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 Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church - Frenchtown, MT Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 47° 00.755 W 114° 13.722
11T E 710634 N 5210290
Ostensibly designed by a ship's carpenter, this church's cornerstone was laid in June of 1884. It has been used for services ever since, making it Montana's oldest Catholic church in continuous use. It has held up well for a wood frame building.
Waymark Code: WMKNQ9
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2014
Views: 1
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
French-speaking immigrants from Quebec and eastern Canada settled here in the Missoula Valley in the late 1850s. By 1864, French-Canadian Catholics worshiped in a crude log chapel, the second church in Montana Territory established for non-Native Americans. The Rev. S. J. Tremblay, the community’s first secular priest, arrived from Montreal in 1884 and at once realized the need for a larger church.
The cornerstone was laid during the St. John’s Day Celebration in June of that year. Ship’s carpenter Lugar Forast is credited with the design. All labor and materials were furnished by the parish community. Built at a cost of $8,000, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was dedicated on August 10, 1884.
Montana’s oldest Catholic church in continuous use, its simple plan recalls classical revival traditions. Its arched doors and windows, bell-capped tower, and barrel vaulted ceiling are reminiscent of late Romanesque style. The bell, installed in 1885, carries a dedication inscribed in French. A winding staircase constructed with wooden pegs and magnificent carpentry grace the interior. The red, white, and blue color scheme commemorates the French national flag. Original pews, numbered and divided for individual families, remain in place.
In an attempt to maintain French heritage, from 1914 to 1922 the Sisters of Providence staffed an academy under the auspices of St. John’s offering children a Christian education taught in French. Although the community now embraces cultural diversity, St. John’s remains a heritage landmark and a tribute to its founding families.
From the NRHP Plaque
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 06/01/1884
Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:00 AM
Street address of Church:
16680 Main Street
Frenchtown, MT USA
59834
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
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