While the Western Frontier is often viewed as a masculine territory, thousands of women were among the early settlers who moved across the Great Plains. Often with their husbands and young children with plans to establish farms, and start a life full of opportunities not available to women back East. Women served a vital role in often bringing culture to frontier towns, and by helping to establish churches and schools, and create a sense of community.

Such is the case here in Glendive. Only one year after the community was platted in 1881, the Methodists built the first church on Glendive’s South Side in 1882. It was not uncommon for traveling priests to visit frontier towns and offer words of hope and encouragement to settlers often experiencing difficult times. That same year, a traveling Episcopalian priest started visiting the lower Yellowstone valley, making several trips a year. Roughly 10 years later, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church was built where KXGN studios is now located. Other congregations had erected churches before the Episcopalians, but those have since been torn down to make way for new buildings. Regular monthly services were held in Glendive starting in 1882, with the Episcopal minister dividing his time between Glendive, Miles City, Fort Keogh, and Billings. The first baptism was on November 5th 1883 for Henry Villard Bernard. The church has since closed down and is now owned by the Enchanted Room. Venture inside to check out the nationally recognized quilts, along with a gift shop.

Additionally, the First Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage, now the United Methodist Church, is located just down the street at 209 N Kendrick.The Gothic style church was built in 1909, and features a crenelated bell tower, doors and windows with pointed arches, and fine brick detailing. The craftsman style parsonage, with its flared gable roof and open front porch was added in 1913. In 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

A short walk to the north will lead you to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 320 Benham Street. It was built from 1924 to 1926 and replaced the smaller St. Julianna Catholic Church, which the community had outgrown. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Both the First Methodist Episcopal Church and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church were built by Norwegian architect Brynjulf Rivenes. Rivenes had offices in Miles City and here in Glendive. His other prominent architectural accomplishments include, the Glendive City Hall, as well as the Masonic Temple and the Presbyterianian Church, in Miles City.