in 1839. The building was completely rebuilt after suffering fire damage in 1910.

The site reflects how two different spiritual worlds met and interacted through missionary work. You can sense how indigenous beliefs and Christian teachings coexisted in this place.

The site sits west of present-day town on elevated terrain with river views below. Best visiting conditions occur during warmer months when access paths are in good condition.

The building was actually relocated from its original position and reconstructed after fire destroyed the initial structure. This relocation, though often overlooked, was key to its long-term preservation.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 48.62640,-118.10700

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44