Pioneer Church

(1917 -  ?)

The Gospel Messenger Oct. 6, 1917 page 635

  New Churches in Montana

 Pioneer Church. – Under the loving care of our Heavenly Father Aug. 14 Eld. O. A. Myer, of Williston, N. Dak., and the writer, after traveling over 250 miles from our homes, in auto, found ourselves very pleasantly associated with a band of very earnest members near Bruce, Dawson County, Montana, where we had been sent by our District to organize a church.  With twenty-three charter members present the new church was organized in the name of “The Pioneer Congregation.”  Eld. Geo. H. Brallier, having recently moved among this little band of members and endeared himself to them, was chosen presiding elder; Sister Clara Vannoy, Clerk, and Sister Bessie McCoy, “Messenger” agent and church correspondent.  The trustees are Brethren A. E. Finifrock, W. A, Deal and Andrew Vannoy.  Brethren A. E. Finifrock and Judson Vannoy were elected as deacons and, with Sister Finifrock, were installed in to office.

  Love Feast. - At five o’clock the large room in Sister Sarah Vannoy’s very hospitable home, where the council had been held during the day, was transformed into a good-sized churchhouse ready for love feast.  A Very sacred feast was the enjoyed with this newly-organized church, this being the writer’s first experience in officiating.

  Homeward Bound. – In order to return home at a given time, we left immediately after the feast. Just before our departure the members and friends stood outside the house and sang in honor and appreciation of the day’s unusual work for Christ and the church.  At Eleven o’clock the same night we reach Jordan and there spent part of the night with Bro. Earl Vannoy in his “Square Deal Grocery Store.”  At ten minutes of four in the morning we were on our way again.  This time we took the “Red Arrow Trail,” which leads to Glasgow, Montana.  On this early morning run we was thousands of acres of land which had been recently swept by a prairie fire.  We shall never forget this scene of desolation.  Thanks be to God, we arrived safe home, ahead of time, having traveled more than 517 miles.