Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-02-18
The Presbyterian Church.

The tradition is current that the first
Protestant sermon preached in Mon
tana was delivered by a Presbyterian
clergyman. who came upon the first
steamer that reached Fort Benton. His
congregation consisted of a few white
| traders who resided at the post and some
| half-breeds and Indians as we'll as the
boats crew. The next Presbyterian min
lister who visited this region was the Rev.
George D. Smith, now in Pennsylvania.
He arrived in Bannock in 1864 and itin-
| Grated between Bannock, Virginia City
| and adjoining camps. He left the terri
tory in the year 1866. Passing through
Fort Benton and Helena he preached
the gospel Of the kingdom in
both Of these places. In August,
1869, that enterprising and indefatigable
missionary, Rev. Sheldon Jackson, now
superintendent of education in Alaska,
was appointed superintendent OF mis-
sions in the territory. He visited Helena,
and there organic ed a small Presbyterian
| SOCIttS. az tlC1C hoSS hot uPPS"A Y"
have been either elders elected, or any
promise Of pastoral care, there can be
little surprise that it disbanded in a short
time. 1t was not until June II, 1872, that
the Presbytery of Montana was consti-
tuted in accordance with an order OF the
general assembly OF that same year. This
rresbytery was connected with the synod
of Colorado until May, 1888, when the
general assembly formed the synod of
Utah, which includes the Presbyteries OF
Utah, Montana and Wood River.
The Presbytery of Montana consists Of
20 ministers and 20 churches, with a total
membership of nearly 1000.
PROGRESS IN NoRTERN MONTANA.
Having thus dealt briefly with the
growth of Presbyterianism in Montana,
we will now refer to the growth OF the
church in northern Montana : more
especially at Great Falls. 1t was in June,
1886, that the Rev. E. P. Linnel, accom-
panied by. the Rev. f. V. Moore, of
Helena, surveyed" Great Falls. Being
fully convinced of the grand possibilities
of the village and of the future prospect
ty of the whole s%ection,t they decided to or
ganize a church. Having awakened re-
ligious ardor, an application for organiza-
ton was numerously signed. In answer
to that application a church covenant was
drawn up and endorsed by Is persons,
coinciding in number with the IL original
states of the Union, and no doubt like
them the churches here are likewise pre-
destined unto exalted privileges and "full-
ness of blessing"
The Rev. Jesse C. Wilson, a young
minister of faithful spirit and feryent
zeal, was placed in temporary charge Of
the field, and on the 10Th OF August the
writer came from the Presbytery of Puget
Sound to undertake the work. In the
spring of 1887 arrangements were made
for building the first church in this new
city. Trustees were elected and duly in
corporated. Lots were selected from
those kindly placed at their disposal by
the Townsite Company, but owing to the
great demand thatsprung up for building
material and the long freightage at that
time, it was not until late in he summer
that the present building was fully under
way. Finally the building was finished,
ana on the 2Sth of August bright, clear
Sabbath day-the Rev. D. ]. Mcmillan,
president of Montana College, Deer
Lodge, opened the church amid general
felolclngs. The total cost OF the church
was $4,000, of which sum $500 was kindly
given by John S. Kennedy, OF New York.
The blouse Of Hope" Sunday school, St.
Paul, Mimi, also generously raised 1920,
and other friends in that city sent some
$50. All of this shows forth practical
faith, hope and charity in regard
to the church in Great Falls. So much
for the past. What about the present?
The present condition of affairs is
healthful. A ladies' society has been Or
ganized bearing on its eseutcheon "good-
WILL" and already it has done good work.
A vigorous Sabbath school with some 90
members gladden. the hearts Of pastor,
teachers and visitors with their western
like brightness and vivacity. Over these
plains, where the buffalo roamed and the
cayote held carnival, now ring out clear
as 'ssilver bells across the snow" the
voices of merry children, singing
singing to Christ their king. At pres
ent the church has seven trustees
and three elders, with a membership of
20, and we are rejoiced with the prospect