A series where we take a #lookback at the stories and history of our community, brought to you by Mick Pryor, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.
Jami Cannon
Draftsman Frank H. Allyn—the first Engineering graduate from the University of Wyoming and, later, the second Postmaster of Riverton (1907-1914)—acquired lots when Riverton opened for settlement on August 15, 1906. He sent a telegram to his wife Mary in Cheyenne asking her to come and help him hold the lots down so they weren’t taken. Mary (Moore) Allyn and her two young girls Laura and Sadie took the next train down to Shoshoni and arrived in Riverton on September 18, 1906. The family settled into their 8’ x 10’ tent home across the street from where the initial First Baptist Church would later be constructed (at 6th Street and Fremont Avenue).
The Allyn family hadn’t lived in Riverton long before Laura and Sadie started questioning their mother as to why they weren’t attending Sunday School as usual. The children appeared so distraught by missing class that Mary Allyn promised they would have Sunday School after dinner. Due to Laura and Sadie sharing their excitement over the news with their newfound friends on the townsite, eight other children arrived at the Allyn tent right after dinner for the first Sunday School meeting. Mary was more than surprised at her sudden class of ten children, but went ahead with the teaching as planned. This was, arguably, the first religious service held in Riverton.
Mary began regularly hosting children at her home for Sunday School. She moved forward in her efforts and applied for three months of Sunday School supplies from the American Baptist Home Mission Society of Utah and Wyoming. The children’s prodding, followed by Mrs. Allyn’s initial efforts, blossomed into a Union Sunday School held in a small, one-room structure which reached an average attendance of thirty students. Though Mary Allyn no longer held Sunday School at her place of residence, she continued in her efforts of hospitality. Mary went on to host the DORCAS SOCIETY at her home in 1909. The all-women’s Christian society met the first Friday of every month, focusing on sewing garments and providing aid to the poor, orphans, and needy families.
The church grew well beyond its humble beginnings. On April 21, 1907, six charter members organized an official First Baptist Church congregation, including Reverend Asa H. Ballard as the first pastor, Frank H. Allyn as chosen treasurer, Mary Allyn as a member, and other early townsite residents assisting the team as well. The First Baptist Church became the first organized “church” (Christian fellowship group) in town that met at the Chicago and Northwestern (C & NW) Freight Depot, which initially offered a home and meeting area for Christians of all denominations based on the “broadest possible Christian principles,” though there still wasn’t an official standing church building for all to gather in.
After Superintendent Reverend Geo. L. White of the Home Mission Society for the Utah-Wyoming district visited the grassroots Baptist congregation in Riverton from January 25, 1908 to February 6, 1908, land was purchased for a formal church establishment. On February 17, 1908 four 25’ lots were purchased from the Riverton Mining Company at Fremont Avenue and 6th Street. Expansions were added. The First Baptist Church ultimately held its first service in its one-room church building on April 5, 1908. A second room was added in 1909. The purchased lots became the foundation for both the first (1908) and second (1934) First Baptist Church buildings for the congregation. The third building would later be dedicated in 1974 and is currently located at 840 N 1st Street in Riverton.
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
August 15, 2pm at the Riverton Museum, “Archaeology Day” (Children’s Exploration Sponsorship Available)
August 15, 10am at the Dubois Museum, “Kids Corner: Tie-Dye (Children’s Exploration Sponsorship Available)
August 22, 10am with the Pioneer Museum, “Ed Young Apple Orchard Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
August 22, 10am with the Riverton Museum, “St. Stevens Mission Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
Daily through December at the Pioneer Museum, “Sweetwater Ranch Life, The Paintings of Jack Corbett” Exhibition Opening
Rare Relics Road Show: Save the Date: Saturday October 10, 2026 Lander, WY Lander Community Center, You Are Invited! Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution through the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation https://windriverccf.funraise.org/ or by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.