Christ Church History
The first Episcopal service held in Sheridan was in 1869 and was conducted by Bishop Tuttle. Services were held only occasionally by either Bishop Tuttle, Bishop Brewer or the Rev. Prout.
In 1886, Christ Mission was formally established in the Diocese of Montana. The property lot where the church, parish hall and vicarage are now located was donated by Mrs. Winthrop Raymond, the daughter of R.P. Bateman, founder of the town of Sheridan.
Construction for Christ Church was begun on June 17, 1896, with a service attended by the Rev. A. T. Randall, the Rev. Hooker and Mrs. Morrow, the deaconess.
The field stones used in the construction of the church came from the surrounding hills and creek beds, and were hauled by horse and wagon. The stained glass windows were made by Pitthan & Co. of New York and are "of the soft shades of browns and yellows and reminds one of the Montana autumn shades of the trees and shrubs" (The Madisonian, Oct. 23, 1896).
The church was formally opened on 1 Advent, November 29, 1896, with Bishop Leigh Richmond Brewer presiding. It is believed that the church was officially consecrated on August 6, 1900, by Bishop Brewer, although official records have not been located.
Christ Church is a replica of a church in Massachusetts. The Rev. and Mrs. Hooker provided much of the early furnishings. Rev. Hooker made the first altar, prayer bench and minister's seat. He also supervised the construction of the first pews by a woodshop in Dillon. Mrs. Hooker made the altar hangings, sewing and embroidering them all by hand. A large stained glass window was given in memory of Mrs. Morrow, the first deaconess. Later, many of the furnishings now in use were donated by the church in Pony, Montana, after that church closed.
The vicarage was added later using the same style of construction so that it matches the church. The house was completed in 1906. In the early 1960's a parish hall was added on the property between the church and the vicarage. Construction was overseen by the Rev. Leigh Wallace, Christ Church Vicar and later Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, and Mr. Wesley Elser.
After several years without attending clergy, Christ Church, in conjunction with St. Paul's, called the Rev. Todd Young to be Priest-in-Charge in July, 2004. In early 2006, Fr. Todd applied for, and was awarded, a United Thank Offering (UTO) grant for a new roof. Work on the roof was begun in late July by Benedict Builders of Virginia City, and completed about a month later in August. The new roof keeps the original character of the building and will last for many years.
During this project, it was discovered that the bell tower was rotting and posed a very real danger to the crew. An estimate for a new tower was given by Benedict Builders. Through the generous donations of many people, both within and outside of the local community, funds were quickly raised for a new bell tower. Work was begun in late January, 2007, and was completed in early February. The new bell tower was officially dedicated at a special service on February 17, 2007; the Rt. Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, Bishop of Montana, presided and the Very Rev. Todd Young, Vicar, preached. It was a festive occasion, and all in attendance were given the opportunity to ring the bell. After being silenced for seven months, a joyful noise was made and no sweeter sound was heard in all of Sheridan than the church bell ringing once more.
The building also benefited from a new paint job. After years of neglect, the wood siding and trim were cleaned and painted. The siding and windows in the lower section were painted in moth gray, while the trim, bell tower and windows in the upper section were painted white. The two doors were painted traditional red. Due to financial restraints, the paint project extended from 2007 to 2009.
The new roof, bell tower and paint will ensure that this beautiful old building is protected for years to come. The church bell can be heard ringing at about 9:50am every Sunday.
Adapted from The Episcopal Church in Montana, by Roberta Carkeek Cheney, 1990, and updated March, 2009.
In 1886, Christ Mission was formally established in the Diocese of Montana. The property lot where the church, parish hall and vicarage are now located was donated by Mrs. Winthrop Raymond, the daughter of R.P. Bateman, founder of the town of Sheridan.
Construction for Christ Church was begun on June 17, 1896, with a service attended by the Rev. A. T. Randall, the Rev. Hooker and Mrs. Morrow, the deaconess.
The field stones used in the construction of the church came from the surrounding hills and creek beds, and were hauled by horse and wagon. The stained glass windows were made by Pitthan & Co. of New York and are "of the soft shades of browns and yellows and reminds one of the Montana autumn shades of the trees and shrubs" (The Madisonian, Oct. 23, 1896).
The church was formally opened on 1 Advent, November 29, 1896, with Bishop Leigh Richmond Brewer presiding. It is believed that the church was officially consecrated on August 6, 1900, by Bishop Brewer, although official records have not been located.
Christ Church is a replica of a church in Massachusetts. The Rev. and Mrs. Hooker provided much of the early furnishings. Rev. Hooker made the first altar, prayer bench and minister's seat. He also supervised the construction of the first pews by a woodshop in Dillon. Mrs. Hooker made the altar hangings, sewing and embroidering them all by hand. A large stained glass window was given in memory of Mrs. Morrow, the first deaconess. Later, many of the furnishings now in use were donated by the church in Pony, Montana, after that church closed.
The vicarage was added later using the same style of construction so that it matches the church. The house was completed in 1906. In the early 1960's a parish hall was added on the property between the church and the vicarage. Construction was overseen by the Rev. Leigh Wallace, Christ Church Vicar and later Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, and Mr. Wesley Elser.
After several years without attending clergy, Christ Church, in conjunction with St. Paul's, called the Rev. Todd Young to be Priest-in-Charge in July, 2004. In early 2006, Fr. Todd applied for, and was awarded, a United Thank Offering (UTO) grant for a new roof. Work on the roof was begun in late July by Benedict Builders of Virginia City, and completed about a month later in August. The new roof keeps the original character of the building and will last for many years.
During this project, it was discovered that the bell tower was rotting and posed a very real danger to the crew. An estimate for a new tower was given by Benedict Builders. Through the generous donations of many people, both within and outside of the local community, funds were quickly raised for a new bell tower. Work was begun in late January, 2007, and was completed in early February. The new bell tower was officially dedicated at a special service on February 17, 2007; the Rt. Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, Bishop of Montana, presided and the Very Rev. Todd Young, Vicar, preached. It was a festive occasion, and all in attendance were given the opportunity to ring the bell. After being silenced for seven months, a joyful noise was made and no sweeter sound was heard in all of Sheridan than the church bell ringing once more.
The building also benefited from a new paint job. After years of neglect, the wood siding and trim were cleaned and painted. The siding and windows in the lower section were painted in moth gray, while the trim, bell tower and windows in the upper section were painted white. The two doors were painted traditional red. Due to financial restraints, the paint project extended from 2007 to 2009.
The new roof, bell tower and paint will ensure that this beautiful old building is protected for years to come. The church bell can be heard ringing at about 9:50am every Sunday.
Adapted from The Episcopal Church in Montana, by Roberta Carkeek Cheney, 1990, and updated March, 2009.
