135 years and counting!

From the movie, "Back to the Future II"

Rev. Glen Woodson was the pastor in 1985
 

Dr. Charles Alkula is the pastor in 2015
 

Rev. Ellen Mignery was the pastor in 1955

Where do you do you see the church in 2045?

A history of Stevensville UMC was presented by Charlene Siphers at the spring 2014 United Methodist Women gathering of the Western Mountains District.  It may be seen at this link on our YouTube channel.

Methodism came to Stevensville in 1880 when the Rev. E.J. Stanley of the Southern Methodists started to build a church which was completed in 1884.  This was the first Methodist church building in the Bitterroot Valley.  In 1884 the Southern Methodists held a charge conference in Stevensville presided over by Bishop J. C. Granbery.

In 1886-87, the Rev. J. D. Moore was appointed pastor of the Stevensville Methodist Episcopal Church - South and it was during his pastorate that the combination of church and parsonage was built.  In December of 1888 the Rev. J. B. Parnell was appointed to the Bitterroot Circuit from Lolo to Grantsdale.  In 1901 the Stevensville Academy was started by the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Many Stevensville young people attended this school which later became the high school and is now the junior high.

A movement was started in the early 1900's to combine the two Methodist churches in Stevensville but it was not until 1918 that the M.E. South pastor, the Rev. P. D. Hartman was asked to occupy both pulpits.  Later all services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church building with one pastor.  This method was used until the three branches of Methodism (Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church - South, and the Methodist Protestant Church) united in 1939.

It was during the pastorate of the Rev. William J. Richards (1925-29) that the old grade school building was purchased and remodeled for our new church.  This is the building we are using at the present time.  The first services were held December 9, 1928.  The Rev. Richards was assisted by the Rev. Parnell who had returned for this occasion.

The new parsonage was built in 1973 during the pastorate of the Rev. Robert C. Varker.  We are still making history and pray that it will continue for many years.

- from Bicentennial of the Yellowstone Conference, compiled by Doris Whithorn. The Livingstone Enterprise, Livingston, Montana, 1984.