Diocese of South Dakota: Reservation ministry continues without diocese's OK

Episcopal churches slated to be closed.
By Mary Garrigan, Journal staff
Thursday, February 19, 2009

When the Rev. Charles Montileaux showed up at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Kyle on Feb. 8 to conduct Holy Eucharist services, he found the electricity turned off and the altar stripped of its communion chalice, candlesticks and gold cross.

St. Barnabas is one of nine small reservation churches that the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota officially closed late last year because of falling attendance and lack of money. But like other parishes on the list, St. Barnabas continues to hold intermittent services in defiance of that diocesan order. And like Christ Church at Red Shirt Table and Inestimable Gift Church in Allen, St. Barnabas paid its electric bill, Montileaux said. Neither Christ Church nor Inestimable Gift has had its electricity shut off, but spokesmen at both say they worry it will be, despite their willingness and ability to pay the bills.
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