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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Community Covenant Church of Missoula Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
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.
Gift of Ray Risho, 2015 and 2018.
Materials were foldered or refoldered and organized into series during processing.
During processing, a book,
Charles Wesley Briggs’ thesis,
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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.
This series contains meeting minutes from various church groups and the board of the Community Covenant Church of Missoula.
This series contains the church's pulpit Bible along with financial records, newsletters, evaluations, bylaws, letters, and several audiocassettes containing church songs.
Dedicated on January 23, 1949 in memory of Fred A. Moore.
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.
Includes letters from church members and meeting minutes discussing the proposed changes
Articles and reflections on the use of gender inclusive language when discussing God
Includes documents relating to both the purchase and the sale of church buildings
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
Documents relating to church choir, Covenant School, and the Central Street Group Home
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.
Contains handwritten edits for revised constitution
Songbooks created specifically by the church community for use during worship
DVD