Windows are etched with images depicting Lakota concepts of the spirit world

As the services grew in popularity, I remember commenting to Fr. John Hatcher, SJ, Center director at the time, that the little white chapel was becoming too small for us. He replied, “Well, do something about it.” I made a motion at the next board meeting to build a larger
chapel, one that would complement the environs. The board responded by selecting me to coordinate the whole affair. All agreed that we wanted a place where the Lakota Oyate (people) could feel comfortable worshipping in both phases of their spiritual life: Lakota rituals and Catholicism.We also agreed on designing an octagonal building that would allow us to worship in the round.

We broke ground for the new chapel in 2000, an occasion made possible with funding from the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, the Catholic Extension Society, and private donations – and the involvement of many more people moved by the Holy Spirit and working in special collaboration to make the new chapel a welcoming place.