Beginnings: University Congregational, United Church of Christ, has been a presence in Missoula since it began in 1891. With impetus from the Congregational Home Missionary Society, and shepherded by Reverend O.C. Clark, a small chapel was built in "south Missoula". About 70 people were members of this body. Early 1900's: The small church waxed and waned throughout the early 1900's, the property was sold to the Montana Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists, and for a period of seven years (1915-1922) the Congregational church was legally united with/absorbed by the Presbyterian Church in Missoula. Resurrection: In 1922, a group of Congregationalists who discerned a need for direct service to the University of Montana students and a need in a growing city for a church of a more progressive tradition, decided to organize into a church fellowship. Lots were purchased and a new building constructed at the present church site at the intersection of Hilda and University Avenues. Rev. Dr. Hiram B. Harrison, preached (October 1922) at the first service in the assembly room (now known as the Fireside Room) that "University Church shall be a free fellowship of seekers for truth and life; a vehicle of expression of faith as every member believes, a source of inspiration for service; a training agency in life's great school. .... The Community church is broadly and definitely Christian. It is not so much the authority of Jesus as it is the inner light which shone in Him, which dwells in everyone, who, like him, opens his nature unto it. It is the spirit of Jesus that the world needs." A New Name: The Community Church became University Church (Congregational) officially in 1922 or 1923, and was supported throughout the 1930's into the 1950's by Home Mission Funds. During that time a Hammond organ was purchased, Church School and Youth Work were re-established, and acquisition of church pews was discussed. Steady Growth: When the church was mostly out of debt, by the early 1950's, and under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Guy Barnes (1943-1959), the decision was made to build a sanctuary. The little church grew rapidly, began a weekday kindergarten in 1953, and held two Sunday morning services by 1957. Merger: A significant step was taken by University Congregational Church in 1961, when the decision was made to join the large majority of other Congregational Churches in merging with the Evangelical and Reform Church to form the United Church of Christ. New Buildings: During the Rev. Larry Gruman's pastorate (1959-1965), the land for the current education building was purchased, and plans made to purchase a new pipe organ. In 1966, shortly after Rev. Gruman left to become Pastor at the First Congregational Church of Madison, Wisconsin, the University Congregational Church took another step to build an education/office wing next to the church sanctuary and to install the Moller Pipe Organ. The period of the late 1960's through the 1970's was one of richness, with close ties to University students, many educational venues for adults and children, opportunities to join choirs of all generations, and flourishing artistic expression. A Decade of Transition: The 1980's saw the flourishing of strong youth and young adult programs, an increase in lay involvement, a number of changes in the pastoral leadership of the church, a venture into co-ministry, and some deep self-examination by the congregation. New beginnings and a new century: As we headed into our second century, Peter Shober was called to be pastor in 1991. After many years of prayerful study, we voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation in 1993, re-organized our governance in 2000, and instituted a capital campaign to remodel our Sanctuary and Education wings, bringing all, accessibly, 'under one roof' in 1998-1999, when construction was completed. We called Amy Carter to be our Associate Pastor, with special calling to Justice and Witness Ministry, in 2001. We have grown to a congregation of over 600, with spirited preaching, warm fellowship, and vibrant education, justice, outreach, and music programs. Pastors Serving University Congregational Church 1891-1900 O.C. Clark 1900-1903 Joseph Barnes 1904-1905 Sullivan Healey 1906-1907 O.C. Clark 1907-1910 Dwight Bayley 1913-1915 E.D. Gallagher (1915-1921 Union with Presbyterians) 1921-1922 Hiram Harrison 1922-1931 John Hahn 1931-1938 O.R. (Jack) Warford 1938-1943 Gordon Bennett 1943-1959 Guy Barnes 1959-1965 Larry Gruman 1966-1971 Robert Anderson 1971-1982 Carl Schroer 1983-1986 Tom Dicken 1984-1986 Jeff Suddendorf (Associate Minister) 1986-1988 Jeff Suddendorf (Senior Minister) 1988-1989 Jeff Suddendorf (Co-minister) 1988-1989 Rosemary Iha (Co-minister) 1991- Peter Shober 2001- Amy Carter (Associate Minister) Interim Ministers 1965-1966 Guy Barnes 1971-1971 Lobell Bennett 1982-1983 Bruce Cunningham 1986-1988 Barrying Morrison (Associate Minister) 1989-1990 Barbara Archer