Havre's Fifth Avenue Christian Church celebrates its centennial

From Ila McLenahan

Special to the Havre Daily News

“One Hundred Years Closer to Eternity.”

This is the theme for the 100th Anniversary of Fifth Avenue Christian Church of Havre, Montana being held this weekend. Many opportunities for fellowship and reminiscing are planned and the communities of Havre and the Hi-Line are invited to all of them.

Activities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday for registration followed by a Barbeque from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A 48’ float depicting the past, present and future of Fifth Avenue Christian Church will be featured in the Festival Days parade. The float will be accompanied by classic cars featuring past and present ministers. On Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. everyone is invited to a Pie Social at the church for a time of “open mike” conversation and personal reminiscing.

The community is invited to a free concert by well-known Christian vocalist Todd Agnew at 7 p.m. Saturday evening in the church sanctuary. On Sunday, a fellowship time of donuts and coffee will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a combined Worship Service featuring past ministers and workers of the church as well as family members of charter members. A congregational barbeque will conclude the celebration activities.

Fifth Avenue Christian Church is a part of a growing number of people within the United States, as well as around the world who have come to be known as “Christian” only. These congregations are simply called Christian Church and Churches of Christ.

The uniqueness of this group lies in its desire to restore the church of the New Testament, not in its form of dress, mode of transportation, or in the language spoken or read, but in its doctrine, ordinances and faith. Because of this position, this purpose to restore, Fifth Avenue Christian Church and others who hold the same convictions have come to look at themselves as the “Restoration Movement.”

The church believes in Jesus Christ the son of God, as Lord and as Savior. The doctrine is simply the word of God. Thus as one man has expressed it, “We have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the name Christian.”

Today, Fifth Avenue Christian Church owes its beginning to several who brought the spirit of this Restoration Movement with them when they came to settle and homestead this area. One of these early settlers was Mrs. L.P. Hatler. She moved from Kansas City, Kansas when she had been an active worker in the Christian Church. After several years, she became dissatisfied with denominationalism and in the fall of 1917, she placed a notice in the local paper requesting members of the Christian Church to contact her. Those that responded met together in a home and the local church was born. Charter members were: Mrs. Cleve Allen, Mrs. Myrtle English, Mrs. Ernest Hatler, Mrs. Garnet Hatler, Mrs. Lydia Hatler, Mr. Oval Hatler, Mrs. Pearl Hatler, Mrs. McGuire, Mrs. TJ McKrosky, Mrs. Jeannie Margett, Mrs. S. M. Wigmore, and Mrs. Mary Jane Williams.

In 1924 a church building was built on Sixth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. In about 1935 a parsonage was built to the east of the church. In the late fifties, the congregation was bulging at the seams. The parsonage was moved to the north side of Sixth Street and an addition for a larger sanctuary was constructed with a fellowship hall and classrooms in the basement.

On March 18, 2001 the first Sunday services were held in the new Fifth Avenue Christian Church located at 2015 Fifth Avenue and dedication services took place on April 22 of the same year. In 2007 the Bridge (the former Coca-Cola warehouse) started to develop into a healthy, safe Christian environment with Bible based teaching and fellowship for junior and senior high students as well of college students.

Rowlie Hutton was called to be the Senior Minister in March of 1997. From the beginning, Rowlie shared his vision of reaching the Hi-Line and wanting to impact one of five people from Chester to Malta. This vision continues to be a major part of the programs at Fifth Avenue Christian Church.

The church has been truly “Covered by Grace” through the one hundred year history of the Christian Church in Havre. The church continues to carry this vision in 2017 and into future years, or until Jesus returns, under the leadership of Senior Minister, Frank Donato. Frank encourages us, as the body of Christ, to create a “Community of Families that Pursue the Heart of Christ.”

Today, Fifth Avenue Christian Church is a vibrant part of the Havre and the Hi-Line community providing spiritual sustenance and reaching out to those in need locally and globally. This is accomplished by two worship services on Sunday mornings, family fellowship classes on Wednesday evenings, youth programs, and Bible studies in homes and at the church facility.

At this 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Christian Church in Havre, it is the congregation’s hope to pause and reflect on the past, but to also praise the Lord for all He has done for the past 100 years. May we say as the apostle Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.