Montana District (LCMS)

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The Montana District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of Montana, also including one congregation in Idaho; the rest of Idaho is included in the Northwest District. The Montana District includes approximately 65 congregations and missions, subdivided into 6 circuits, as well as 14 preschools and 3 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 15,000, making it one of the two smallest districts along with the Wyoming District, which is roughly equal in size; a merger of the two districts has been proposed [1].

The Montana District was formed in 1945 when the North Dakota and Montana District was divided, also creating the North Dakota District. District offices are located in Billings, Montana; the Rev. Terry Forke became the district president in September 2006 [2]. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers; the last convention was held on June 19-22, 2006, and the next will be held in 2009.

1 Presidents
2 Oldest congregations
3 Largest congregations
4 Congregations and missions
5 External links

[edit] Presidents

Rev. Paul M. Freiburger, 1945–66
Rev. August F. Droegemueller, 1966–69
Rev. George F. Wollenburg, 1969-77
Rev. Harold V. Huber, 1977-84 (died in office)
Rev. Albert G. Pullmann, 1984-89
Rev. Richard Kiessling, 1989-92
Rev. George F. Wollenburg, 1992-2006
Rev. Terry R. Forke, 2006-present

[edit] Oldest congregations

1887 - First Lutheran Church, Helena, Montana
1888 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Butte, Montana
1892 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Falls, Montana
1895 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, Montana
1896 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Anaconda, Montana
1900 - First Lutheran Church, Missoula, Montana
1905 - Grace Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Montana
1906 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana
1911 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Harlowton, Montana
1912 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Libby, Montana
1912 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Bridger, Montana
1912 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Roundup, Montana
1912 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Plentywood, Montana
1913 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Laurel, Montana
1913 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Park City, Montana
1913 - Zion Lutheran Church, Chinook, Montana
1913 - Zion Lutheran Church, Power, Montana

Only congregation in Idaho: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Salmon, Idaho, 1978

[edit] Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

1581 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, Montana
1198 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, Montana
1042 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Glendive, Montana
776 - First Lutheran Church, Missoula, Montana
738 - First Lutheran Church, Helena, Montana
648 - Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Billings, Montana
588 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Falls, Montana
517 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Laurel, Montana
463 - First Lutheran Church, Bozeman, Montana
450 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana

Only congregation in Idaho: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Salmon, Idaho, 183

[edit] Congregations and missions

Congregations established prior to 1930, or having 600 or more members, are noted (membership figures are c. 2006); in the absence of one or both of these within a circuit, the oldest and/or largest congregation is noted.

Circuit 1 (Southern)