Joliet in Carbon County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Joliet Christian Church
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2021
1. Joliet Christian Church Marker
Inscription.
Joliet Christian Church. . “Chief shepherd” Walter Jordan and “singing evangelist” Lucile Park preached to a packed house at an October 1908 revival meeting, held above the meat market on Joliet’s Main Street. Forty-five charter members joined together to found the Joliet Christian Church that night, including high school principal and ordained Christian minister Oliver Shanklin, who served as the congregation’s first pastor. Shanklin led services at the Opera House while women members of the Christian Workers took the lead in raising money for a permanent sanctuary. Proceeds from events like their Election Day luncheon, soon a Joliet tradition, combined with contributions from more established Christian Churches to provide the needed funds. Local carpenter Charles Hemery and his son Raymond designed the vernacular building and, assisted by many community volunteers, completed the wood-frame church in time for a June 2, 1909, dedication service. Precise attention to detail reflects the care paid during construction. The gable-roofed church, ornamented by Palladian windows, features a flared-roof belfry. A growing congregation supported remodeling of the basement in 1956, but the church’s exterior still looks much as it did in 1909.
“Chief shepherd” Walter Jordan and “singing evangelist” Lucile Park preached to a packed house at an October 1908 revival meeting, held above the meat market on Joliet’s Main Street. Forty-five charter members joined together to found the Joliet Christian Church that night, including high school principal and ordained Christian minister Oliver Shanklin, who served as the congregation’s first pastor. Shanklin led services at the Opera House while women members of the Christian Workers took the lead in raising money for a permanent sanctuary. Proceeds from events like their Election Day luncheon, soon a Joliet tradition, combined with contributions from more established Christian Churches to provide the needed funds. Local carpenter Charles Hemery and his son Raymond designed the vernacular building and, assisted by many community volunteers, completed the wood-frame church in time for a June 2, 1909, dedication service. Precise attention to detail reflects the care paid during construction. The gable-roofed church, ornamented by Palladian windows, features a flared-roof belfry. A growing congregation supported remodeling of the basement in 1956, but the church’s exterior still looks much as it did in 1909.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed
Location. 45° 29.044′ N, 108° 58.432′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Montana, in Carbon County. Marker is at the intersection of South 1st Street and U.S. 212, on the left when traveling north on South 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South 1st Street, Joliet MT 59041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is on the the right side of the building, half-hidden by the bush.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2021
3. Joliet Christian Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
