Highlights of Covenant's History
A Covenant is Formed
The Northwest Side Church Group, Covenant's founders, wanted a family-oriented community church, one that placed "the family unit at the very core of the church's life and program." (Patton, 1994)
Our first pastoral advisor, Paul Axt, encouraged the founders' suggestion of "Covenant" for the name of our church. Paul had attended McCormick Theological Seminary and learned from research that this is a word of substantial content.
In February of 1957, Gordon Logan, Chairperson of the first building fund campaign, defined a covenant as "God's promise of blessing, to be filled upon the performance of a condition." He added, the "old farmhouse on the old East Hill site then (would become) in truth, the church with a covenant."
A House Built by God and God's Faithful Sojourners
- Covenant Presbyterian Church was organized by the Presbytery of Madison on Sept. 12, 1954. As our congregation grew, the Board of National Missions provided special financial assistance with which to build our own church facilities.
- From 1955 to 1957, Covenant's founders and faithful sojourners met for worship and fellowship activities in the Unitarian Society Meeting House. As early as 1955, they knew they would quickly outgrow that space.
- On Dec. 8, 1955, the congregation authorized the purchase of Out lot C of the East Hill Farm Properties on the corner of Segoe and Mineral Point roads.
- Our first fund drive, in 1957, ran for one day with a victory service in the evening. Covenant's founders and early members celebrated $45,704.24 in pledges from 86 families. Three days later, the pledges exceeded their $50,000 goal by $998.
- On Dec. 15, 1957, the new fellowship hall was dedicated and named in honor of Dr. Irwin E. Bradfield, Synod Executive of the Wisconsin Synod, who had been instrumental in guiding the efforts of the founders.
- On April 16, 1961, children of building committee members were among those who broke ground for the new Christian Education wing. At this time, the original farm house, which had served as a manse and also provided Sunday school rooms, was torn down. One of the attic beams from that farm house serves as the fireplace mantel in the current church lounge.
- Following much discernment about how to fulfill our mission as a family-oriented community church and as a benevolent church, the congregation approved plans leading to completion of the third wing of our proposed facility, the sanctuary. It was completed in 1968.
- 1989: We celebrated our 35th anniversary and dedicated our newly remodeled facilities, which included an organ with new and refurbished pipes. The choir performed, "The New Covenant," a musical piece written by David Stanley York for the church's 10th Anniversary.
- 1997: We dedicated our new Schoenstein organ designed "to accompany," "to lead," "to follow," and "to embrace."
- 2006: We celebrated our Renewal Project that makes the church accessible, and renews our commitment to serve a community in fellowship and faith.
Outreach
- Throughout the years, our mission efforts have included outreach efforts locally, nationally, and internationally.
- 1960s: Support for missionaries in Egypt and Cuban refugees in Florida. Church members were active in the local and national issue of fair housing.
- 1980s: Members began participation in the annual CROP Bike/Hike, a program focusing on the concern of hunger in the world. In 2006, members still participate in this event assuring continued financial support through Church World Service.
- 1984: Members aided victims of the Barneveld tornado.
- 2005/2006: Members aided victims of hurricane Katrina.
The Mission
- 1954: Sunday School attendance averaged 11 students.
- 1954: First adult choir was formed with 4 members.
- 1956: 39 women belonged to either Mary Martha Circle or Miriam Circle. Their primary emphases were the Board of National Missions, Foreign Missions, and Christian Education.
- 1956: Sunday School attendance averaged 100 students.
- 1956: First Youth Choir formed.
- 1958: Adult Education classes began and have grown to include hundreds of adults in classes offered throughout the week.