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Mission Statement:

The purpose for maintaining the archives is to 
centralize, organize, preserve, protect and make available 
the records and materials which pertain to 
the origin, history, spirit and growth of the 
Community of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID.

I.  Our History:

Our community was founded in 1882 by three sisters who came from the Benedictine Monastery in Sarnen, Switzerland. San Andreas monastery in Sarnen was founded in 1615 from the Benedictine Monastery in Engelberg, Switzerland which dates back to 1120.

Settling first in Oregon and Washington, we ministered to the sick, the poor and to the Native Americans and taught school in various places in Oregon, Washington and Idaho including Gervais, Grande Ronde, Frances, Palouse, Pomeroy, Trent, Spokane, Uniontown, Colton and Genesee.

In 1907 the sisters began to teach in Cottonwood, Idaho. In April 1909 the headquarters of the community was also moved to Cottonwood.  We taught school and ministered in many parishes throughout the Diocese of Boise, including Jerome and Cottonwood, Idaho. We also took charge of the culinary department at St. Martin's Abbey in Lacey, Washington, from 1904-1959, taught at the college there and served in campus ministry.

The new blue porphyry stone convent was dedicated in 1924. In 1927 the original convent became St. Gertrude's Academy.

In 1937 several communities of Benedictine women established the Congregation of St. Gertrude. In 1939 the Idaho Benedictine Sisters joined them.  This association of communities, for mutual support and encouragement in living the Benedictine way, now numbers 18 monasteries and is called The Federation of St. Gertrude.

II. Our Documentary Heritage:

The archives has collections of documents, manuscripts, photographs and artifacts from all aspects of our community life and history.  The following are some of the highlights of our collection.

A.  Early History Collection:  The archives maintains a collection of photographs, correspondence, and other documents from the Sisters earliest years in Colton and Uniontown, Washington.  A special collection of records concerns the establishment of St. Michael's Monastery, a Benedictine men's community that was located in Cottonwood during the early part of the 20th century.  There are also documents concerning Abbot Fortunat Marchand OCSO, a Trappist abbot who is buried in our cemetery.

B.  Manuscripts:  The archives has copies of several community histories written by our sisters over the years.  The "Echo of St. Gertrude's" is a magazine that was published monthly by the community from 1923-1940.  Bound copies are located in the archives.  In addition the archives keeps unpublished yearly "chronicles" of community events from 1882 to the current year.  Copies of various community newsletters are also filed here.

C.  Publications:  Several publications are available in the Archives.

• On the Way, Journey of the Idaho Benedictine Sisters, by Sister Lucille Nachtsheim, OSB.
• Gertrude of Helfta, Companion for the Millennium, by Sister Evangela Bossert, OSB.
• Pioneer Days in Idaho County, Vol. I and II, by Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, OSB.
• Idaho Chinese Lore, by Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, OSB.
• Idaho County's Most Remarkable Character:  Polly Bemis, by Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, OSB.
• The Echo of St. Gertrude's, Printed at St. Gertrude's Printery, Vol. I, 1923-Vol. 15, 1939.
• Idaho Benedictine, by Sister Ildephonse Nuxoll, OSB

III.  Records of our Members:

Each woman who has been a professed member of our community has a file in the archives.  Personal information about the sister's background, work experience, profession documents, her obituary, etc. are filed in the archives.  In addition, copies of any theses, publications or awards are kept in the sisters file.

IV.   Institutions:

A.  Schools:  Our Sisters have taught in schools throughout Idaho and Washington, as well as other states and South America.  Records are kept of each school where the sisters taught, including:

1.  St. Gertrude's Academy and College, Cottonwood, Idaho
2.  St. Maries Academy, (elementary and boarding school). St. Maries, Idaho
3.  St. Scholastica's Academy, Colton, Washington
4.  Parochial schools throughout Idaho and Eastern Washington

B.  Health Care Facilities:  The sisters also sponsored and ministered in several hospitals in Idaho:

1.  Our Lady of Consolation Hospital (now St. Mary's Hospital and Clinics), Cottonwood, Idaho
2.  St. Valentine's Hospital, Wendell, Idaho
3.  St. Benedict's Family Medical Center, Jerome, Idaho

The Archives of St. Gertrude is a charter member of:

• Archivists of Congregations of Women Religious (ACWR).
• Society of American Archivists

V.  Friends and Benefactors:  

The archives also maintains records of other people associated with monastery, including chaplains, employees, builders, boarders and dependents.

For further information, contact

Archives
Monastery of St. Gertrude
465 Keuterville Road
Cottonwood, ID  83522-5183
Phone: (208) 962-5021
Fax: (208) 962-7212
e-mail:  archivesosb@juno.com

VI. Other Records:  

Among other records the archives maintains a collection of records of our community foundation in Colombia, South America, information about The Federation of St. Gertrude, and a variety of other records related to our community history and activities.