CHURCH HISTORIEs

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT WICKES

The Presbyterian church of Wickes was organized July 13, 1880, and was exceptional in several particulars and of unusual interest and singularly free from sectarianism.  As a body, it simply fell into the hands of the Presbyterian denomination.  It was the outcome of the Christian fidelity of one man, William W. Wickes, at that time senior elder in Dr. T. L. Cuyler's church, Brooklyn, N. Y.  As president of a mining company he came to this camp, which was named by the Alta Montana Co., and remained there for about a year, superintending the construction of the works of the company.  He studiously observed the Sabbath and held meetings in a reading room which he himself built at his own expense for the men.  Subsequently he brought to the camp his nephew, Rev. Thomas A. Wickes, who had given up the ministry on account of broken health, and had his co-operation in religious work for the men.  Their joint labors resulted in awakening an interest in Christian work.  Ere long this sentiment resulted in the Christians of the various denominations, represented in the community, taking action, organizing themselves into a church and by unanimous vote decided that it should be a Presbyterian Church out of regard to William W. Wickes, who had done so much for the moral and religious welfare of the men before his departure.

The denominations represented in this section were Methodist, Congregational, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Presbyterian, the representation being in the order named.  Rev. T. A. Wickes, who was a Congregational minister, was sent as a delegate to the fall meeting of Presbytery of that year at Butte, to make request for admission to the Presbytery of Montana, which was granted and Mr. Wickes was also received as a member from the Congregational body by letter.  He is still a member, being next to Rev. J. R. Russel the oldest member of the Synod of Montana.

The prosperity of the church was in keeping with the usual ups and downs of a mining camp and its end likewise.  It was at one time one of the most flourishing churches in the state, but only for a short while, for after many failures the works were removed to East Helena, and later the mine was closed down, and at last the community drifted away and in 1905 the church was dropped from the roll of the Presbytery and the doors of the building closed.

Rev. W. G. Pollock served the church as its first supply.  Rev. T. N. Todd came next and was installed as pastor and while laboring there began mission work at Boulder, a town distant about ten miles, and planted the seed which bore fruit in the establishment of the First Presbyterian church of this county-seat, Boulder.  Rev. Lyman E. Hanna followed him and afterwards Rev. Jesse C. Wilson, Rev. John F. Lynn, Rev. C. H. Grube, Rev. S. B. McClelland and Rev. A. P. Haydon.

During the first four years of the history of this church, Rev. T. A. Wickes added his personal services, often as the superintendent of the Sunday-school, and also preaching when the church was without a pastor.  The social work carried on through the church accomplished much for the moral and religious good of the entire community which was composed of a few families and scores, sometimes hundreds of homeless men.

At first thought it might be supposed that the Board of Church Erection and Home Missions had unwisely expended money in this camp, but when it is known that during its history of about 25 years, and the most stirring days of the first ten years, that 98 were enrolled on the books, of whom 58 were received on profession of faith; that the Christian faith was most earnestly preached and lived by its members before hundreds of the people; that from this church were scattered over the state these 98 Christians to help support other churches; that among these have been those who have filled the office of the Sabbath-school superintendent, elder, deacon, and steward, in different churches, it would be impossible to measure the ever-widening influences for good accomplished in that church whose doors are now closed and whose bell is now silent.  Through these earnest Christians, who were scattered like the sorrowful church of Jerusalem, it was that a greater work might be done through all Montana, in that early day, when to stand as a Christian among the multitudes of godless fortune seekers was as a beacon light in the midst of turbulent breakers.  If there is rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner that is saved, what must be the measure of joy over 58 added unto the Lord in the brief history of the church!

By Rev. Thomas A. Wickes

Source: Transcription from the book, The Pioneer Work of the Presbyterian Church in Montana, edited by Rev. George Edwards, published in 1907; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org), accessed 15 January 2025.

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