Lapwai, Idaho – The United Methodist Church and the Nez Perce Tribe (“Tribe”) hosted a “Land Return Celebration” to formally recognize the transfer of ownership to the Tribe of the historic church and property located on Highway 95, north of Lapwai. Following a failed attempt to establish a church on the Nez Perce Reservation in the late 1800s, the Lapwai United Methodist Church was established in 1910 near Tom Beal Road. After the first church burnt down, the present sanctuary was erected in the early 1920s on two acres of land donated by Mrs. Ellen F. Kane and her husband, John Kane, on July 31, 1924.
Attending the celebration were Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth and Rev. Dr. Allen Buck of the Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church, other representatives of the Pacific Northwest Conference, the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, and members of the church representing not only themselves but all the families that were members of the church in the past or that have passed on.
The Nez Perce drum Wap’qaqaan opened and closed the ceremony, while Rev. Dr. Mary Jane Miles, Chaplain of the Nez Perce Tribe, provided the opening prayer. In addition to speakers, such as Douglas Marconi, who spoke of the history of the church, Dr. Angel Sobotta spoke a Nez Perce-translated prayer, and Nez Perce hymns were sung by the Talmaks Choir. LeRoy Seth also shared reflections on being baptized at the church as a child. The ceremony ended with a fellowship meal on the church’s lawn.
Overall, many names of current and past members were shared throughout the ceremony, along with important memories and milestones. A box of historical church records, including baptismal documentation, was returned to the Nez Perce Tribe.
“The celebration signified an important moment to share together this important gift from the United Methodist Church,” stated Shannon F. Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. “The history and importance of this property in the community is deep and rich, and we hope to continue that legacy by using the property and facilities to serve the needs of the people. Over the past year, the property has provided space for emergency response to wildfires and dangerous weather and now serves as the home of our opioid response,” concluded Wheeler.
The Land Return Celebration honored not only the past but also the enduring relationship between the Nez Perce Tribe and the United Methodist Church – and the shared hope that the site will continue to serve as a place of care, gathering, and remembrance for generations to come.
The Nez Perce, also known as the Nimi’ipuu, is a Native American tribe with a rich history and culture. They traditionally inhabit the area around the Snake River in what is now Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. They are a federally recognized tribe with over 3,500 enrolled citizens headquartered in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation. To learn more, visit nezperce.org/about/.
