Montana District (LCMS)

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.

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

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
• Only congregation in North Dakota: Concordia Lutheran Church, Williston, North Dakota, 1933

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.

• 1499- Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, Montana
• 1237- Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, Montana
• 1108- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Glendive, Montana
• 740- First Lutheran Church, Missoula, Montana
• 679- First Lutheran Church, Helena, Montana
• 671- Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Billings, Montana
• 554- Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Falls, Montana
• 539- Saint John Lutheran Church, Laurel, Montana
• 505- First Lutheran Church, Bozeman, Montana
• 429- Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, Montana
• 336- Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidney, Montana
• 330- Grace Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Montana
• 328- Peace Lutheran Church, Great Falls, Montana
• 297- Concordia Lutheran Church, Williston, North Dakota
• 279- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Billings, Montana

• Only congregation in Idaho: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Salmon, Idaho, 108

References

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

External links

• Montana District web site
• LCMS: Montana District
• History of the LCMS in Montana
• Concordia Historical Institute