The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-14
CHURCH noNORS
FOUNDER TODAY
Mefh0dists to Hold Service
In Memory Of Rev. T. c.
lift, Pioneer.
BROTHER VAN" HERE
Colleague of Distinguished
Preacher to Talk at
Meeting.
BROTHER VAN" HERE

will hold memorial services today fol-
the late DR.. Thomas Corwin Tiff, who
built the first Methodist church in
western Montana. DR.. Tiff died on
last Washington's birthday
Members of the Methodist church
from all parts of Montana will attend
the services. Addresses will be given
by the following: Rev. w. W. Van
Orsdell, widely known as Brother
Van." DIR. Jacob Mills of Helena, a
veteran of the Civil war. who lost an
arm at the battle Of Winchester. and
DR.. Charles d. Crouch, pastor of the
local church.
An hOnored attendant at the services
Will be Mrs. Emma G. Dickinson, OF
MlssOula, mother of William Q. Dickin
son, and the only surviving member OF
the first Methodist church, established
here by DR.. Tiff in 1871.
First Methodist Church Hers.
The following is a portion Of an ar
ticle on Or. lift taken from Follow
ing Old Trails" written by Dean A. L.
Stone. of the school of journalism at
the State University.
1T was in 1871 that DR.. Tiff came
70 Missoula to live. Aside from the
Indian missions, there was no regu-
larly organized parish church on the
western slope Of Montana. About six
miles below Missoula--three- quarters
Of mile the other side Of the old town
Of He'll Gate-on the bench that over
looks the confluence Of the Missoula
and Bitter Root rivers, Father Grassi
had built a little log church and he
and Father Menetry had erected an
other at Frenchto~n, but these were
dependencies OF st. Ignatius. There
was no Protestant church at all.
Established Church Quickly.
with earnestness which has been
characteristic OF his whole life, he took
UP his work vigorously. He found a
cordial welcome here. Speedily he or
ganized the First Methodist Church
society, and Immediately he started out
to build q home for the church. So
well did he labor that the new church
was finished in September, 1872. On
the 18th day Of that month the new
building was dedicated. 1t occupied
the site OF the present church. which
was dedicated In 1911.
''Dr. Tiff was one of the men who dc
not ask others to do what he is not
willing to do himself. When he had
prepared his subscription list to pro-
vide the fund for the new building. he
gave $500 as his share. That was d
large sum for a young minister. From
the church extension society he OBJ
tanned loan Of $500. The balance OF
the $1,000. which was the cost OF the
little building, was given by the people
Of the town. =.
"The first class which DR.. lift as
sembled at the outset of his work mum.
bered seven. He had juvenile Sun.
day school whose enrolment was 20
From these small beginnings has com,
the Missoula Methodist church OF to.
day. and also there has developed on,
Of the great men of Methodism.
The program, as arranged thus far
viii he as follows:
Organ voluntary and professional
Jerusalem the Golden"
Hymn. There Is Land of Pure De.
light"
Prayer.
Anthem, They That Sow In Tears.
Reading OF the Twenty third Psalm
In concert.
Scripture reading.
Solo, Eye Hath Not Seem" Mrs
Harry Edward Smith.
Address. DIR. w. w. Van Orsdell.
Address. DIR. Jacob Mills.
Address. DR.. Charles -. Crouch.
"reminiscences, Mrs. Emma c. Dick
inson.
Anthem, mo Shadows Yonder."
Hymn. my Heavenly Home Is Bright
and Fair