Restarting an old tradition, the D’Aste Women’s Service Group has scheduled a holiday bazaar for Saturday, November 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Charlo Senior Citizen Center. This fundraiser will fund restoration of the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of D’aste, listed in the National Register of Historic Places since March 19, 1999. The bazaar offers a wonderful selection of homemade delights from baked goods and caramels to soaps and other gift items. Sales consultants from well-known home-
based businesses, such as doTERRA, Thirty-one Gifts, and Jamberry Nails, will also have tables. Vendor space is still available; call Jennie at 360-8051 to reserve a table. Baked goods and hot coffee are also available. There is a raffle for a giant stocking full of gifts, 1/2 pig cut and wrapped, 50 lb hamburger, and a basket w/ a handmade rug. Tickets available 1 for $5, 3 for $10 and 10 for $20. The drawing will be held on December 22nd.

The service group celebrated its 100th anniversary since being formed in 1917, when wrapping bandages during World War I was one of the main functions of the group. Over the years, the members served the community by providing meals for funerals and other get-togethers. A lot of money was also raised for school class trips and for families in need. Today, the group has three extremely dedicated individuals working to ensure the church building, built in 1916, continues to exist.


The history of the D’Aste townsite at Dublin Gulch, which is located off of Highway 212, is linked to a lot of families that still reside in the area. The sight of the lone building tugs at the heart calling to
mind families that celebrated the start of their lives together at wedding services, laid their loved ones to rest with funeral services, and gathered to pray at this country church. The last Mass was said there in 1978, and the Helena Diocese transferred the title to the nonprofit D’Aste Women’s Service Group in 1998. The group has renovated the building and grounds over the years making it still available for weddings and other celebrations.


The proceeds from Saturday’s fundraiser will go towards repainting the church in the spring, as well as making other improvements to the grounds. The group meets bi-monthly and is open to membership for those would like to preserve this piece of Mission Valley history. Call Jennie Youngren at 360-8051 or Jamie Bauer at 644-8776 for further information.