First Washakie County Church

The board's last line ends in a brand. The circled J is the Circle J Ranch in Ten Sleep Canyon, a United Methodist retreat of about two hundred acres along Ten Sleep Creek, and the church came here in 1975, its third site after the original lot and the 1925 move toward the rodeo grounds. So the oldest church building in the county still belongs to the denomination that incorporated it in 1901, though no longer beside the cemetery where its founding families were given lots. The ranch's century-old orchard funds the place, with an apple festival each fall.

What the plaque says

First Washakie County Church March 14, 1901, Rev. L.C. Thompson, Rev. E.E. Tarbill, Mortimer Lewis, J.W. Carpenter, Kate Lynch and Mark Warner signed papers incorporating the Methodist Church of Ten Sleep and accepted land for a church building and cemetery from David Moses. The community raised $600, supplementing $300 given by Extension Society of Philadelphia. The building started in 1901 by volunteer labor with lumber donated by Milo Burke, was completed in 1904 and dedicated January 8, 1905. Each assisting family was given a lot in the cemetery, where many pioneers rest. The church was moved to its present location in 1925. The annex was added in 1952. Moved to Ⓙ in 1975.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Leigh Creek Monument — 2.4 mi
• Fire Fighters Monument — 9.2 mi