A pioneer missionary in northwestern Ontario, Baraga was born near Dobrni (Yugoslavia) and ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1823. Seven years later he came to the United States as the first missionary sponsored by the Leopoldine Society of Vienna. After studying Ojibwa, he served congregations in present-day Michigan and Wisconsin, working tirelessly among ettlers, Indians and fur traders. Baraga soon extended his ministry to the area north of Lakes Huron and Superior. Appointed a bishop in 1853, he became responsible for Jesuit and Indian missions from Bruce Mines to Fort William (Thunder Bay). He visited Sault Ste. Marie regularly and in 1862 this chapel was built under his charge. A skilled linguist, Baraga produced an Ojibwa grammar and dictionary which are still used today.

Location

Algoma, Goulais Bay, on the grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Goulais First Nation, Mission Road, off Highway 552 West, (15 km west of Highway 17)

Themes

• Communities
• First Nations
• Fur trade
• People
• Religion