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"Gathering
to glorify and praise God, to care for our church family, and to reach out with the good news of God's love to the whole world!" STOP IN AND FIND OUT! |
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No Presbyterian work was firmly established in Missoula until the Rev. James R. Russell, Ph.D., one of several young ministers who had lately come to Montana, organized the present church April 12, 1876, in the home of Mr. Ferd Kennett, who was later ordained an elder. The eight founding members received on that day were: Mr. & Mrs. Ferd Kennett, Mrs. George Baker, Mrs. Eliza Wood, Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy, Mrs. Weeden, Mr. Sims, and Mrs. Jacob Reinhard. There was no regular minister for over a year. On May 24, 1877, the Rev. Milton L. Cook arrived in Missoula and was placed in charge of the Presbyterian work in Missoula and the neighboring area of the Bitterroot Valley. He organized a Sunday School in Missoula June 3, with 33 present. Mr. Ferd Kennett was made Superintendent. Services were first held in the Northern Methodist Church building, but by 1878 Mr. Cook had moved into the old Higgins home, on Higgins Avenue and Main Street. The large front room served as a chapel for Sunday School and worship services. This was the only Protestant Sunday School in Missoula at the time. Some time later a melodian was secured, which was the first musical instrument used in worship in any of the churches in town. On September 3, 1881, the Session arranged for a meeting of the church members, to study steps toward erecting a sanctuary. In 1884 a frame building was erected near the southeast corner of what are now Pine and Stevens streets. This was later sold to George Pringle, who moved it to the 100 block on West Spruce Street. It was replaced by a beautiful brick building, which was begun in 1888 and dedicated June 23, 1889. The cost of the lots and the new building was $6,084.36. Due to the growth of the city and its development south of the Clark Fork River, a decision was made in 1915 to move the church to lots located at 201 South Fifth Street West. A magnificent brick sanctuary in Norman style was begun with the laying of the corner stone on September 5, 1915, by Rev. John N. Maclean, D.D., who was later made nationally-known by his son Norman's novella, "A River Runs Through It" (and our church by Robert Redford's 1991 movie by the same title). The sanctuary was completed the following year at a cost of $56,696.18 and is still being used. Adjoining property was purchased in 1945 for expansion of administrative and educational facilities. On September 27, 1959, a Christian education building was dedicated, and a master plan was developed to provide the administrative space as soon as the Hopkins property could be secured. On December 19, 1972, the sanctuary burned. With great effort and considerable sacrifice, the congregation rallied and rebuilt and improved the sanctuary, which was rededicated on December 19, 1973. That effort, and difficult years that followed economically, caused delay in the completion of the master plan until the present time. Having experienced considerable growth during the 1990's, we are presently involved in a $2,000,000 expansion of our church facilities as well as an expansion of the mission outreach of our church. Our new Fellowship and Administration Building was completed in the Fall of 2002. We invite you to join with us in that effort!
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Copyright ©
First Presbyterian Church
235 S. Fifth St. W., Missoula, MT 59801 (between Higgins
& Orange) (406) 549-5144 * (406) 549-5145 FAX Contact Us |
