The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-04-14
REGULAR BISHOP FOR
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH
A Short History of the Church and
the Trials that 1t Has Over
Come.

Like every other institution of the
early days it's beginnings are lost in
the dim mists of badly kept records.
A note here, remembrance of
some Of the pioneers of service at
such and such a place, is all we have
to go by for information about the
early services until we come down to
October, 1894, when we find that the
Rev. Clews of Fort Benton, was asked
by Bishop Brewer to include Glasgow
into his district.
1t was about year after this that
the St. Matthew's Guild began the be-
ginnings of the present church build
ing. At first it was only small hall
used for every purpose, but as time
went on it was increased and en-
larged until under Rev. Christler, one
of the later incumbents, it assumed
it's present form.
Services were held in the little hall
by the late faithful and revered Rt.
Rev. Bishop Brewer, D. D., whose
name first appears on the register
November, 1894, when he baptized IL
people. The Bishop held the mission
under his own personal charge togeth-
er with the St. Mary's mission at
Malta, and the various other stations
through the valley.
The Rev. S. Stringfellow, mission
airy priest in charge of St. Marks
Havre, held the field for two years
and was followed by the Rev. H. E
Robins from Fort Benton, who helo
it from 1898 to 1900. From 1900. till
October, 1907, the Mission was agair
under the Bishops charge.
In the latter part of October, 1907
Rev. L. j. Christler was given charge
of the Milk river field and held it til
the end of 1914. In February, 1915
Rev. S. C. Blackiston had charge fo1
: about six months.
Visiting clergymen or the Archdea
con were responsible for the service!
till the Rev. G. V. Bell was appointe,
to have charge of the district from
Malta, the eastern end of the diocese
In February, 1919, the Rev. j. M
Nelson held the field from Malta t.
the Dakota and Canadian lines, til
he was called back to his old dioces
in October, 1920. He was succeede
after nearly a years interregnum b.
: and thereby make an honest dolla
M. Frost, who took charge Septem
ber 25th, 1921.
This year marks great step fo1
ward in the history of the church.
- has passed through the strenuou
! times when the few pioneer member
: trundled a wheelbarrow loaded wit
a cookstove on which to cook lunche
and thereby make on honest dolla
or two for their building fund.
. Their building has got beyond tn
a Seattle chute" stage as blunt Bisho
:, Brewer facetiously called it in h
4 day.
~ ~ It, with it's beautiful oak furnish
: ings and other appointments is som'
thing to be proud of.
l. And now the people are delighte
that for the first time in the histo1
of the church they are to have reguls
II every-Sunday services.
- Bishop Fox spoke in very war
~ terms of the work accomplished, Il
:, overflowing enthusiasm, unanimity
! purpose and devotion shown. He w;
20 more than surprised at the very sa
~ isfactory financial report presented
~ him by the vestry committee.
St. Matthew's church is long stol
-, of struggle against adverse circur
w ). stances by faithful few, fighting f
;s an ideal and gaining it. There a
40 still some of the beginners of t
of work amongst US, some to whom
~ ~ Matthew's church means everythil
~, because of the struggles, hardshi
y and nrivatiOns thew p1ad1v end,,red