We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
About 70 worshippers gathered two Sundays ago at the Chinook Presbyterian Church to celebrate the church's 125th anniversary. It was also a joint worship for the four churches that make up the Milk River Churches. Pastor Theresa Danley, who ministers to the Milk River Churches, is shown (at right front of photo) welcoming guests and members to the joint celebration.
Don Ross, a member of the Chinook Presbyterian Church shows the technique for making pitchfork fondue using steaks. Don's wife, Tanis, Jim Conrad and Terry Townsend helped with the steaks. Diners got their side dishes inside, then were given a steak through the serving window in the Center
Part of the 70+ guests who enjoyed a steak fondue are shown before the meal began seated in the Chinook Senior Center. The meal was preceded by a joint worship service at the Presbyterian Church just down the hill. The meal was part of the August 18 celebration of the church's 125th anniversary
Ardis Conrad, at right, created a display of photographs from weddings held in the Chinook Presbyterian Church over the years. She noted that one photo, from 1906, was of a double wedding involving two of the daughters of her great grandmother, Mary Hanky. She said Mary Hanky had a millinery shop in Chinook back in the early 1900s
The Presbyterian Church of Chinook (its legal name) celebrated its 125th anniversary last weekend. Members said planning for last weekend's 125th anniversary celebration began more than a year ago. One challenge, early on, was how to pronounce and spell 'quasquicentennial.' The planners soon agreed 'the 125th' made more sense and was certainly easier to say and write. A few weeks ago, the word went out inviting current and former members, the Milk River Churches, surrounding sister congregations, special guests and former ministers to attend the festivities. Honorably Retired Reverend Sherry Edwards was the only former minister to attend.
The first event of the celebration was the 11am joint worship service on Sunday, August 18, at the Chinook Presbyterian Church. That service was led by Pastor Theresa Danley, Certified Lay Pastor, who serves as pastor for the Milk River Churches. A welcome from all the Presbyterian churches in western Montana was brought by Glacier Presbyter Chuck Carlson who helps coordinate the ministries of the Presbyterian churches in western Montana. Pastor Danley's message was titled the "Gift of Maturity" and tied to the theme of celebrating the local church's long history in the community.
The morning service was also a joint worship service for the Milk River churches. In addition to the Chinook Presbyterian church the other Chinook-based Milk River churches include the United Methodist, the American Lutheran Church and a second Presbyterian Church in Havre. Members from all the Milk River congregations were represented a the 11am service on Sunday. There were also visitors from the Yoked Parish (Methodist and Presbyterians) in Harlem and several more out of town guests.
Instrumental music was provided by Julie Finley, pianist for some of the Milk River churches and Renella Hansen, of the American Lutheran Church, presented a vocal solo. A Special Litany of Thanksgiving was led by a group of current and former members from Chinook Presbyterian with responses from the gathered worshippers. Nearly 70 worshippers gathered for the Sunday morning service.
After the morning worship the celebrants moved up the street to the Chinook Senior Center for a pitchfork fondue-steaks on pitchforks cooked in very hot oil. The cooking of the steaks was under the care of Don and Tanis Ross, they were assisted by Jim Conrad and Terry Townsend. The steaks were cooked outside, then served through the serving window inside the Center. A large table in the dining room held the dishes that complimented the steaks. Brad Taylor provided live guitar background music during the luncheon.
Dishes that accompanied the steaks were prepared by local caterer Valerie Frank. Two special anniversary cakes (chocolate and white) were baked and decorated by Carol Elliot. Though not a member of the church, Carol's husband, Wally, was a long-time active member of the Chinook Presbyterian church and the cakes were prepared in his memory. About 75 diners joined the celebration for the fondue lunch.
Decorations for the church and luncheon were planned by long-time church member Ardis Conrad. She grew up in the church and was married there. Asked how she approached preparing decorations for the 125th anniversary, Ardis said, "First I looked at what was done for the 100th anniversary. I attended that celebration but was not involved in preparing for it. I was looking for traditions and ways to keep the theme of long-term service in the community."
Ardis noted, "The 100th celebration group had gathered pictures of couples married in the church. I found a picture of two of my relatives, sisters Florence and Ethel Hanky who were married in a double wedding, in 1906. They were the daughters of my great grandmother Mary Hankey who operated a millinery shop (she sold hats for women) in town. I thought guests might enjoy seeing photos of couples, many likely relatives, so I made a display of those wedding pictures." It was fun to watch folks pick up a wedding photo and exclaim, "Here's grandma or there's aunt Susie!" The wedding photos were a real hit. Ardis added, "I think the most moving thing from my involvement was revisiting the history of my own family in this church, adding, "During my research I found the records of when my brother and I were baptized on the same day, in the 1940s."
Organizers of the celebration rated it a grand success. Asked if she was looking forward to the 150th celebration, Ardis Conrad said, "It may be a bit premature for me to be thinking that far ahead." I'm sure if Ardis is still around, she and many others who were critical to planning and carrying out this event, will be back assuring the role of the Presbyterian Church in Chinook is remembered and honored.
