Community Covenant Church of Missoula Records, 1930-2003

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Community Covenant Church of Missoula
Title
Community Covenant Church of Missoula Records
Dates
1930-2003 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.1 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 883
Summary
This collection contains the records of the Community Covenant Church of Missoula located in Missoula, Montana. Founded in 1885, the church went through several name changes and was previously known as the Swedish Congregational Church, the Swedish Mission Covenant, and the Evangelical Covenant Church. This collection includes a church constitution, by-laws, meeting minutes, budget records, the church's Bible, and membership and guest lists.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula. Items containing sensitive information about individuals who may be living have been restricted until January 1st, 2089.

Languages
English.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Community Covenant Church of Missoula originally organized as the Christ Independent Church of Scandinavians in 1893. In 1894, the congregation incorporated with the state of Montana under the name: Swedish Congregational Church of Missoula. The original church had no formal affiliation until 1897 when it joined the American Congregational Union. In 1911, the church began to distance itself from the Congregational Union and associated more with the Swedish Mission Covenant. The transition to a covenant church was complete by 1923 and the church began to identify as the Mission Covenant Church in the 1940s.

The church officially changed its name to Community Covenant Church in 1952 but was calling itself the Evangelical Covenant Church of Missoula by the middle of the decade. In 1967, the congregation was introduced to the ideas of church renewal and a revival of Christian enthusiasm by Pastor Robert Dan Simmons, who believed the church should be more involved in people’s lives. A transformation of church ideals began in the winter of 1970 and encouraged converts and existing members to participate in the revitalization of close community life; however, these new ideals contrasted with the older Lutheran devotion and caused a clash between the local renewal movement and dominant religious culture. This clash resulted in a split within the congregation and some members leaving the church. Pastor Simmons was joined by Pastor Tom King, who further emphasized the church's commitment to community service and connection.

The new ideals posited by the remaining church members encouraged the creation of businesses that fostered a closer community. In 1972, the church purchased a Mexican restaurant, Estilitas. Members of the church also started a food cooperative, the Good Food Store, in 1973. The formation of a non-profit corporation, Anchor Fellowship, by the congregation that same year, marked the beginning of a more directed effort to engage the church's teachings with the community. The Anchor Fellowship intended to support lay ministers and missionaries "through the formation and operation of businesses" and by creating educational opportunities. Anchor Fellowship owned or operated several ventures in the 1970s and 1980s including the Emmaus Road (a restaurant), Anchor Furniture, and Anchor Books, all located in Missoula. It also absorbed the Good Food Store following the dissolution of the cooperative.

Also in the 1970s, the church began operating two group homes for developmentally disabled adults, operated by church members. The Central Street House, which accepted residents of any gender opened first, followed by the women-only Chara House. The group homes ceased operations with the dissolution of the church and alternate accommodations were found for the remaining residents.

The church officially disbanded in the 1990s.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Community Covenant Church of Missoula records contain a church constitution, by-laws, meeting minutes, budget records, some information about its businesses, and membership and guest lists. The collection also includes a Holy Bible that was used in the church and a set of five audio cassette tapes of recorded church songs.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. The University of Montana holds non-exclusive copyright for this collection.

Preferred Citation

Community Covenant Church of Missoula Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Materials are arranged into three series:

Series I: Congregation Registers and Guest Books, 0.7 linear feet, 1930-1991

Series II: Meeting Minutes, 0.4 linear feet, 1937-1989

Series III: Operating Materials and Correspondence, 1.2 linear feet, 1949-1989

Series IV: Tom King Files, 0.8 linear feet, 1950-2003

Series V: Ray and Susie Risho Files, 0.4 linear feet, 1970-1992

Custodial History

This collection was in the possession of the Community Covenant Church of Missoula until its dissolution in the 1990s. Raymond Risho, a leader in the church and member of the congregation, was given the materials for safekeeping at that time and he donated the collection to Archives and Special Collections in 2015. In 2018, Risho donated additional personal materials and materials he was given by Paster Tom King to add to the collection.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Ray Risho, 2015 and 2018.

Processing Note

Materials were foldered or refoldered and organized into series during processing.

Separated Materials

During processing, a book, Pictures in Palestine. The Story of Jesus, A Book for the Home., was removed from the collection and added to Special Collections.

Related Materials

Charles Wesley Briggs’ thesis, Evangelical Transformations: A Historical Study of the Community Covenant Church of Missoula, Montana, is available at Archives and Special Collections at the University of Montana.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Congregation Registers and Guest Books, 1930-1991Return to Top

0.7 linear feet

This series contains documents that list the names of congregation members and guests who attended the church, often with additional information including their address and if/when they left or joined the church.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Register and Record of Swedish Covenant Church
1930s
1/2
Guest Book
1964-1969
1/3
Guest Book
1969-1971
1/4
Guest Book
1971-1973
1/5
Guest Book
1973-1977
2/1
Guest Book
1983-1991
2/2
"Covenanting," Membership Register
1985-1987

Series II:  Meeting Minutes, 1937-1989Return to Top

0.4 linear feet

This series contains meeting minutes from various church groups and the board of the Community Covenant Church of Missoula.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/3
Evangelical Mission Covenant Church Minutes
1937-1951
2/4
Women's Missionary Society of Community Covenant Church Minutes
1954-1962
2/5
Church Board Meeting Minutes
1962-1969
2/6
Christian Women's Auxiliary/ Covenant Women Minute Book
1963-1970
2/7
Church Meeting Minutes and Reports
1970-1973
2/8
Anchor Fellowship Meeting Minutes
1973-1975
3/1
Elder's Meeting Minutes
1973-1984
3/2
Community Covenant Church Meeting Minutes
1987
3/3
Community Covenant Church Meeting Minutes
1988
3/4
Community Covenant Church Meeting Minutes
1989

Series III:  Operating Materials and Correspondence, 1949-1989Return to Top

1.2 linear feet

This series contains the church's pulpit Bible along with financial records, newsletters, evaluations, bylaws, letters, and several audiocassettes containing church songs.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
4
Holy Bible
Dedicated on January 23, 1949 in memory of Fred A. Moore.
1949
Box/Folder
3/5
Women's Auxiliary Account Book
1959-1970
3/6
Monetary Reports and Budgets
1969-1989
3/7
Letters to the Church
1970-1988
3/8
Church Laws and Guidelines
1982-1989
3/9
Member Responses to Church Questions
1987
3/10
Newsletters
1987-1989
3/11
Sunday School Evaluations
1989
3/12
Anchor Fellowship - By Laws and Budgets
1973 and undated
3/13
Anchor Fellowship - Emmaus Road
undated
Box
5
Story Song Recordings
undated

Series IV:  Tom King Files, 1950-2003Return to Top

0.8 linear feet

This series contains the records of Tom King, pastor of the Community Covenant Church. It consists primarily of meeting minutes for the boards on which King was a member, and church financial documents. The series also contains records of the changes made to the church constitution and bylaws.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/14
Community Covenant Church Articles of Incorporation
1952, 1965-1984, 1992
3/15
Church Constitution and Bylaws
Includes letters from church members and meeting minutes discussing the proposed changes
1992-1995
3/16
Church bylaws and policies
1988
6/1
Old constitutions
1979-1992, 1950
6/2
Church organizational documents
1988-1989, 1984
6/3
Worship Ministry
1980-1983
6/4
God and Language
Articles and reflections on the use of gender inclusive language when discussing God
1989, 1992, undated
6/5
Pastors/Elder Team Consecration
1984
6/6
Membership/Covenating Information
1980-1992
6/7
Abstract of Title: The Elms Addition no. 2, Block 5, Lot 4: Missoula
1956
6/8
Mortgage and Real Estate documents
Includes documents relating to both the purchase and the sale of church buildings
1956-1984, 1992
6/9
Financial Statements
1981-1988
6/10
Rentals
1988
6/11
Covenant Pension Fund - Correspondence
Includes several years of conflict between the church and the organization of Covenant Churches about the Missoula Church's desire to opt out of the pension plan
1978-1989, 1993
6/12
Church Newsletters
1988-1989
6/13
Church Council Meeting Minutes
1988-1989
6/14
Community meeting minutes, newsletters, and financial reports
1988-1989
6/15
Diaconate Meeting Minutes
1983-1989
6/16
Community Meeting Minutes and Church Programs
1994-1995
7/1
Group Home Board Meeting Minutes
1988
7/2
Central St. Group Home - financial documents
1978-1987
7/3
Group Homes: History, Brochures, and Evaluations
1984-1989
7/4
Church-run institutions
Documents relating to church choir, Covenant School, and the Central Street Group Home
1979, 1996-2003
7/5
Agenda notes
1989
7/6
Miscellaneous records
1989, undated

Series V:  Ray and Susie Risho Files, 1970-1992Return to Top

0.4 linear feet

This series contains documents collected by Ray and Susie Risho, active members and elders of the Community Covenant Church. Included in this series are records for the two group homes for developmentally disabled adults run by the church, as well as other records and meeting minutes collected by the Rishos.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/7
Church Constitution and Bylaws
Contains handwritten edits for revised constitution
undated
7/8
Group Homes: policies and blank forms
undated, 1990
7/9
Group Homes: Central St. Home
1991
8/1
Group Homes: Chara House [RESTRICTED]
1992
7/10
Group Homes: Budgets
1990-1992
7/11
Group Home Board Meeting Minutes
1989-1992
7/12
Group Homes: Policies, rules, and miscellaneous records
1991, undated
7/13
All Pastors Meeting minutes
June 18th, 1983
7/14
Middle East Peace and Justice Committee meeting minutes
1982-1984
7/15
Church songbooks
Songbooks created specifically by the church community for use during worship
1970, undated
7/16
Church Programs and Songsheets
1988-1991
7/17
"There's a New Wind Blowing"
DVD
1973

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Christian-owned business enterprises--Montana--Missoula
  • Swedish Americans--Montana--Missoula--Religion

Geographical Names

  • Missoula (Mont.)--Church history--20th century
  • Missoula (Mont.)--Religious life and customs
  • Montana--Church history

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound Recordings