Celebrating history: Churches were busy in 1915

News of churches dominated the newspapers this week 100 years ago. In the Dec. 11, 1915 issue of The Hill County Democrat, the Methodists were making good use of the newly finished basement of their new church on 5th Avenue. Not only were services being conducted there, a bazaar and supper was also planned:

Methodist Bazaar and supper

The Annual Bazaar and dinner of the Methodist church will be held from 5 to eight o'clock in the new church building. The Bill of Fare for the supper is as follows: Roast Beef, Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Lima Beans, Celery, Cabbage Salad, Pickles, Rolls, Jelley, Cranberry Sauce, Sherbet, Ice Cream, Cake, Coffee. Supper served from 5 to 8 P.M. Place-The New Basement of the Methodist Church at the corner of 4th St. and 5th Ave. The sale of Fancy Articles will begin at 3 o'clock and continue through the evening.

Also on the front page was this announcement:

New church to be built

Lumber is purchased at local lumber yard

To be built at Cottonwood

Will be Thirty-two by Thirty-Four Feet and cost $1,000

"The Rev. J. T. Moody was in town Tuesday and purchased several loads of lumber from a local lumber company, which was at once taken to Cottonwood 20 miles north of this city for the construction of a Presbyterian church.

"The new building will be 32 by 34 feet and will cost about one thousand dollars. It will be the first church to be erected in that section of the county."

The Catholics also had good news of their own:

Catholics are in their new home

As announced last Sunday the Catholics of the city will hold services next Sunday, Dec. 12, in their new school building, situated on the corner of Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue. A block of property in this location was purchased a little over a year ago. The present building was stared in the middle of September. It contains a large, well-lighted basement and two stories. The chapel is on the mail floor. The building is heated by steam. The contractor's work is almost completed. The interior of the building is finished in Oregon fir with maple floors and an oak stairway. A fire-escape leads from the top floor I the rear of the building. All will have an opportunity to inspect the building next Sunday.

The usual Sunday services will be held, masses being celebrated at 9 and 10:30 o'clock.

The Baptists in Gildford also had wonderful news:

Baptist notes

The Gildford Baptists are building their new meeting house. Pastor Dulin spent Thursday with them. The Ladies gave a free dinner to all who were assisting on the building. All who are interested are kindly invited to lend freely a helping hand, so as to get the building enclosed before the severe weather comes.

Parents are kindly invited to hear Pastor Dulin Sunday subject of "Juvenile Thieving". It has been recommended by one in a high official position that all the pastors speak on the subject for the purpose of helping safe guard our children along the paths of honesty and proper regard for the property rights of others. All are kindly invited to hear Pastor Dulin Sunday."

In The Havre Plaindealer's issue of the same date, news of Fort Assinniboine made the front page.

State takes over valuable property

Formal Transfer of Assinniboine Occurred This Week

On Wednesday of this week occurred the transfer from the United States government to the State of Montana, the title in and to the buildings at old Fort Assinniboine, worth approximately one million dollars, together with two thousand acres of land that is to be used, according to the bill that passed Congress, for an agricultural and manual training school.

by the action of the state of Montana comes into thousands of dollars worth of property, and it is the hope of people of this section that a school will be established there wherein the farmers of this section can receive the instruction that is so essential to their success in farming in a semi-arid section.

The Democrat reported that City Council had given the mayor authorization to ask the county commissioners to purchase the Guard House at Fort Assinniboine from the city for $100. The Guard House had been acquired by the city for use as a jail, however, it was determined it was too expensive to transport inmates to and from Fort Assinniboine and the city was looking to sell the building.

They did, however, remove the iron cell blocks and used them in the jail that had been added to the city hall - then located on the northeast corner of 4th Avenue and 1st Street. These were later removed and installed in the "new" City Hall - in its current location - and when the jail was no longer used at that location, they were again removed and donated to the Fort Assinniboine Preservation Association.

Miss Ruth Carrier continues to receive many gatherings in her honor in Arsee's "Society" column.

Pink and White Luncheon

Mrs. V. R. Griggs and Mrs. A. M. Grimmer were numbered among the charming hostesses of last week, when they entertained at luncheon, honoring Miss Ruth Carrier, a bride of the coming week. Beautiful pink enchantress carnations adorned the table and the crystal which held them was tied with fluffy bows of pink tulle. The splendid dome over the table was festooned with smilax and dotted with bows of pink tulle. The favors were tiny pink baskets. A delicious four course menu was served. The afternoon was spent sewing. Seated with the honor guest were: Mesdames D. S. MacKenzie, J. A. Wright, S. Y. B. Williams, J. G. Holland, J. C. Benson, T. E. McClintock, A. J. Broadwater, G. B. Bourne, W. C. Lange, and the Misses Etta Dewar, Harriet Carrier, Cecelia deLorimer and Vera MacKenzie.