New Life Church celebrates 75 years

Generations of Polson faithful have grown up with the New Life Church family guiding them through life. Those generations are reconnecting this summer to celebrate the church’s 75th anniversary.

For the month of August, New Life is taking a look back on its history, which began with Reverend A.J. Morrison playing gospel music on a tiny, foldable pump organ on the streets of Polson in 1945. That organ was donated to the church by Morrison’s daughter, Julene Hatlin, and is on display in the foyer.

Photographs and memorabilia are displayed throughout the sanctuary and the Connect Room, including memories of youth activities and the large musical productions led by Carol Jones in the late 70s and early 80s.

Stories and histories of the pastors and families who have shaped the church in its first 75 years, collected and compiled by Jan Irwin, will be available in a book coming out within the next couple weeks.

Services throughout the month follow the ontogeny of the Polson church, with a progression of pastors who have served over time. The first week featured Ruthie Oberg from Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, the Assemblies of God archives in Springfield, Missouri. Ruthie shared historical information of the larger church denomination, and challenged the church to pour into the next generations, “because 75 years from now we still want this church to be a big part of this community,” says one of the organizers, Care Pastor and Business Administrator Bonnie Klein.

Last Sunday featured Pastor Miles Finch who served the flock for 37 years from 1966 to 2003 with his wife, Karen. Miles gave a stirring and thoughtful sermon by video from his home to avoid risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Also featured last Sunday were longtime members Phyllis and Chuck Klein (Bonnie’s grandparents) with a video greeting, and Lenora Hodge, who was a child when her family joined Morrison and others in founding the church. Lenora recounted memories of the early days when the congregation gathered for social events at her family farm outside of Pablo. She spoke of friendships and connections with pastors and their families. She remembers her mother first being drawn in by hearing Pastor Morrison’s organ hymns while shopping in Polson. Soon the group started meeting in the Odd Fellows Hall, taking the steep fire escape stairs to the upper floor. A new building (now Big Sky Strength and Fitness south of the courthouse) was constructed by the members, and Lenora is seen as a young girl in a photo from that time. A detailed recount is featured in the upcoming book.

In another tribute to their history, each week features a progression of different eras of worship songs. The old-fashioned, low tech of well-worn hymnals served the first week; a piano was brought in just for the occasion. Ancient technology was employed last Sunday, as an overhead projector served up lyrics from the 80s and 90s, with music led by the church’s talented worship band.

It was Miles Finch’s vision that brought the new building into being. Completed in 1979, when the congregation numbered around 50, the large building that can seat 400 was “a huge step of faith,” says Pastor Bonnie. Many in the community were literally invested in its manifestation, as people pitched in with the labor and personal loans to build it. The facility now serves a congregation of 250-300.

“This building is a miracle,” Bonnie says. “It means a lot to a lot of people, and a lot has happened here.” Her parents, Kris and Debbie Klein, were the first to be married there, and Kris still manages the facility. “To think if those people wouldn’t have had the faith to just step out and do what God was asking them to do at that time, we wouldn’t have it. Who knows what impact we wouldn’t have had in the community, too. This facility is used for a lot of community things, which is a huge part of what we want it to be. That’s the goal of the church universal, to bless and reach into the community and just love people the way God loves us.”

“A lot of my life has been spent in every single room of this building, including the Sunday School rooms downstairs,” Bonnie relates. “For me, as somebody growing up in the church, going through and working on the book, getting all these pictures and putting up displays, bringing back those memories, it’s been really sweet. This church has totally shaped me. To pastor and serve in the church I grew up in is a bit surreal, but it’s really cool to be pouring back into my church family the way they poured into me.”

Upcoming services will feature Pastors Shawn Madsen and Jon Warneke who served 2003-2014 and had a large children’s and youth ministry, and Pastor Ed Vainio, who served as interim pastor 2014-2015 during the search that led to hiring the current Lead Pastor, Chriss Sopke, Sr. in 2015. The final Sunday, August 30, will feature District Superintendent for the Assemblies of God for Montana, Dave Phillips of Billings. An outdoor pig roast and picnic will follow this gathering.

During office hours, says Bonnie, anyone is welcome to come in and visit, and enjoy seeing the historical photos and the humble organ that started it all. “Something lasting 75 years in a community is a big deal,” she says.

Services are streamed live on Facebook and YouTube and are available at newlifepolson.com.