St. Joseph's-Twin Buttes

2:00 P.M. Central Time.

Four staunch Mandar Indian Catholics began the Catholic church in what is now Twin Buttes.  They were Crows Heart, Medicine Stone, Dick Burr, and Charley Burr.  They began a log church, believing that it would convert their neighbors.  The building however, remained roofless until Father Paul (Conrad) Lotter finished the chapel in 1921.  It was called St. Michael's at Crows Heart Landing.


In 1928, an Extension Society grant made it possible to build a new 18 foot by 25 foot building, which was renamed St. Joseph's.  Mass was held once a month, and attendance was good, considering that it took some people all day to walk to and from church  As the parish grew, the church building was expanded.

In 1952, St. Joseph's had to be relocated.  Father Reinhard Kaufman chose a spot south of the old Elbowoods bridge site.  Even though the church was close to Mandaree, the water of the Garrison Dam separated the two.

In 1971, Father Louis Pfaller, a prominent history expert who cared for the mission for many years, decided the church needed to be in the closest town, Twin Buttes.  The Extension Society provided $10,000 for a new metal building, which not only serves as the church but also as a catechetical and social center. 

Since then the church and property has gone through more upgrades and will continue to do so.