Although the history of the Presbyterian Church in Malad dates back to 1876; a church building did not exist until 1882. When the Reverend Edward M. Knox, the second minister appointed to the Malad Presbyterian Church, arrived in the village in 1882, he immediately began to build a church on Courthouse Hill. That event 140 years ago is the reason for the anniversary celebration to be held on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Everyone is invited to come to the anniversary program to hear the history of the Presbyterian Church, the Mission School, and the Church Bell and learn of their importance to Malad Valley. The program will be held twice, at 5:00 and again at 6:30 p.m. in the historic church chapel.

Memories of attending the “Little Church on the Hill” will be presented by representatives of some of the families that lived in Malad and called the Presbyterian Church their home church. The Evans, Jones, Hansen, Harrison, and Jenkins families feature prominently in the history of Malad and were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.

All students who went to school in Malad prior to 1900 would have attended the Presbyterian Mission School because there was no public school in the 1800s. The primary, intermediate, and grammar levels would be grades 1-8 today. Pictures of some of those ancestors as school children still hang in the church.

Ringing the Presbyterian Church bell was once not just to summon worshippers to church on Sunday. The bell was the fire alarm and was rung to note such joyous occasions as the end of World War II and such sad events as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Ringing the bell and then running before the Sheriff could catch them are memories of a lot of Malad High School boys. 

So come and celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Malad Presbyterian Church with histories, stories, and traditional songs. Refreshments will be served by the members of the church. Parking is limited behind the church, but the courthouse parking lot will be open. Because of construction behind the courthouse, people are asked to walk in front of the courthouse and come in the front doors of the church.