Historic Whitefish church being renovated

One of Whitefish’s historic landmarks is getting a facelift.

An extensive restoration project is underway at the First Presbyterian Church of Whitefish that is expected to take six weeks to complete.

The masonry work of the 94-year-old building has deteriorated in recent years, prompting the effort to shore up the exterior.

“It’s just time to do it,” said Bruce Fraser, who is helping plan the project. “It’s starting to crumble.”

Water has been seeping into masonry joints, exposing the integrity of the structure, he added.

Fraser researched companies experienced in restoration projects through the Montana Historical Society and was pointed to Zoula Masonry Services out of Missoula.

Crews will be repairing coping on top of the church, repairing precast blocks, redoing mortar joints and cleaning the building.

Jahn restoration mortar will be used, which is commonly used to restore cathedrals in Europe.

“It’s amazing stuff,” Fraser said. “The mortar will closely match the era.”

Crews last week erected scaffolding on the south face of the church, which will move to each aspect as work progresses.

The roots of the First Presbyterian Church date back to 1903 when the Rev. Pringle and Rev. E.M. Ellis first held a religious service in the historic settlement of Ramsey on the shore of Whitefish Lake.

Later that year the Lakeside Church was erected on the corner of what is now Woodland and Montana Avenue. The church served as a school during weekdays.

In 1904, the Southside Church was erected at Third Street and Lupfer Avenue to move the congregation closer to the railroad depot.

A growth spurt in 1919 made it necessary for the church to rent the lower level of the Masonic Temple for services. That same year, the congregation adopted a resolution to build a new church.

Dr. William Taylor, who dabbled in architecture, drew up the plans for the structure.

Construction began May 10, 1921 when the cornerstone was placed during a public ceremony.

Total construction costs were estimated at $35,000, which included a full basement gymnasium, the main auditorium and classrooms. Memorial art glass windows were ordered from St. Louis.

Five months later the church opened as one of the largest structures in town.