BICYCLE

ca.1899-1913

2002.45.01 a-d

In the early 1890s, the national Presbyterian Church increased its efforts to minister to children. Consequently, in 1891 Reverend Edwin M. Ellis (1853-1940) was appointed as Montana's first Synodical Superintendent of Sunday School Missions. Tasked with supervising Montana's widely scattered Sunday schools, Ellis visited settlements all over the state-traveling nearly 8,000 miles in his first year. Railroads and stagecoaches couldn't deliver him to every remote congregation, so he used this chainless bicycle to reach them. In 1913, Rev. Ellis relinquished his post due to health problems, but continued his ministry in Helena. By the end of his three-decade career, he had biked over 36,000 miles across the Treasure State. In 2002, Rev. Ellis' grandson donated his bicycle, hymnal carrier, and portable communion set to the Montana Historical Society. The poor condition of his well-used bike illustrates his dedication.