History
Stevensville is the oldest town in Montana, established in 1841. It was first established as a Jesuit mission (St. Mary’s) to the Salish-Kootenai people. Decades later, Stevensville, and the Bitterroot valley, was active with pastors from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. By 1871, a church of the southern branch of Methodism was sending out local preachers throughout Montana. By 1877, the northern branch of Methodism had also established a church presence. Two active Methodist churches operated in the community until 1918 when both congregations Federated and were served by pastors from both denominations. 20 years later, the foresight of the Stevensville folk was fulfilled when the southern and northern branches of Methodism joined together to form the Methodist Church. On December 9th we will honor 154 years of this tradition.
National Historic Registry
Our church building began as a school in 1885.In 1906, a two-roo addition was added to the north. By the 1920’s the building ceased to function as a school. In 1927, The Federated Church (northern and southern branches of Methodism) bought the building and started a massive remodel. Front pillars and a new entrance was built along with a remodeled sanctuary and balcony. The first worship service was on December 9, 1928.
A Fellowship Hall, kitchen, and restrooms were added in 1989. A new addition was added in 2020 with 6 classrooms and an office dedicated for the Sapphire Early Learning Center. This building also included a Fellowship Hall, kitchen, and new bathrooms and sits on the location of the Fellowship Hall built 30 years before.
In 1991, the building was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. “It stands as an excellent example of Classical Revival style institutional architecture, embodying many characteristics of this style, and reflecting the evolution of the building through 1928.”
