Salmon UMC appears to have been organized in 1872 & 3, making it one of the oldest continuing Protestant congregations in the Salmon Valley.

In its earliest years it was served by Methodist circuit-riding ministers from what was then the Montana Conference.

That means the church was born while Salmon itself was still a young frontier mining community.

 

The Believers who established this church were not building merely for themselves, although they probably thought they were.

Chances are they didn’t consider their efforts would far outlast their own times, far into the future.

 

They were building for generations they would never meet. 

Now, here we are 154 years later, worshiping God and feasting on His Word!

 

Consider, if you will, all the history that has flowed by like water down the Salmon River while this church and many others like it have stood still and remained!

 

1873 rolls around, and we know historically that this congregation was founded by Brother Van, and probably others like Francis Riggin.

These two servants of the living God were appointed to a new Circuit that was headquartered in Sheridan Montana, called “Bethel Hall” that still stands today as the Fellowship Hall behind Bethel UMC. 

 

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This new Circuit stretched from Virginia City and Bannack, all the way to Salmon City, Idaho; where we are right now.

 

This church was founded roughly 17 years before Idaho became the 43d State, and joined the union in 1890.

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"In 1872, faithful Methodists gathered here with no knowledge of automobiles, electricity, television, or the internet.  

Yet they believed on the name of Jesus Christ, would be a witness in Salmon and put their faith into action by establishing this congregation.

 

We are the beneficiaries of their faith."

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William Wesley "Brother Van" Van Orsdel was one of the legendary Methodist circuit riders of the American West.

He arrived in Montana in 1872, and over the next 45 years became known as "The Best Loved Man in Montana."

 

He traveled thousands of miles on horseback, by wagon, and later by train, preaching wherever people would gather, mining camps, ranches, frontier towns, Native American encampments, and growing communities.

 

He was personal friends with Charles Russel!

 

Russell painted him several times, the most famous being "Brother Van on Buffalo Hunt" (also known as Brother Van Shooting Buffalo), inspired by the story of Van killing a buffalo with a revolver while hunting alongside Blackfeet warriors.

What impresses me even more than the legends is what Brother Van actually accomplished. During his lifetime he helped establish:

• More than 100 Methodist churches

• Over 50 parsonages

• Several hospitals

• A university (which became part of today's Rocky Mountain College)

• Children's homes and other charitable ministries

 

This congregation of Salmon UMC stands in a remarkable lineage.