Harropian Books

[Ktunaxa Nation] Photo of Kootenay Indians at St. Eugene Mission w. Father Coccola

Unknown Photographer

n.p., circa 1898. Mounted Photograph. A striking photograph, capturing an ephemeral glimpse of a large group of Ktunaxa people gathered in front of the St. Eugene Mission Church, just outside of Cranbrook, British Columbia. The Priest Nicholas Coccola stands at the far right. We note the "1897" dates on the pillars of the front wall of the Church, the lack of a statue in the front wall statue niche between the Cross and the front door, and the unfinished entranceway sidewalk in the photo, so date it to circa 1898, shortly after the Church was opened to worship on Palm Sunday in 1898. The photo measures 4-5/8 inches x 6-5/8 inches wide and is pasted onto its original gray stock mount measuring 7 x 8.75 inches wide, which in turn, is hinged onto a later plain white matte, also measuring 7 x 8.75 inches wide. The photo is unsigned and slightly faded, but altogether, remains an amazing documentary image. Very Good. Item #5470

"Father Coccola became known as the "miner priest" and he used the profits [from the sale of the mine] to construct a hospital and a new gothic church in the St. Eugene Mission as well as another church in Moyie. Throughout the next decade the St. Eugene Mine produced more than $10,000,000 in ore and was the catalyst for the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company, later known as Cominco" wiki.

Price: $725.00 CAD  other currencies