Paris, Idaho was settled in the fall of 1863. Two years later, James Nye and others erected a building for church, school, and recreation from logs hauled from George Sirrine's sawmill. It measured 20' x 60' with two large rooms and a stage at one end, and later an annex, balcony, and belfry were added. In 1870, the first ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized with Henry D. Horne as bishop. Thomas Sleight and Louis Ricks taught school there, and its bell rang for assembly until 1942.