Methodist Church Gets A Facelift
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Methodist Church Gets A Facelift Nancy Marks The Methodist Church, at 200 North Cedar, just got a new coat of paint. According to Administrative Council Chair, Donna Harper, the paint job had been a long time coming, but members were glad to have it started. “Kyle Etchison, of Three Forks, is doing the job. He’ll finish the steeple next spring,” she said.
A protestant church, Townsend United Methodist church was the first church built in the newly formed town of Townsend in 1883 when the railroad came through the area. Besides serving for religious services, the building served as the first school for four years until Townsend Elementary School was built in 1886, according to Broadwater Bygones, the Broadwater County history book. The little church has been in continuous use since that time. It is used by 4-H clubs, and Eastern Star as well as the Red Cross for blood drawings. The church will begin a lunch youth fellowship gathering on Wednesdays beginning next year.
Several changes have been made in the 140 years the church has been in service including a fellowship hall in 1925 and an addition to the church in 1948. The parsonage beside the church was built in 1962. In 1948 a large mural painted by local artist Ingeborg Merritt was dedicated in the auditorium. The stained glass windows, done by artist Mary Harris of Helena took two years to complete and install. Sue and Steve Babcock and Mary Froelicker headed the project. Sue and Steve installed the windows.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Townsend Methodist Church
Image 2 Caption: Mural by Ingabord Merritt
