In 2002, Bonners Ferry United Methodist Church commemorated its 100th year as a congregation.  A special worship service led by Bishop Elias Galvan, t-shirt design contest, old-fashioned dress Sunday and Music throughout the ages are just a few of the events that were held to commemorate the last 100 years. 

Because a flood in 1948 destroyed the church records, these facts are taken from the files of the local newspaper, the Bonners Ferry Herald. Mention is made of revival services held by itinerant Methodist Episcopal preachers who came during the 1890s. Sunday school classes were held as early as 1894.

In 1896, Rev. J.M. Eastland was sent by the Helena Montana District to Bonners Ferry to conduct services on both the northside and southside of the Kootenai River. Sunday school classes, young singing groups, prayer meetings, and revival services were held. The Kootenai Herald, July 1897, stated: "The Methodists have organized a church society and propose to erect a church building in the near future." Later in July, the paper stated: "The Methodists have fitted up a building on the Northside and Rev. Green will hold services morning and evening." The Herald, August 1897, wrote: "an Ice Cream Social will be held at the church on the Northside on August 16, 1897. The Ferry will transfer all free, both ways." Proceeds were to go towards papering the building. During 1897-1898, Rev. Eastland nurtured the desire to organize and build a church. Records indicate the Northside building was destroyed in 1896 or 1897. Meanwhile, Church was held at the Knights of Pythias Hall and the City Hall.

The Herald of February 1902, reported: "at a quarterly meeting, the presiding Elder from Kalispell, Montana formally organized the local group of Mehodists in the Methodist Episcopal Church with a membership of thirty-five people." The Methodist Church was organized in the Northside schoolhouse on February 15, 1902, and taken into the Columbia River Conference. This marks the official beginning of the Bonners Ferry United Methodist Church. From 1903 to 1904, Rev. Eastland continued to work here with Rev. O.W. Mentzer and the Presiding Elder from Spokane coming for quarterly conference meeings. Rev. Eastland left in 1904 and was replaced by Rev. L.N. Anderson. Rev. Anderson immediately started a fund drive for a church building. The Richardson family donated lots downtown, and construction for the first church building began in December 1905. The first services in the new building were held April 18, 1906, and the building was dedicated November 13, 1910.

In 1931, Reverend J.R. Norton and the trustees met to discuss the need for additional space. As a result, an annex was built and completed in 1932. In 1939, we became the First Methodist Church. The last debt incurred in the construction of the annex was erased in 1944. In 1948, the church building was moved off its base and suffered other damage by a flood. It was reconditioned in 1949, but the floods of 1955 and 1956 caused too much damage to the structure.

During the 1950s, much thought was directed to when, where, or if we could build a new church away from the flood plain. Rev. W.B. Nelson, a retired minister, with his wife Mildred, came here to spend his retirement years. He became our minister and led us in a campaign to build a new church home. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the current church building on the southside were held in 1956, led by Rev. Nelson. The first service at the present site was held on November 3, 1957. In 1958 the parsonage home was acquired one block from the church building. In 1970, as a result of merging with the Evangelical United Brethren denomination, we became the Bonners Ferry United Methodist Church. October 1974, the church mortgage was burned at a "Homecoming Celebration" with Bishop Wilbur Choy in attendance.

Today, Bonners Ferry United Methodist Church boasts over 200 members, Christian Education for all ages, Family Ministries, members in Mission, active United Methodist Women, accomplished Choir and Praise Band, Youth Drama, Bible Study and a Christ-centered congregation. And for this we thank the 37 pastors and the Lord Jesus Christ who led this church over the last 104 years.

1902 J.M. Eastland
1904 L.N.B Anderson
1905 R.C. Mortor
1906 E.R. Henderson
1908 Ralph Chafee
1909 E.R. Henderson
1910 J.L. Moore
1911 J.J. Pacey
1913 A.W. Roberts
1915 H.T. Robinson
1916 J.A. Hoffman
1917 U.S. Crowder
1919 J.F. Gibson
1920 A.F. Morton
1923 R.W. Mason
1927 Dow Delong
1930 J.R. Norton
1932 W.T. Beatty
1936 Wm. Gornall

1938 M.R. Gallaher
1942 Percy E. Pike
1945 Ralph M. Walch
1948 TBS
1949 Neils A. Christensen
1955 W.B. Nelson
1959 Franklin Summerour
1963 M. Wesley Arms
1966 D.L. Dirks
1970 Kelvin B. Groseclose
1975 Thomas J. Eberle
1981 William Green
1987 Edward Denton
1990 Roberta Claire
1993 Curtis Stamey
1996 Mark McMurray
2000 John Schmelzer
2001 James Murphy