Ketchum in Blaine County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
The Congregational Church
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017
1. The Congregational Church Marker
Inscription.
The Congregational Church. . The First Congregational Church of Ketchum, Idaho was built in 1884 during expansion of the Church across America. By the late 1840's, Christian abolitionists gained strength in the struggle against slavery. Unwilling to remain in the union of Christian faiths, and slave-ownership, they broke away from the Presbyterian faith. The pastor of the Ketchum Church was the Rev. George Ritchie. In 1891, the Church was sold to the Episcopalian Church, and thereafter was abandoned and sold to become the Leadville Espresso House in the 1970's, popular with many visiting celebrities. After the Leadville Espresso closed, it became the Italian-cuisine Louie's Restaurant. In 1999, it was purchased and preserved by the Ketchum/Sun Valley Historical Society, then moved to it's present location and restored by new owners in 2007.
The First Congregational Church of Ketchum, Idaho was built in 1884 during expansion of the Church across America. By the late 1840's, Christian abolitionists gained strength in the struggle against slavery. Unwilling to remain in the union of Christian faiths, and slave-ownership, they broke away from the Presbyterian faith. The pastor of the Ketchum Church was the Rev. George Ritchie. In 1891, the Church was sold to the Episcopalian Church, and thereafter was abandoned and sold to become the Leadville Espresso House in the 1970's, popular with many visiting celebrities. After the Leadville Espresso closed, it became the Italian-cuisine Louie's Restaurant. In 1999, it was purchased and preserved by the Ketchum/Sun Valley Historical Society, then moved to it's present location and restored by new owners in 2007.
Erected by Ketchum/Sun Valley Historical Society. (Marker Number 2007.)
Location. 43° 41.004′ N, 114° 21.876′ W. Marker is in Ketchum, Idaho, in Blaine County. It is on East Avenue near 6th Street East, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 560 East Avenue, Ketchum ID 83340, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Idaho Sawtooth Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Additional commentary. 1. Leadville Espresso House I worked in Sun Valley in 1965/66. The Leadville Espresso House was a booming business the favorite hangout for Sun Valley employees. I met Bobby Kennedy in that bar. Your commentary said the Leadville Espresso House was prospering in the '70's. That could be, but they were doing well in the previous decade also. Mike and Millie ran the place. Millie later became a clothier of some repute in Ketchum.
— Submitted July 21, 2025, by Phil Haynes of Juliette, Georgia.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017
2. The Congregational Church Marker
The marker is fixed to the bottom of "The Picket Fence" sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
