Montana District (LCMS)
Encyclopedia
Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is organized into 35 districts, 33 of which are defined along geographic lines. Each district has a president who oversees the congregations in his district, which are further subdivided into local circuits...
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
(LCMS), and comprises the state of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, also including one congregation in Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
; the rest of Idaho is included in the Northwest District
Northwest District (LCMS)
The Northwest District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington; one Idaho congregation is in the Montana District...
. The Montana District includes approximately 67 congregations and missions, subdivided into 6 circuits
Circuit (LCMS)
A circuit, in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , is a local grouping of congregations within one of the Synod's 35 districts. Circuits typically include 8 to 12 congregations...
, as well as 18 preschools and 7 elementary schools
Lutheran school
Lutheran schools and education were a priority for Lutherans who emigrated to the United States and Australia from Germany and Scandinavia. One of the first things they did was to create schools for their children. This strong educational tradition was handed down from Martin Luther himself. The...
.http://www.mtdistlcms.org/ [ Baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
membership in district congregations is approximately 15,000, making it one of the two smallest districts along with the Wyoming District
Wyoming District (LCMS)
The Wyoming District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the state of Wyoming as well as the Nebraska Panhandle and one congregation in Colorado; the rest of Nebraska constitutes the Nebraska District except for one congregation in the Rocky Mountain...
, which is roughly equal in size; a merger of the two districts has been proposed http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=10180.
The Montana District was formed in 1945 when the North Dakota and Montana District was divided, also creating the North Dakota District
North Dakota District (LCMS)
The North Dakota District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of North Dakota as well as including one congregation in South Dakota; the rest of South Dakota constitutes the South Dakota District...
. District offices are located in Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
. The Rev. Terry Forke became the district president in September 2006. 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 15-18, 2009, and the next will be held June 11-14, 2012 in Billings.
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, MontanaHelena, MontanaHelena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
- 1888 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Butte, MontanaButte, MontanaButte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
- 1892 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Falls, MontanaGreat Falls, MontanaGreat Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
- 1895 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, MontanaKalispell, MontanaKalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
- 1896 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Anaconda, MontanaAnaconda, MontanaAnaconda, county seat of Anaconda City/Deer Lodge County, is located in mountainous southwestern Montana. The Continental Divide passes within 8 miles of the community with the local Pintler Mountain range reaching 10,379 feet...
- 1900 - First Lutheran Church, Missoula, MontanaMissoula, MontanaMissoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
- 1905 - Grace Lutheran Church, Hamilton, MontanaHamilton, MontanaHamilton is a city in and the county seat of Ravalli County, Montana, United States. The population was 3,705 at the 2000 census. Significant outlying population growth is shown in the area; the ZIP Code Tabulation Area for Hamilton's ZIP Code, 59840, had a population of 12,327at the 2000 census.-...
- 1906 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, MontanaMiles City, MontanaMiles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
- 1911 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Harlowton, MontanaHarlowton, MontanaHarlowton is a city in and the county seat of Wheatland County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,062 at the 2000 census. The city was once the eastern terminus of electric operations of the Milwaukee Road railroad's "Pacific Extension" route, which went all the way to Avery, Idaho. ...
- 1912 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Libby, MontanaLibby, MontanaLibby is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Libby is located at , along U.S. Route 2....
- 1912 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Bridger, MontanaBridger, MontanaBridger is a town in Carbon County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 745 at the 2000 census.The town of Bridger was named for the scout Jim Bridger...
- 1912 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Roundup, MontanaRoundup, MontanaRoundup is a city in and the county seat of Musselshell County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,788 during the 2010 census.-Geography:...
- 1912 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Plentywood, MontanaPlentywood, MontanaAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,061 people, 857 households, and 522 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,756.1 people per square mile . There were 1,020 housing units at an average density of 869.1 per square mile...
- 1913 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Laurel, MontanaLaurel, MontanaLaurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east-west terminal division point of the Burlington-Northern Railroad.. The population was 6,781 at the 2010 census.Both...
- 1913 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Park City, MontanaPark City, MontanaPark City is a census-designated place in Stillwater County, Montana, United States. The population was 870 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Park City is located at ....
- 1913 - Zion Lutheran Church, Chinook, MontanaChinook, MontanaChinook is a city in and the county seat of Blaine County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,386 at the 2000 census. Points of interest are the Bear Paw Battlefield Museum located in the small town's center and the Bear Paw Battlefield, located just twenty miles south of...
- 1913 - Zion Lutheran Church, Power, MontanaPower, MontanaPower is a census-designated place in Teton County, Montana, United States. The population was 171 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Montana pioneer, Thomas Charles Power.-Geography:Power is located at ....
- Only congregation in Idaho: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Salmon, IdahoSalmon, IdahoSalmon is a city in Lemhi County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,122 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Lemhi County...
, 1978 - Only congregation in North Dakota: Concordia Lutheran Church, Williston, North DakotaWilliston, North Dakota-Demographics:Preliminary data from a 2010 housing study indicates that population has grown by nearly 22 percent over the past decade; the actual increase might be much higher. Williston is in western North Dakota's booming oil patch, and adequate, affordable housing has become a concern. The...
, 1933
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 1499- Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, MontanaKalispell, MontanaKalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
- 1237- Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, MontanaBillings, MontanaBillings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
- 1108- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Glendive, MontanaGlendive, MontanaGlendive is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, Montana, United States. The population was 4,935 at the 2010 census.The town of Glendive is located in South Eastern Montana and is considered by many as an agricultural hub of Eastern Montana...
- 740- First Lutheran Church, Missoula, MontanaMissoula, MontanaMissoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
- 679- First Lutheran Church, Helena, MontanaHelena, MontanaHelena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
- 671- Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Billings, MontanaBillings, MontanaBillings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
- 554- Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Falls, MontanaGreat Falls, MontanaGreat Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
- 539- Saint John Lutheran Church, Laurel, MontanaLaurel, MontanaLaurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east-west terminal division point of the Burlington-Northern Railroad.. The population was 6,781 at the 2010 census.Both...
- 505- First Lutheran Church, Bozeman, MontanaBozeman, MontanaBozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
- 429- Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, MontanaMiles City, MontanaMiles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
- 336- Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidney, MontanaSidney, MontanaSidney is a city in and the county seat of Richland County, Montana, United States, less than away from the North Dakota border. The population was 5,191 at the 2010 census. The city lies along the Yellowstone River and is in proximity to the badlands of the Dakotas...
- 330- Grace Lutheran Church, Hamilton, MontanaHamilton, MontanaHamilton is a city in and the county seat of Ravalli County, Montana, United States. The population was 3,705 at the 2000 census. Significant outlying population growth is shown in the area; the ZIP Code Tabulation Area for Hamilton's ZIP Code, 59840, had a population of 12,327at the 2000 census.-...
- 328- Peace Lutheran Church, Great Falls, MontanaGreat Falls, MontanaGreat Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
- 297- Concordia Lutheran Church, Williston, North DakotaWilliston, North Dakota-Demographics:Preliminary data from a 2010 housing study indicates that population has grown by nearly 22 percent over the past decade; the actual increase might be much higher. Williston is in western North Dakota's booming oil patch, and adequate, affordable housing has become a concern. The...
- 279- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Billings, MontanaBillings, MontanaBillings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
- 1499- Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, Montana
- Only congregation in Idaho: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Salmon, IdahoSalmon, IdahoSalmon is a city in Lemhi County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,122 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Lemhi County...
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