About UsVirtual Tour
Click on a red arrow to visit a particular section of the Fort Snelling
Memorial Chapel.
Stained Glass Window Set 2
These stained glass windows are dedicated to pioneer missionaries who reduced the Dakota Language to writing; and, especially to the memory of Gideon and Samuel Pond.
In the fall of 1831, Samuel and Gideon joined the Congregational Church n Washington, Connecticut, and decided to commit themselves to the work of the Lord. Both men possessed practical skills, which helped them in the mission field they were about to enter. Samuel had taught school and was a farmer while Gideon was a carpenter.
Samuel left first, and when he heard about the “heathen Indians”, he sent for Gideon and they left for the Dakota country near Fort Snelling. When they arrived, Rev. Boutwell, Missionary to the Ojibway said, “These dear brothers. who from the love of Christ and the poor red man, had to come to this long neglected field.”
In 1834, they worked on an Indian alphabet, and the first Indian to learn to read was Mazardhamani, and he was soon able to write.
Samuel wrote to his home church saying God has prepared the way, and here is a large field, ripe already to the harvest. I ask all our Christian friends to send forth laborers”. As a result of this letter, Dr. T. Williamson and Alex Huggins arrived in 1835. Another missionary, J. Stevens built a mission and school house on the northwest shore of Lake Harriet.
The Ponds accomplishments were impressive, and they probably knew more about the Dakota then any other white persons in the 19th century; as they spoke their language and were keen observers of their economic, social, and religious institutions. This knowledge helped to give them insights into the deeper spiritual truth of the love of their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Information from two books (written by Samuel Pond ) Two Volunteer Missionaries
among the Dakota and The Dakota or Sioux in Minnesota as They Were in 1834:
and an introduction by Gary Anderson.
