BIRDSEYE — Cherish Shaw darted from the starting point Sunday afternoon on a mission to catch a greased-up pig. And without any hesitation, fear or disgust, catch it she did.

This was the second time the barefoot 8-year-old competed in a greased-pig chase and she’s already looking forward to next year, Shaw said at the eighth annual Roundup Sunday at the Last Chance Chapel.

Some folks arrived to the service on horseback, while others enjoyed a horse-drawn wagon ride under a perfect Montana sky. Horseback riding and pig-catching just scratched the surface of the lineup of Western activities, which included needle-in-a-haystack, steer dummy roping, a dunk tank and a watermelon-eating contest.

Though he couldn’t determine exactly how many people ventured to the church located about eight miles out of town for the free family gathering, the Rev. John Cathcart guessed there were somewhere between 600 to 800.

There was no lack of food, either, with two long tables filled with salads and 200 pounds of chicken, 600 burgers and 300 hot dogs cooked on the grill just outside the front door.

Jerry and Marji Stier of Helena have attended church at the Last Chance Chapel for the past two years. They came to the Queen City by way of Florida and Alabama eight years ago.

“I heard about the church when we first moved here, but I couldn’t find it,” Jerry said.

What the couple finally found was a church family that was just the one they longed for.

It was close to the same experience for Sherrie Christianson and her family.

Christianson, 50, spent 10 months “church-hopping” before finding Last Chance Chapel after moving here from San Diego.

“We met the people and the pastor and knew it’s where we needed to be,” she said. “It feels like home here.”

Since 1996, the nondenominational, independent country church offers a down-to-earth, laid-back feel with friendly people eager to talk or let visitors be.

The Magpie Singers performed American Indian songs. Drum keeper Cary Youpee spoke to the crowd about a time when people were afraid of the drum because they didn’t understand it.

“It’s really all about nature,” he said.

As the group played American Indian music and performed songs like “Mickey Mouse” and “Sponge Bob Square Pants,” many children joined in beating on the drum. The group believes in honoring the past while living in the present, Youpee said, and allowing children to participate is the key to carrying on the tradition.

Nora McTaggart, 66, first attended the church when it was held in the old Birdseye schoolhouse more than 10 years ago.

“There were just a few people when we started,” she said, adding that she’s not surprised at how much it’s grown. “I adore this church.”

The bulletin handed out at the service said the event really started over 60 years ago and was called Rural Life Sunday. Neighbors would come to gather for a church message, potluck and a softball game.

Cathcart said people still enjoy this type of day and it’s grown every year since as it recreates the old days.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com