HomeMy WebLinkAbout203-205 North Church 2024
AE-R FORM 1
ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING RECORD
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1/2023
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
New Forms and Instructions
As of July 2022, this AE-R (Architecture and Engineering Record) form replaces Montana SHPO’s HPR (Historic Property Record) form
for recording historic structures in Montana. Visit https://mhs.mt.gov/shpo/forms to download the most recent versions of SHPO
forms and instructions. If you are uncertain about which form to use, please contact Montana SHPO Cultural Records staff.
REMINDERS
The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that the information in this form is complete and accurate as per the Montana
SHPO’s data standards. Please consult the Montana SHPO Consultation Guide, 2023 for standards for recording cultural and
architectural resources in Montana.
1. Identification
HISTORIC / PROPERTY NAME SMITHSONIAN NUMBER (issued by SHPO)^
Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South & Parsonage 24GA2323
PROJECT NAME PROJECT NUMBER
DATE FIRST RECORDED BY PHONE (000) 000-0000 EMAIL ADDRESS
1984 James R. McDonald Architects Missoula, MT
DATE UPDATED BY PHONE (000) 000-0000 EMAIL ADDRESS
4/2024 Jon Axline (406) 422-2111 talosian@aol.com Helena, MT
2. Location
COUNTY LOT/BLOCK SUBDIVISION STREET ADDRESS CITY / TOWN (NEAREST)
Gallatin Block 1 Babcock & Davis 203-205 N. Church Ave. Bozeman
UTM COORDINATES OR LAT-LONG FOR THE CENTER OF THE SITE, TO THE 6TH
DECIMAL
DATUM (E.g., NAD27, WGS84, etc.)
12: 497616E/5058682N NAD83
TOWNSHIP N/S RANGE E/W SEC QTR TOWNSHIP N/S RANGE E/W SEC QTR
2 S 6 E 7 NE
(tab from last cell to add rows to TRS table)
NARRATIVE / NOTES ON ACCESS (OPTIONAL)
Located at the northwest corner of North Church Avenue and East Lamme Street
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ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING RECORD
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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
3. Ownership and Use
CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE/SURFACE OWNERSHIP CURRENT USE
North Church LLC/Katherine Dayton Office space & rental dwelling Public
Private
ORIGINAL ADMINISTRATIVE/SURFACE OWNERSHIP ORIGINAL/HISTORIC USE
Methodist Episcopal Church (South) Church & Parsonage Public
Private
4. Historic Property/Architecture Description
PROPERTY TYPE* ARCHITECTURAL STYLE TIME PERIOD
Religion No Style 1890-1899/1920-1929
ARCHITECT NAME/FIRM ARCHITECT CITY, STATE BUILDER NAME/COMPANY BUILDER CITY, STATE CONSTRUCTION DATE
John B. Cain (parsonage) Bozeman, MT 1921 (church)
1892 (parsonage)
STATUS NOTES ON STATUS CHANGE
Original location
Addition/alteration
Moved/relocated
Destroyed
Other
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The historic property consists of two features: the Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (F-1) and the parsonage (F-2) next
door.
Feature 1 is a Craftsman style brick church. Built in 1921, the 40' x 65' building faces east onto North Church Avenue. The rectangular
footprint is covered by a gable roof sheathed in asphalt shingles. The gable ends on the east and west are clad in composite siding
and there are knee braces supporting the overhanging eaves. The church is comprised of common bond brick. The building bears on
a raised concrete foundation with a daylight basement. Windows throughout have segmental arch lintels and concrete sills. All
windows are 1/1 double-hung units except for the multi-lite casement windows present on the foundation. A raised brick water table
encircles the building.
A vertical wood slat feature decorates the façade gable end and extends onto the frieze. The primary entry is central to the façade
and is reached by concrete steps flanked by wrought iron handrails. The entry is sheltered by a barrel roof hood supported by large
knee braces. The entry has a segmental arch brick lintel and two fixed transom lites. The double doors each have three fixed
diamond-shaped windows. Single windows on the north and south façade flank the entry.
The south elevation has five window openings. There are also five window openings piercing the concrete foundation. There are no
windows or doors on the rear (west) façade. There are four window openings on the north side of the church. All are of the same
design as those on the south side. The second window opening from the west, however, has been modified into a doorway within
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ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING RECORD
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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
the past twenty years. The upper portion of the former window opening has been infilled with brick. The doorway holds a recent
metal door and is reached by wood steps and a deck. The steps and deck have wood handrails.
Feature 2 is a one-story, No-Style dwelling that was constructed in 1892 as the church’s parsonage. It functioned in that capacity until
at least the late twentieth century. The building exhibits an irregular floor plan covered by intersecting closed gable roofs sheathed in
asphalt shingles. The walls are clad in masonite and the parsonage bears on a plinthed stone foundation. Each of the six gable and
shed roof ends feature round raised medallion siding. Windows throughout are 1/1 double-hung units, except on the south side of
the vestibule where there is a fixed lite window. The east façade and north and south wings display paired windows. The vestibule is
at the inside corner of the east and south wings and faces east. It is accessed through an open-air porch covered by a shed roof
sheathed in asphalt shingles. The southeast corner of the porch roof is supported by a decorative turned spindle post. The porch has
a wood deck. The entry to the vestibule faces east. It has a wood door with an aluminum storm addition.
The north side of the parsonage has a wing extension central to the wall. It has paired 1/1 double-hung windows central to the wing.
A small shed roof addition is adjacent to the wing on the west. It has a single window opening. A window is on the west of the north
side of the house adjacent to the shed roof addition. The rear (west) façade has window openings central to the façade and on the
south. The gable roof is extended to cover what was originally an open-air porch on the west of the house’s south wall. Sanborn Fire
Insurance maps indicate that this structural feature originated as an open air porch that sheltered a secondary entry to the structure.
It was enclosed sometime after 1940, presumably when the house was re-sided in the current cladding. The former porch has a
window opening on the east and a doorway with a wooden door on the west – facing south.
HISTORY OF PROPERTY
In 1866 or 1867, Reverend Learner B. Stateler organized the Methodist Church, South in southwestern Montana. In 1845, the
Methodist General Conference split into two factions over the slavery issue. Prior to his move to Bozeman, Stateler worked as a
circuit rider in Montana. He established Methodist societies in many communities in southwestern Montana, before settling on the
Jefferson River near the headwaters. In July 1885, Stateler and his wife, Melinda, donated the land on which the Methodist Church,
South was built in Bozeman. At that time, Stateler was the Presiding Elder of the Montana Conference of the South Methodist
Church. It may have been the second church organized in Bozeman. An unknown contractor had constructed a church on the lot by
1889. The church was named the Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Reverend David Morton, secretary of
the Board of Extension of the South Methodist Church. The church would function under that name until 1960 (Burlingame 1976:
100; Leeson 1885: 1354-1355; Ambrose, et al., 1960: 1-2; Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps).
For an unknown reason, the c. 1889 church was demolished in 1921 and the existing church built on the lot. In addition to regular
services and meetings, the church served as a meeting place for African American residents on Bozeman’s north side during the
1920s. Indeed, in 1924, the Sweet Pea Study Club, the Bozeman chapter of the Montana Federation of Colored Women, regularly
met in the church and held its 1924 state convention there. In 1939, the north and south branches of the Methodist Episcopal
ministry reunited. The organization changed its name to the Faith Methodist Church in 1960. It held services under that name until
1975 when the building was sold to the Salvation Army. The building functioned as a church until 2015 when it was sold into private
ownership (Bozeman Daily Chronicle 1921; Crystal Alegria correspondence 2024; Burlingame 1976: 100; Dayton correspondence
2024).
In May 1892, Bozeman civil war veteran John B. Cain obtained a contract to build a parsonage on the lot adjacent to the church.
Reverend W. W. Spain and his family were the first occupants of the dwelling. An undated historic photo of the parsonage shows it as
being clad in clapboard siding with corner boards, and a wood water table. Over the years, the parsonage not only provided living
quarters for church’s pastor and his family, but also served as a meeting place for church-sponsored organizations, such as the
Epworth League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Sunday school and “preaching” were held in the parsonage when
the new church was under construction in 1921. Local newspapers also indicate that weddings and other church activities occurred
in the parsonage. The dwelling functioned off and on as a parsonage, office, and rental until 2015; it is now a rental unit not
associated with any church (“Local Miscellany,” The Bozeman Avant Courier, May 21, 1892; Ambrose, et al. 1960: 6; Photograph No.
99.1085, Churches – Bozeman, Gallatin County Historical Museum; Bozeman City Directories; Dayton correspondence 2024).
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1/2023
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
5. National Register Evaluation and Assessment
HAS A FORMAL ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION BEEN PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THIS SITE/PROPERTY?
No formal determination Yes, determined NOT eligible Yes, determined eligible Yes, NR listed Unknown
PROVIDE YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE SITE’S/PROPERTY’S ELIGIBILITY FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER
Meets criteria as an individual property Meets criteria as a contributing element to a historic district
Does not meet criteria Does not meet criteria, and is a non-contributing element to a historic district
Historic District Name:
APPLICABLE NR CRITERIA+ ARGUMENT FOR OR AGAINST EACH NR CRITERION
A – Events
YES NO
Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church was a long-time religious institution in
Bozeman and Gallatin County, tracing its origins back to the 1860s. The first incarnation of the
church (c. 1885 – 1920) and its current manifestation played important roles in the secular
history of Bozeman and functioned as significant meeting place and community center for
local organizations, including the north side African American community in the early
twentieth century. The church appeared to have been concerned about important social
issues at the time, including racial equality. The church is significant to Bozeman’s history. The
parsonage functioned as living quarters for reverends and their families, who preached at this
venue for nearly a century. The parsonage, like the church, also functioned as an important
gathering area and hosted a variety of different events.
B – Persons
YES NO
The church and parsonage hosted a variety of ecclesiasticals and their families over the course
of nearly a century. None, however, had a lasting impact on the history of Bozeman and
Gallatin County.
C – Characteristics
YES NO
This historic property represents two distinct architectural periods that do not compliment
each other. Designed and built in 1921, the current church does not exhibit the same rich
architectural detailing present on the first Morton Memorial church. It displays a simple
architectural design that may be in keeping with the conservative values of the church. The
parsonage, although built three decades earlier, also exhibits that austere presentation, but is
obviously from a different era. Modifications made to the exterior of the parsonage have also
significantly diminished its overall appearance and ability to display its significance to the
neighboring church. In this instance, the Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church is
eligible for the National Register under Criterion C, while the parsonage is ineligible for the
National Register because of its diminished architectural integrity.
D – Information
YES NO
The historic property does not have the potential to yield information important to our
understanding of the development of religious institutions in Bozeman or add to our
knowledge of the construction of churches and parsonages in Bozeman.
INTEGRITY (LOCATION, DESIGN, SETTING, MATERIALS, WORKMANSHIP, FEELING, ASSOCIATION)
The Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage stand at their original locations. The church was constructed in
1921. It is not known who designed and constructed it. The church’s architectural design is intact and appears to be largely
unchanged since 1921. The gable end decoration and hood on the façade may not be original to the building, but it does not detract
significantly from the overall design of the building. The historic fenestration is still present as are the architectural detailing,
including the Craftsman-style knee brackets, segmental arch lintels and the projecting sills. Sometime within the past 25 years,
though, a new entry was constructed on the north elevation. It was placed in a window opening and the opening enlarged for the
doorway. The former presence of the window is still observable based on the different style brick used to infill the top part of the
window opening. The new doorway is on the northside of the church toward the back of the building and is not readily seen while
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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
standing on North Church Avenue or Lamme Street. The neighborhood setting of the property is still evident. The materials used to
construct the church (brick) are still present. The building retains good integrity of workmanship, feeling, and association as a
religious institution.
Built in 1892, the parsonage predates the church by 29 years. Historically, it occupies the same lot as the church. It was originally
associated with the c. 1885 Morton Memorial church. The dwelling exhibits a simple design that is now devoid of much detailing
other than the raised medallions in the gable and shed roof ends. It occupies its original location and neighborhood setting is still
intact. The design of the residence has been diminished by the addition of materials that are vastly different than what historically
adorned the building (clapboard siding, corner boards, and a wood water table). The façade porch and spindle roof support is still
present as is the original fenestration of the windows and façade doorway. A former open-air side porch was enclosed when the
building was re-sided at an unknown date. It is difficult to determine what other architectural features once adorned the building. As
it currently stands, the parsonage presents a drab, architecturally nondescript dwelling in a neighborhood of more architecturally
distinct residences.
POSSIBLE IMPACTS TO THE SITE
6. Information Sources
LIST CITATIONS FOR INFORMATION SOURCES USED TO COMPLETE THIS FORM.
Ambrose, Zola, Rena Mantilla, and Jessie Aiken. A History of Faith Methodist Church. Bozeman: Faith Methodist Church Press, 1960.
Bozeman City Directories. Helena: R. A. Polk and Co., 1900-1959.
Burlingame, Merrill G. Gallatin County’s Heritage: A Report of Progress, 1805-1976. Bozeman: Gallatin County Bicentennial
Committee, 1976.
Email. Crystal Allegria, Extreme History Project, to Jon Axline, April 2, 2024.
Email. Katherine Dayton, current owner of the property, to Jon Axline, April 17, 2024.
Leeson, M. A. History of Montana, 1739-1885. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Company, 1885.
“Local Miscellany.” The Bozeman Avant Courier, May 21, 1892.
“Local Miscellany.” Weekly Avant Courier, September 4, 1897.
Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory. 203 North Church. James R. McDonald Architects P.C. Missoula, Montana. August
1984.
“Morton Memorial Methodist Church.” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, March 26, 1921.
“New Minister Joining Bozeman UMC Parish.” The Montana Standard, July 20, 1968.
“New Pastor Comes to Morton Memorial.” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, January 22, 1921.
“Notice.” The Bozeman Avant Courier, May 15, 1897.
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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
Photo Archives. Gallatin County Historical Museum. Bozeman, Montana.
“Reader Speaks on Constitution.” Gallatin County Tribune & Belgrade Journal, October 22, 1970.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Viewed at https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/login?location=%2fabout&accountid=2790.
“Social Events.” Gallatin County Republican, November 13, 1900.
“The Churches.” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, December 29, 1918.
United States Census Records. Viewed at www.ancestry.com.
“Women’s Society Observes 25th Anniversary.” Gallatin County Tribune, February 11, 1965.
“WTCU Program was on Service.” Gallatin County Tribune & Belgrade Journal, December 24, 1959.
7. List of Photos and Maps
IMPORTANT: DO NOT insert images for photos, maps, and other figures to this document. Supporting photographs, maps, and
other figures referenced in the table below need to be formatted, saved, and submitted according to SHPO’s Guidelines and Samples
for CSR/AER Form Attachments. For more detailed mapping and photography standards, please review Montana SHPO Consultation
Guide, 2023.
FIGURE NUMBER DESCRIPTION / CAPTION PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTO DATE
Photo 1 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to northwest Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 2 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to west Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 3 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to northeast Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 4 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to southwest Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 5 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to west Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 6 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to northeast Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 7 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to northwest Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 8 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to west Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 9 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to southwest Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 10 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to southwest Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 11 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to ESE Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 12 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to northeast Jon Axline 4/2024
Photo 13 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). View to east Jon Axline 4/2024
Map 1 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). Aerial view
Map 2 Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (24GA2323). Locational map
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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE | PO Box 201202 – Helena, MT 59620-1202 | (406) 444-7715 – mtshpo@mt.gov
Ver. 1/2023 | https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/AERform1.pdf
(tab from last cell to add rows to photos and maps table)
^ See Checklist 2: Submitting Site Records and Requesting Smithsonian Numbers (Appendix D.2) and Documenting Sites (section
2.3) of the Montana SHPO Consultation Guide, 2023.
Online: https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/Archaeology/ConsultingWith
* See Site/Property Types, Time Periods, and Diagnostic Types for Cultural and Architectural-Engineering Records.
Online: https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/docs/CSR_AER_Codes.pdf
+ See How to Apply National Register Criteria for Evaluation. National Park Service, National Register Bulletin. 1997.
Online: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf
Photo 1. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Facade &
south wall. View to northwest.
Photo 2. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Facade.
View to west.
Photo 3. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. South side
and rear (west) facade. View to northeast.
Photo 4. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. North side.
View to southwest.
Photo 5. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Detail of
façade doorway. View to west.
Photo 6. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Shed
addition. View to northeast.
Photo 7. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 2. Facade.
View to northwest.
Photo 8. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Facade.
View to west.
Photo 9. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Facade.
View to southwest.
Photo 10. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. North
side. View to southwest.
Photo 11. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Rear
facade. View to East-southeast.
Photo 12. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Facade.
View to east.
Photo 13. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Feature 1. Rear
facade. View to northeast.
Map 1. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Aerial view.
Map 2. Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church & Parsonage (24GA2323). Location map at
1:24,000 scale T2S, R6E, S7 NE