Montana District (LCMS)

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Montana District Seal
Montana District Seal

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.

Contents

[edit] Presidents

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

[edit] Oldest congregations

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

[edit] Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

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

[edit] Congregations and missions

Congregations formally organized ("est.") 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)

Circuit 2 (Western)

Circuit 3 (Eastern)

Circuit 4 (Central)

Circuit 5 (Divide)

Circuit 6 (Flathead NW)

[edit] References

  • Archives, Concordia Historical Institute
  • Archives, The Montana District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

[edit] External links

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Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod