Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

150-year-old Church

June 27, 2020

Back in the mid-1800’s, the land for this church was deeded to the Methodist- Episcopal Church of Madison County. Sometime in the 1860s, around the time of the Montana Gold Rush, this wonderful church was built on the property.

McAllister, Montana

History of the Church

“Brother Van” served as a traveling preacher/minister and had people from miles around come to worship here in the 1850s through to early 1900s.

Sometime in the mid-1900s, the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church traded properties from the Ruby Valley to the Madison Valley. As the story goes, there were not enough folks in each valley to support both a Presbyterian and a Methodist church in such close proximity to one another. (These denominations are so close in theology and worship practices!) So, this church building joined the Presbyterian family while the Ruby Valley Presbyterian Church became a Methodist worship center.

Use of the Church Today

The church has no running water, but it does have electricity. Once a year, in early September, the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis holds services out there in the McAllister Church. Porta-potties are brought in. And it is a challenge to provide coffee and goodies for fellowship in this waterless place! But, the service always is a memorable experience.

Looking at the front of the worship center
Looking toward the back (Bob in doorway)
On the side wall… notice the picture; here’s a close-up of it:
Precious picture!
When we first came here about 15 years ago, this pump organ actually worked. I wonder what it would take to get it operational again?
Isn’t this a grand old stove? It’s in the kitchen behind the pulpit area. I wonder how they cooked here with no water? Must have had a well outside, you think?
There is a place out this back door where it looks like a well once was.

Future of the Church

Last week we had wind gusts up to 62 mph here in the Madison Valley. A few of the roof pieces blew off in the storm. So, we were out here yesterday with a roofer, getting a bid on what it would cost to repair or replace it.

Seeing the trucks on the property, several neighbors, new to the area, came to check it out. It’s a curiosity for those who have never been inside, and they were glad to be invited in.

This dear gentleman, new to Montana, even offered to help with the roofing project. We hope he retires soon from his home in California and moves with his family to our “Paradise on Earth” full time so we can become better acquainted – and take him up on the offer to help.

Donnie – my new friend!

Meeting New people

Do you enjoy meeting new people as much as I do? Donnie is a firefighter in California. He and his wife have built a home in those mountains you see behind him there. Welcome to Montana, Donnie! Nice meeting you!

I hope Donnie and his wife, Cheryl, will come and visit us… you, too, my friends.
We have an “open door” policy. Come and enjoy this “Big Sky Country” with us.

Birthday and Anniversary


And by the way,
Happy Birthday today to my dear son-in-law in Switzerland,
Andre’ Solioz…
and De & Andre’s anniversary is tomorrow.
Wish we could be there to help them celebrate!

That’s me kissing Andre’ !!
Happy Anniversary tomorrow to my dear daughter, DeDe, and her fun-loving hubby!

Have a wonderful Saturday.

I hope YOU have a lovey-dovey day, too…
Enjoy it, wherever you are!!

Hope you enjoyed those photos of our wonderful old church.
Do you have old buildings in your area
that are worthy of preservation?
I bet some of you have places
that make an 1800s church
look like it’s
NEW!!

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Aging Gracefully, children, Family, God, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, Montana, relationships

10 Comments

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Comments on: "150-year-old Church" (10)

  1. Lesley said:
    June 27, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    What a beautiful place of worship! What I like most about Methodist churches is the clean and simple design. This one is perfect and I love the kitchen too.
    We’ve got some churches here that go back to Anglo-Saxon times. Inspired by your post, I’d like to do one on our old churches some time soon.
    I hope Andre enjoyed his birthday today and that he and De have a lovely time on their anniversary tomorrow. x

  2. derrickjknight said:
    June 28, 2020 at 7:10 am

    Fine historic building. (Yes, we do have a few older ones)

  3. mitzybricker said:
    June 28, 2020 at 10:05 am

    Beautiful old church. We have them here in Virginia too!

    Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com

  4. Sunny De said:
    June 28, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    Awwww 🥰 Thank you, momma!!!! We had a really fun birthday with loads of lovely people. Today was spent relaxing ☺️ I love you! 💕😘❤️

  5. Stephanie said:
    November 29, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Hi Jan. My name is Stephanie and I just saw your blog about the old church in McAllister. I just moved to Ennis back in June, and the church catches my eye each time I drive through McAllister. I spoke to a member of the church today and then I saw your post. What a neat coincidence! I found you on Facebook and I am going to send you a friend’s request. I hope you don’t mind, but I would love to stop by the church and take a look at it one of these days.
    Thanks for caring about our community 🙂

    • JanBeek said:
      November 30, 2021 at 8:29 am

      I don’t mind at all! Thanks for stopping by JanBeek. I’ll look for your FB friend request. Welcome to Ennis. Bob & I love it here!

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