Church History
St. Mark Lutheran Church began as a German Evangelical Church on September 23, 1888. The congregation met first at a schoolhouse on Broadway Street and then at the Plymouth Congregational Church on West Granite Street.
After much growth, the church incorporated under the laws of the State of Montana on November 14, 1895. A chapel and parsonage were located at 67 & 69 West Silver Street. The chapel was outgrown and sold. For five years they worshipped in the Finlanders’ Hall at 318 North Wyoming Street.
After much growth, the church incorporated under the laws of the State of Montana on November 14, 1895. A chapel and parsonage were located at 67 & 69 West Silver Street. The chapel was outgrown and sold. For five years they worshipped in the Finlanders’ Hall at 318 North Wyoming Street.
After purchasing land at the corner of Silver and Montana Streets in 1901, the church excavated the first dirt on October 31, 1906, for its new building. Construction costs of $16,000 were raised or donated by businesses, friends and members, and the cornerstone was laid on June 16, 1907.
Worship in the new church basement first took place on March 1, 1908. The main sanctuary was completed and dedicated on November 15, 1908. Five years later the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. Rev. Hudtloff was pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church for 41 years.
The land for the second church was sold in 1956 for the interstate. Eventually another lot was purchased, but the building plans never materialized. Renovation work totaling $35,000 in 1960 was completed on the present church. It included rebuilding the garage, office space above the garage and new restroom facilities behind the garage.
On September 18, 1988, St. Mark celebrated its 100th anniversary.
In 2004, a two story addition was completed on the north of the church with handicapped access to the east and west. This made an additional classroom upstairs and two new restrooms downstairs. Space for an elevator within the walls was also included. The elevator was installed and dedicated in 2012.
On September 23, 2018, St. Mark celebrated its 130th anniversary. A detailed church history and other information is contained in the 130th Anniversary booklet which you can download here or the 130th Anniversary powerpoint presentation here.
Worship in the new church basement first took place on March 1, 1908. The main sanctuary was completed and dedicated on November 15, 1908. Five years later the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. Rev. Hudtloff was pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church for 41 years.
The land for the second church was sold in 1956 for the interstate. Eventually another lot was purchased, but the building plans never materialized. Renovation work totaling $35,000 in 1960 was completed on the present church. It included rebuilding the garage, office space above the garage and new restroom facilities behind the garage.
On September 18, 1988, St. Mark celebrated its 100th anniversary.
In 2004, a two story addition was completed on the north of the church with handicapped access to the east and west. This made an additional classroom upstairs and two new restrooms downstairs. Space for an elevator within the walls was also included. The elevator was installed and dedicated in 2012.
On September 23, 2018, St. Mark celebrated its 130th anniversary. A detailed church history and other information is contained in the 130th Anniversary booklet which you can download here or the 130th Anniversary powerpoint presentation here.
