History

Eleven people began Montgomery Evangelical Free Church in 1965.  Those eleven shared a deep desire for a church home where a body of believers could have a part without reservation or hindrance.  Some had belonged to Free Churches before.  They were drawn to the Free Church again because of the liberty it gives each local congregation to set policies and handle its own affairs provided it adheres to the Evangelical Free Church Articles of Faith.

The eleven started with prayer.  After many weeks they felt the Lord's leading, took a step of faith and started public worship services at the Burnt Hill Road School on Sunday, March 13, 1966.  They purchased a new parsonage and three acres of land in the Montgomery Township.  The church building was constructed on this site in 1970.  This building was soon filled with Christians delighted to find a church alive with God's Spirit.

In March 1981, the congregation voted to purchase a 12-acre tract of land directly across from the original building.  A Building Committee was established in January 1982 and an architect's design concept was approved.  On Palm Sunday, 1984, they moved into the present sanctuary.  In June of 1997, we broke ground for a Christian Education and Fellowship facility.  It cost $1.6 million, with the outstanding balance paid in January 2003.  This addition consists of a much-needed multi-purpose room, a large kitchen and several classrooms.  Responding to the significant growth of families with small children, our building planners expanded space for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Over the years, our Senior Pastors have been Rev. Ted Loy (Interim Pastor, six months, 1967), Rev. Robert Gustafson (1967-1980), Rev. Donald K. Childs (1981-1986), Rev. John Luyben (1988-1993) and Rev. Dwight Hodne (1995 to 2006).  Youth ministers have been Dennis Ross (1973), John Tenjack (1975-1978), John Auxier (1977-1987), David W. Loesser (1989-1996), Scott Craddock (1997-2001), and Samuel Kee (2003-2005).  Our Associate Pastors of Ministries have been Mike Sullivan (1993-1996), Steve Kilgore (1999-2002) and Bill Carrol ( 2004-2005).