Featured Article
Billings first Congressional Church
January 14, 2025
Billings First Congregational Church has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal registry of historic buildings and sites across the country. The church is the first religious building in Yellowstone County to earn this recognition.
Billings First Congregational Church was founded in May 1882 by Rev. Benjamin F. Shuart. It was the first faith community established in the fledgling town. Billings—named for the railroad’s former president, Frederick H. Billings—quickly earned the nickname of the “Magic City” due to its explosive growth following the arrival of the railroad in August 1882. The following year, the church completed construction on a permanent brick building situated on a plot of land donated by the townsite company. The building was funded by a substantial donation from the Frederick Billings family. The Congregational church served as the only house of worship in the rapidly growing railroad town for several years.
“The congregation is proud of this designation, and we thank those who worked hard to have the church included on the National Register. But a church is more than a building. For nearly 150 years our congregation has been an essential thread in the fabric of this community.”
Karen Stainton, Church Moderator
From its humble beginnings to the vibrant church of today, Billings First Congregational Church has always been a dynamic presence in the Billings community. During the early years of the town’s history, the church served as an appreciated gathering place for social events and activities at a time when wholesome entertainment opportunities were scarce. It served as an early schoolhouse, helped found an early literary society, and advocated for women’s suffrage. The building served as a makeshift hospital during the Spanish Flu in 1918. Beginning in 1950, the church sponsored the resettlement of families from Hungary and Indonesia, and later, Vietnam. In 1969, First Church was a founding co-sponsor of the Community Day Care, which provided childcare to working and student parents for over 40 years. The church is proud of the role it played in the Not in Our Town movement to combat antisemitism in Billings, for which it was awarded the Roger E. Joseph Prize in 1995.
The church building as it stands today was built in 3 phases between 1928 and 1957. Its architecture represents the Colonial Revival and Midcentury Modern styles. The church’s profile is dominated by a soaring brick belltower, built in 1957 alongside the auditorium at the intersection of N. 27th and 3rd Ave. N. The belltower houses the church’s original 1889 bell, and downstairs in the lobby is a 1942 stained glass window designed by J.K. Ralston. The oldest portion of the current building is the 1928 “Parish House” wing, built as an addition to the former 1883 building. It retains its original hardwood floors, fireplaces, and panelled doors. Another notable feature of the church is a 44-rank Holtkamp pipe organ, completed in 1982 as the largest pipe organ in Montana.
A current space for collaboration, community, and care
The church building serves as an active hub for collaboration, community-building, and care. The church is not just a place of worship—it is home to unhoused neighbors, to justice-seeking organizations, and to community partners who work for equity, dignity, and hope. First Church serves Billings’ unhoused population with a clothing closet, free fridge, and resource referrals. Ongoing partnerships and collaborations include the 406 Pride Resource Center, White Eagle Talking Circle, the UnSpoken Words Podcast, Billings Elite Amateur Boxing, and many others. Scout Troop 2, the oldest active scout troop in the state, has met at the church since 1916.
The impact of this recognition
The National Register listing comes as the church is seeking donations required to match a generous grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant and matching funds will go directly toward making vital improvements to sustain the historic building. These include a new HVAC system to replace an unreliable and inefficient system, ensuring comfort and sustainability; fire safety & sprinkler installation to meet code and protect those who shelter and serve within; and an ADA accessibility lift to provide full access to the 2nd floor.
The church invites both congregation members and the broader Billings community to join in this exciting campaign by leveraging local energy, resources, and talents to match the grant and help ensure the long-term resiliency of this cherished space. To donate, please visit https://billingsfirstchurch.org/resiliency-project or email info@billingsfirstchurch.org. For more information and/or media interviews, please contact Billings First Congregational Church historian, Nathan Sonnenschein, historian@billingsfirstchurch.org, Senior Pastor Lisa K. Harmon, lisa@billingsfirstchurch.org.