The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-01
schools, Churches. Hospitals.

Schools, Churches. Hospitals.
But while Helena has been progressing
in material things, the advancement has
been Just as rapid in those matters which
indicate growth in all that goes to make
cultured and refined people. Ten years ago
George p. Reeves was county superinten-
toned to the city schools was 1928 20.
There were 1.79o children in the county.
The school board consisted of Il. w. Knight,
I. =. Fuller and Cornelius Hedges.
There were two schools III Helena, with II.
II. Howey as superintendent, assisted BY
nine teachers. The session Just closed
found LOCO scholars enrolled in the city
schools, with II. g. Young as superintend-
ent, assisted by thirty-two teachers. In
! place of two buildings we now have nine,
while the old ones have been more than
doubled in capacity. In addition to the
public schools there are three church
schools. st. Peters Parish school, (Episco-
| pal, and st. Aloysius school for boys and st.
Vincent's academy tCatholic). There are
two prosperous business colleges. the Helena
| and Montana, Miss Bohn,S private school
and a kindergarten.
This year there will be added $1OO, 600 in
improvements to the public school build
ings, the Episcopal school will have the in
creased accommodations demanded, and
the Wesleyan University, under the control
Of the Methodist church, will open for stu
dents this fall.
Tep years ago FIVE religious societies
were organized in Helena-Catholio, Epis-
copaiian, Presbyterian, Baptist and Metho-
dist. The membership was very limited
and they were all missionary churches in
the church goer can have his choice of a
dozen places of worship, and unless he goes
early will have difficulty in obtaining seat.
| The folio wing facts about the city churches
will be found of interest in making the COM
parison with ten years ago.
The Catholic church was organized in
Helena in 1866 with Father Kuppan, s. j.,
as pastor; ten years ago L. b. Palladino
was the pastor. The value of the church
property to-day is $4,000 and the church
membership about 5000.
In 1867 the Episcopal church was organ
in 1879. Ten years ago NJ. N. Gilbert
was the rector and Bishop Tuttle
in charge of the diocese. Then the men,
bership was limited, but now it is about
42O, and the value of the church property
$35, 900. Plans are now on foot to build q
large and handsome cathedral. +. Il. Webb
| is the present rector and Bishop Brewer has
charge of the diocese.
The organization of the Methodist Epis-
| oopal Church South dates from 1870, w. l..
Blackwell being the first pastor. The pres
emit membership is Is, "a of whom have
pastor, d. B. Price. The value of the prop
ertv is $1,000
The first church organized in Helena was
the Methodist Episcopal, in 1864, with A.
M. HouRh as pastor. Ten years ago the
membership was small but since then it
and handsome church, st. Paul's, was built,
while there are two missions attached to
the church. The value of the church prop
erty is $4,000, and A. D. Raleigh is the
pastor.
Ten years ago the coming December the
one members: In 1885 handsome church
was built. The present membership is III,
and the value Of church property $50, 600.
Rev. @. ,. Allen. Jr.,. is the pastor.
The church has one mission.
1 1ss ssi oRse ss s Hosse
mission church, and 30 remained
until this year. 1t has grown and pros
pered, and commencing Sept. l the church
here will pay its pastors salary and other
property. valued at $i2, 600: but should the
present membership of 100 continue to grow
for the next year or two as it has the past
two, larger edifice will be demanded. Rev.
F. D. Kelsey is the pastor.
LIS OutlsgiAH CuurCH was organized IN
1866, Rev. Mr.. Campbell being the first
pastor. The church has grown and pros
pered until now it has total membership
of 100, and church property valued ut
$3O, 600; Rev. G.. X. Berry is the present
pastor.
in 1866, with Rev. Mr.. Russell as its first
pastor. Ten years ago Rev. g. G. Smith
was the pastor. Since then the church has
grown and prospered. 80 that to day there
are two churches of that denomination in
Helena with total membership of 800.
Rev. I. Y; Moore is the pastor of Che parent
church, which is now building beautiful
church to cost $4,000. Rev. j. G. Quinn is
the pastor of the Second Presbyterian
church.
The German Methodists also have an or
ganization in Helena, with a membership
OF about fifty, and church property valued
In 1888 st. James A, M. Z. church was or
ganized with membership of five, Rev. s.
b. Jones being the pastor. About n year
afterward n church editce was constructed
and dedicated by Bishop Brown. The mem
bership at present is twenty-one, and the
church property valued at $4,000, with an
Indebtedness of $1,000.
Last March the Scandinavian Lutheran
church was organized, and now has men,
bership Of 100. The society has already
purchased a lot on which to build, and be-
loio Ulc 6AIuMol ~ over announcer C0ufCl Will
be added to those now in the city. Rev. N
Boo is the pastor.
Helena has two hospitals to-day, capable
of accommodating eighty five patients,
where ten years ago it had none. st. Johns,
| under the auspices of the Catholic church,
was organized in 1884, and shortly after
st. Peters was started, being fostered
by the Episcopal church. Each
hospital is admirably located.
for the purpose, being on elevations over
looking the city and surrounding country.
Their aggregate value is $4,000.
Secret and Other Societies.
To-day man can find in Helena organ
lied bodies representing almost every order
in the United States. Ten years ago the
Masons and Odd Fellows alone had lodges,