The Butte daily miner., 1886-01-01
xEyHoDIsx IN MONTANA.
An Historical sheteh Of the Protestant
Missionary Pioneer.
[By the Rev. W. +. Eing.I

The Methodist Episcopal Church was
the first Protestant body to enter Mon
taml Territory in an organized form.
The first sermon, believe, preached i'll
Montana was by William james, a local
preacher,at junction, ,inA Aldertiulch below
Virginia City. Madison County, in June
Of 1864, who organized the first Sabbath
school at the same place, with Elijah
Harris as Sunday School Superintendent.
He also built Il little log church here.
Rev. Hugh Duncan, now pastor at Glen
dale, preached in Junction July 90, 1864.
The history Of Mcthodism in all organ
lied form properly begins in September
of 1864, when the Rev. 4. NJ. Hough, of
Lexington Avenue NJ. i. Church, New
York City, a talented and eloquent
minister, now Of Los Angeles, California,
was appointed superintendent of mis-
sions by Bishop Clark. At Atchison,
Kansas, he with his wife was detained
on account Of Indian raids. The coach
on which he was to have come to this
Territory, was captured by the Indians
this devoted man and woman belong the
honors Of the first Protestant mission
aries to Montana.
They arrived at Virginia City, Madison
County, in September of 1864, and he
Immediately entered upon the duties of
minister, BY organizing Il society, and
building log church on Coover Street.
He built the first parsonage, going him
self to the mountains, cutting and pre-
pairing the logs for it. Here he was
superbly happy, when he could sit down
in his own parsonage, with a beef hide
for carpet, and muslin for window
lights, and gave thanks to Almighty God
for His providential care. He remained
ut Virginia City two years, and i'll 1866
moved to Helena, where he stayed two
Years. In July of1S6S he was compelled
to seek Il more congenial cline for his
wife, who was fast losing her health.
The second missionary to Montana was
the Rev. William Mclaughlin, who was
appointed to Helena in 1865, and
preached the first sermon in that city
from a pile of logs, from which were
erected the first church in Helena. In
1865 he was stationed at Diamond City.
In 1866, the Rev. James King was sent
as the third missionary to this Territory
and located at Virginia City. Here lie
began the building of a frame church
and raised over 1000 for it's completion.
For some reason or another he became
discouraged and suddenly left, and has
never been heard ofsince. A mechanics
lien sold the building, and before the
money could reach Virginia City from
Helena, it was bought by Bishop Tuttle,
of the Protestant Episcopal Church for a
small sum, and is still in use by that
church. The Rev. George Comfort was
the fourth missionary to Montana, and
reached Virginia City, June l, 1868, and
June 10, 1868, was appointed pastor Of
Helena and built church ut cost of
S1O,75O, carrying debt of 81 600 on the
church himself for some time. From
Helena he went to Virginia City, and
places throughout Montana. Among
them, Sheridan, Beaver Head, Madison
and Bitter Root Valley, also Fish Creek,
Silver Star and Upper Willow Creek.
In 1870 he returned to New York, and
in 1879 was again identified with the
Montana work and is still here working
for the Master and Presiding Elder of
the Helena District. In June of 1870
the Rev. ]. 4. VanAuda was appointed