Lakeport Church - O.T. #23 Traditional Cache
sdgal: can't do this anymore
Lakeport Church - O.T. #23
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is #23 of the Oyate Trail Geocache series. Starting just north of Sioux City, the Oyate Trail follows Highways 50 and 18 along the southern border of South Dakota all the way to Edgemont. There are 110 geocaches spaced approximately every 3 miles along the trail. These caches are numbered from east to west, #1 to #110.
The first 50 geocachers to find and log at least 100 of the 110 caches along the trail are eligible for an Official Oyate Trail Geocaching Coin. To apply for your coin, email Charlie @ saltcamp@gwtc.net with all 100 + codes that you will find in the upper right corner of the cache log. These codes must be in order, #1 to #110 for example: 1D, 2O, 3N, 4T, etc. Include your name and address so if the codes are correct, Charlie can send you your coin.
The cache is located across the road south of the Lakeport church. This location is nine miles west of Yankton on Highway 50, then a half-mile north and a half-mile west through a farmyard.
LAKEPORT CHURCH:
For over 125 years, the Lakeport Church has withstood tornadoes, disrepair and even arson.
It’s the little church that refuses to die. The distinctive chalkrock structure — officially known as St. John the Baptist Catholic Church — no longer serves a parish or has regular Mass. But descendants of early members along with other interested persons still celebrate the church’s anniversaries.
The church opened in 1884, serving the German and Czech settlers. The town of Lakeport was located about two miles east of the church.
The parish filled a void for local Catholics. When it came to building the Lakeport Church, early settlers were forced to be creative. The land was platted, and in 1882 they started building. It took them two years to build the church. Since the church was located on a barren, treeless prairie, the church members used chalkrock that was quarried from the riverbank straight south of here.
Lakeport was assigned a priest until 1903. After that, the church’s members eventually joined parishes in Tabor, Lesterville or Yankton. At that time, the Lakeport Church was abandoned and left to Mother Nature. For a time, Henry Adam of Tabor maintained the church and grounds on his own. Even with his care, the church deteriorated over the years. Locals feared the church would be torn down.
Eventually with the help of a South Dakota Historical Society grant, repairs were made to the Lakeport Church. Now, annual masses are held to honor the church, and it continues to be maintained. The annual Masses draw 50 to 150 people.
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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