Serving western Montana since 1884, St. John the Baptist is Montana's oldest Catholic church in continuous use.

"French-speaking immigrants from Quebec and eastern Canada settled here in the Missoula Valley in the late 1850s.  By 1864, French-Canadian Catholics worshiped in a crude log chapel [St. Louis chapel], the second church in Montana Territory established for non-Native Americans.  The Rev. Lactantius G. Tremblay, the community’s first secular priest, arrived from Montreal in 1884 and at once realized the need for a larger church.  The cornerstone was laid during the St. John’s Day Celebration in June of that year.  [An old ship’s carpenter, Lugar Forast, is generally credited as being the primary architect; however, a Missoulian article from August 22, 1884 lists Frank deRosier as foreman.*]  All labor and materials were furnished by the parish community.  Built at a cost of $8,000, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was dedicated on August 10, 1884.

"[Its] simple plan recalls classical revival traditions.  Its arched doors and windows, bell-capped tower, and barrel vaulted ceiling are reminiscent of late Romanesque style.  The bell, installed in 1885, carries a dedication inscribed in French.  A winding staircase constructed with wooden pegs and magnificent carpentry grace the interior.  The red, white, and blue color scheme commemorates the French national flag.  Original pews, numbered and divided for individual families, remain in place."

Early priests served missions throughout the Frenchtown and Hellgate area, including St. Ann (now a parish) in Bonner and St. Francis in DeBorgia.  For specific information on St. John the Baptist's current missions, St. Albert the Great and St. Mary Queen of Heaven, please visit their specific pages in "History," under the "About" tab.

Quoted material from the National Register of Historic Places plaque posted outside the church.  Rev. Tremblay's name has been corrected from "S.J." but is has not been corrected on the sign yet.  The Montana Historical Society's online page for St. John the Baptist has been corrected.
*Frenchtown Valley Footprints, The Frenchtown Historical Society, Frenchtown Valley Footprints, (Missoula:  Mountain Press Printing, 1976), 64
Image below:  1907 postcard of St. John the Baptist and rectory