The church was designed by an unknown architect with Carpenter Gothic, Eastlake, and Shingle Style influences and constructed in 1888 with funding from Saint Katharine Drexel. Drexel, a wealthy heiress turned nun, led missionary efforts in Native American and African American communities. According to the congregation, the history of the mission symbolizes an “uneasy alliance” and “cultural clash” between 19th-century Native American communities and Christian missionaries. Through education, the U.S. government intended for English to replace native languages. Yet, while missionaries at St. Francis Xavier taught school in English, they preached in the Crow language. By 1891, Jesuit missionaries had baptized about half of the reservation’s Crow population.

Today, 95 percent of the congregation is Native American. St. Francis Xavier, now governed by the Capuchin order, recognizes its uneasy past and works to actively celebrate Crow culture. St. Labre Catholic Indian Schools run a prekindergarten through 8th grade school out of the church, serving 140 Crow children, and the church runs feeding programs and provides backpack meals for students. Crow language and culture are critical parts of the curriculum. The school has improved the quality of education and served as a major source of employment in the area.

Through a National Fund grant of $177,500 and $355,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation, St. Francis Xavier will address needed structural and roof repairs for the church and construct a new foundation for the rectory, also built in 1888. These projects will complete the full restoration of the church and transform the rectory into a visitor center that can also be used for community meetings and volunteer activities.