Our History

A brief history of Montrose United Methodist Church

In the summer of 1880, young Joshua Watson, riding a calico pony, came to a tiny schoolhouse north of Montrose. He had come 20 miles from Canistota township with the word of God in his pocket to preach to the early pioneers. Records are hazy on how long he served this community. C. M. Brown, a presiding elder, also preached in the same building. Church services were held there along with events such as ice cream socials.

The Montrose Methodist Church was organized by C.M. Brown in 1881, assisted by Mrs. Hartsough. In 1882, the Dakota Mission Conference met in Parker under Bishop S.M. Merrill. Rev. Amburn, a local preacher, was appointed the first minister. He had two churches-Hartford and Montrose.

In 1884, J. P. Jenkins was appointed to Montrose, During his ministry the first church was built at a total cost, including labor, of $2,495.29 -- all of which was met except $300. Church membership was 80. Following are other highlights of this church building:

1902--Church building valued at $3,000. Parsonage built around this time and valued at $1,000.
1915-1916--Church building remodeled.
1918-1921--Basement built.
1922--Montrose Methodist and Baptists united.
1955--New altar, pulpit and chair dedicated in memory of the Rev. John Boyce and his wife and son. They were killed in a car accident while serving Montrose. A matching chair was added later.
1955--Montrose Methodist yoked with Riverside, a rural church south of Canistota.
1954-1958--Church basement enlarged. Heating system changed from coal to oil burning furnace.
1961--Church ceiling lowered and covered with ceiling tile and sidewalls paneled.
1964--Steeple of church removed and replaced by a cross.
1966-1969--Parsonage redecorated and carpeted for student pastor Roger Cheek, the last minister to live in the parsonage. Montrose Church and Brothersfield, a E.U.B. Churchof rural Parker becomes a charge. Merger of the Methodist and Evangelical United Bretheran denominations forms the United Methodist Church.
1969-1971--Rev. Charles Ritter serves both Montrose, Sunny Crest in Sioux Falls and a church in Ellis. Sanctuary carpeted and the chancel redesigned. New altar rail built and a kneeling step added.
1972--Montrose and Salem United becomes a charge.
1983--Baldwin organ purchased with memorials and gifts.
1986--Baptismal fount built as a memorial and iron railings with symbols added to front steps.
1987--Steeple cross illuminated.
1988--Sunday School area added on to north side of church. New carpeting was added. Pews were refinished. Basement ceiling was lowered.
1995--Wooden illuminated cross behind alter given as a memorial gift.
1999--Air conditioning added
December 8, 2002--congregational vote to build new church.
January 12, 2003--Pledge Sunday for new church building.
April 20, 2003--Last church service in the original church building.
January 18, 2004 –First Sunday service in new church building
February 8, 2004 –Consecration service officiated by Rev. Don Klarup
August 29, 2006 –Mortgage paid in full
September 23, 2006 –Church was Dedicated by Bishop Deborah Kiesey
July 1, 2016 -- Became our own charge with Pastor as full time for one year then as 3/4 time
July 1, 2019 –Full time Pastor serving the church