First Lutheran Church (Miles City, Mont.)

Lutheran church work in Miles City began in 1898 when Rev. L. A. K. Carlson rode the Northern Pacific section cars from Glendive to Helena, holding services in cars, in homes, or wherever Scandinavian Lutherans would gather.

Documents in Swedish record November 12, 1905 meeting, to organize the congregation. In 1906 Rev. C. S. Thorpe began work as pastor of the Scandinavian Lutheran Church in Miles City. The congregation changed from Swedish to Norwegian in 1910, and by 1912 they aligned with the Norwegian Synod and changed their name to First Lutheran.

The church was built in 1913 and a parsonage in 1922. A new church was built and dedicated in 1963. First Lutheran has been broadcasting their worship services over the radio since 1955. A Moller pipe organ was installed in 1979. The present baptized membership is 925.

From the guide to the First Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana, Records, 1906-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)