History:     
On 15 of June, 1949, the Bureau Indian Affairs granted the Catholic Bishop of Reno permission to use an acre of land at the Stewart Indian School in Stewart, Nevada, to use as a mission and school. Later that year, with the help of Native American stone masons Joe Burkeheart and Randy Wungnema, construction commenced on a 2900 square foot building. The design of the new church was by Ferris & Erskine, Architects. By May of next year, the church was ready, and the first mass was celebrated by Bishop T.K. Gorman.

Stone for the church was taken from the Federal quarry east of Carson City. The church owes its unique look to the fact that the inside mortar was mixed with brick dust, and the outside mortar was mixed with coal dust.

From 1950-1968, priests stationed at St. Gall in Gardnerville served Corpus Christi, and the church was considered to be part of the parish of St. Gall . Among those serving was Father Labourie. It wasn’t until March of 1968 that Corpus Christi got its first regular priest, Father Bernard Sheerin, S.J., who was also a chaplain for the Nevada State Prison. With Father Sheerin’s arrival, Corpus Christi became affiliated with St. Teresa of Avila in Carson City.

In June of 1968 Father James A. McGrath arrived, becoming the first pastor of the new Corpus Christi parish in 1982. He was joined in 1981 by Father Seamus Hatton as associate pastor.

In 1969 a well and septic system were installed on the property, and nine years later a 1,960 square foot used steel building from Gabbs was erected on the site as the parish hall. In 1979, a double-wide mobile home was purchased as a rectory/office. Previously, Father McGrath lived in a large tool shed, which is now converted as the CCD office!

In 1980, Stewart Indian School closed after 89 years. In September of 1981, the Bureau of Indian Affairs notified Bishop McFarland by letter that their use permit had been revoked. Corpus Christi was given 30 days to vacate the premises!