Parishioner, 95, celebrates Big Sandy church's 100th birthday

St. Margaret Mary Church in Big Sandy will celebrate its 100th anniversary Sunday, and Margaret Grubb will be front and center at the activities.

The 95-year old has lived through most of the church's history.

She was born in 1918, the year after her parents immigrated from Austria-Hungary, and was baptized in the church.

The church has been the center of her life ever since.

“I had five children, and they were all baptized and confirmed at the church,” she said, and her husband’s funeral was at the church.

“Yes, this church has meant a lot to me,” she said.

Even today, people attending the breakfasts they hold after Mass on Sunday can see Margaret helping to prepare the meal.

At annual dinners, she pitches in to do the cooking. She donates Care and Share food program.

Like many other people in the parish, she has enjoyed the fellowship the church has provided to the community.

Sunday, they will celebrate with a community barbecue and an old-fashioned fun day.

The event has prompted some parishioners to look back at the church’s rich history.

When Big Sandy was first settled, the town’s few Catholics celebrated Mass in people’s homes or sometimes, if the weather wasn’t too cold, in the old Oliver Tingley Opera House. Jesuits traveled the dirt roads from Fort Benton or Havre to preside.

Around 1911, it is believed, the women of the church decided it was time to build a church. The Altar Society held a Grand Ball at the opera house. It cost $1.50 to attend, and the included dinner.

Halloween parties and other events were held to raise money to build the first church.

The church was finished in 1913, and it was then named Corpus Christi, Latin for Body of Christ.

In 1928 Big Sandy was attached to St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Havre. The Jesuits at St. Jude Thaddeus had already served St Anthony’s at Box Elder and Rocky Boy’s St. Mary’s.

In 1945, diocesan priests took over operation of the church, and it became St. Margaret Mary.

Ground was broken for the present church building in 1968, and a classroom addition was built in 1982.

The Rev. Peter Guthneck pastor of St. Margret Mary — along with St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s for over 30 years.

Mass will be held at noon, followed by a dinner consisting of a whole pig roasted by Bob Cecrle, barbecued beef cooked by E.J. Briese and baked beans cooked by Larry Sasaki. In addition, there will be salads, and cake and ice cream.

A large tent will be set up in case of inclement weather.

Big Sandy's Men in Black will provide music for later in the afternoon.

Vintage artifacts will be on display in the church hall.