Abbreviated Chronological History
Gathered and compiled by Jim Bell, parishioner
updated: March 24, 2006
Early 1960
 Father George E. Ferguson was appointed chaplain
of the Newman Club at Montana State University in Missoula by Bishop Joseph
M. Gilmore. Sunday Masses were held at the MSU Music Recital Hall, including
a Mass as late as 9 p.m.
Friday, March 3, 1961
A residence at 1325 Gerald
Avenue, Missoula, was purchased by the Diocese of Helena from Montana State
University. The Newman Club was to provide living quarters for twenty-five
male students. Father Ferguson resided at St. Anthony’s Parish
until he took us residence at the Newman House about 1965.
Sunday, April 16, 1961
Bishop Joseph M. Gilmore blessed the
Newman House.
Fall 1964
Land was purchased at 1400 Gerald
Avenue for the purpose of building of a multi-purpose facility.
Wednesday, September 1, 1965
Bishop
Raymond G. Hunthausen approved construction of the chapel at the Newman
Center as a Semi-Public Oratory under the title of Christ the King. This
meant that the chapel was restricted to people attached to the university
community. Other Catholics could attend and fulfill their Sunday
obligation but could not claim membership in the Newman Oratory.
January 1966
Facility
at 1400 Gerald Avenue was completed.
PROPERTY: 1400 Gerald Avenue, Missoula. Original mansion on
the property was built by Daniel J. Donohue, local department store owner. The
church purchased the property from Arthur Harr. The mansion
was moved 205 East Evans Avenue, Missoula.
ARCHITECTS: Fox, Ballas and Barrow, Missoula
CONTRACTORS: General: Pew Construction Company, Missoula. Mechanical:
Missoula Water and Gas Shop. Electrical: Walford Electric Company. Actual
cost of construction was $218,000. Furnishings brought the total to $280,000.
DESCRIPTION: Original design: Main floor is 11,028 square feet;
seating for 516; lower floor is 3,410 square feet with seating for 300—350.
1966 - 1971 (Founder, Chaplain, and First Pastor) Father George
E. Ferguson
Father Ferguson was born in Butte, Montana, in 1930.
Ordained in 1956, Father Ferguson also served parishes Anaconda, Butte,
Missoula, Bigfork, and Thompson Falls. While serving at Christ the King,
he was also on the religious studies faculty at the University. Father
Ferguson served the Diocese’s Guatemalan mission from 1975-1977. He
moved to Mexico in 1980 after retiring due to health reasons. On
Thursday, June 12, 1986, Father Ferguson disappeared from his home in Mexico
without a trace. He has never been located.
1966
First parish constitution written by parishioner Robert E.
Sullivan.
Ascension Thursday, May 19, 1966
Facility
at 1400 Gerald Avenue was dedicated by Bishop Hunthausen. The Newman
House at 1325 Gerald Avenue continued to be used until it was sold back
to Montana State University and used as the president’s residence.
September 1966
Sister Mary Gregoria, BVM (Sisters
of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), was appointed as moderator of the
Newman Center at the University of Montana. She was succeeded by
Sister Sheila Ann, BVM.
1967 - October 1969 Father
Samuel C. Beausoleil
Father Beausoleil was
born in 1923 in Anaconda. He attended Anaconda Catholic Schools and
graduated from Carroll College. He was ordained in 1951. Father
Beausoleil served parishes in Conrad, Missoula, Townsend, Bozeman, and
Deer Lodge. He was a founding member of the pastoral team at Christ
the King. While serving at Christ the King, he was also on the religious
studies faculty at the University. He taught at Carroll College for
14, founding and directing the choral group, the Carrolleers. He
retired in 1993. He died in Missoula on November 15, 1994.
Sunday, December 11, 1968
First
meeting of Parish Council. Officers were: Frank Pettinato, Don Mullin,
Mrs. John Wailes, and William Palmer.
1970 – 1972 Father
Edward E. Courtney
Father Courtney was born
in Butte in 1930. He graduated from Boys’ Central High School, Carroll
College, and St. Edward Seminary in Seattle. Father Courtney has
served parishes in Helena, Missoula, Bozeman, and Butte. He celebrated
his 50th year of ordination in 2005. As of 2006, Father Courtney is pastor
of St. John the Evangelist Church, Butte, where he has been pastor since
1983.
1972- July 1, 1981
(Second
Pastor) Frank Matule Prior to his assignment at Christ the King,
Frank Matule served as assistant pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish,
Missoula, from 1967 to 1971. In May 2004 he retired from the University
of Montana where he was director of Enrollment Services for many years.
1972
Marie S. Kuffel was named pastoral associate.
1973-1975 Dan Smith
Dan Smith was on the faculty
at Carroll College from 1968 to 1971 before performing pastoral ministry
in Bozeman from 1971 to 1973.
1973
Parish
constitution re-written to open parish membership to non-university members. Robert
Sullivan was the chairman of the first parish council.
Wednesday, March 27, 1974
A residence for priests
was purchased at 328 East Central Avenue.
July 1, 1974
The
Newman House was sold back to the University of Montana for $115,000.
1975-1977 William
P. Lowney
Bill Lowney was
on the faculty at Anaconda Central High School from 1968 to 1973. He
served as co-pastor at St. Paul Parish, Anaconda, from 1973 to 1975.
September 1980 - May 10, 1981 Paul
Heath
In addition to his service at Christ the King, Paul Heath
served at St. Ann’s, Butte, from 1974 to 1977. In 1977 and
1978 he served at St. Richard’s in Columbia Falls. He was associate
pastor at St. Joseph’s Parish, Libby, from 1978 to 1980.
June 1981
Christ the King Parish experienced 100%
turnover in the pastoral and administrative staffs at the request of Bishop
Eldon Curtiss.
July 2, 1981 - 1984 (Third Pastor) George Burns
George Burns served
the diocese in Butte, Missoula, Anaconda, Helena, and Dillon. He
served as Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program and Pastoral Planning
in 1978 and as Director of Office of Ministries in 1979 before becoming
pastor at Christ the King.
About 1981
Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) program established to
replace the Newman Club.
October 1981
Service
Group started. This group was opened to all who desired to provide
service to the parish. Activities included pancake breakfasts, rummage
sales, funeral luncheons, and coffee hours.
1982 Father
Leo Proxell
Father Proxell was born in Butte and ordained in 1977. He
has served the diocese in Conrad, Thompson Falls, Missoula, Drummond, Carroll
College, and Bozeman. He received an undergraduate degree in music
from the University of Montana - Missoula and an advanced degree in liturgical
music at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. As
of 2006, Father Proxell is the pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Bozeman, and
vicar of the Helena vicariate.
1982
Ministers
of the Word, Ministers of the Table, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion began.
July 18, 1984 – May 6, 2006 (Fourth Pastor)
Father James J. Hogan
Father Jim Hogan was
born in Anaconda, Montana, on May 6, 1935. He attended Anaconda Central
High School, Carroll College, and St. Thomas Seminary, Seattle. He
was ordained on May 27, 1961 in Helena. He has earned advanced degrees
from The University of Montana – Missoula and Loyal University Chicago.
His pastoral work for the diocese has been in Butte, Helena, Missoula,
and Browning. He was the founding pastor of Holy Family Parish, Missoula,
and Spirit of Christ Mission, Lolo. After 22 years as pastor of Christ
the King, he has announced that he will retire and assume senior status
on May 6, 2006.
June 1986 – August 1988
Peter
Eichten was Lay Pastoral Associate. His duties included the RCIA (Rite
of Christian Initiation for Adults) Program, Catholic Campus Ministry,
and Adult Education. Peter was born and raised in Minnesota. After
experience with the Peace Corps in Iran, he co-managed his father’s
business and later received a master’s degree in theology from St.
John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. In 1989 he was
hired as lay parish administrator at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
1988 - 1989
Steve Jones
served as Pastoral Associate. In addition to Christ the King, he
also served the diocese in Helena, Shelby, and Sunburst.
1989 - 1991
Sister
Alice Ann Byrne, OP, served as Pastoral Associate.
Monday, November 6, 1989
Pastoral
Council Constitution revised and adopted.
About 1990
Sacristan
Ministry began.
Sunday, May 19, 1991
Silver Anniversary re-dedication
of Christ the King.
July 1991 – July 2000
Sister Nancy
Davis, CSJ, served as Pastoral Associate. Sister Nancy is a member
of the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. A native of St.
Paul, Minnesota, Sister Nancy graduated from the College of St. Catherine
in St. Paul and earned a master’s degree in religious education from
Loyola University Chicago in 1968. After teaching high school in many locations,
Sister was novice director in Denver before she came to Christ the King. Since
she retired, Sister has relocated to St. Paul.
Wednesday, August 7, 1991
A
bungalow style house was purchased at 517 University Avenue for a priest’s
residence.
1991 FEED YOUR FAITH was established:
A spirituality group
for women that meets once a week during the school year and one week out
of the summer months. Various topics are presented via video. Discussion
and prayer follow.
Friday, October 4, 1991
Priest’s residence at 328 East Central
Avenue was sold.
1992
MARRIAGE PREPARATION was established. Sponsor couples
meet with those who are planning to be married. In 1995 this was expanded
to doing all of the marriage preparation for couples.
1995
Catholic
Campus Minister (CCM) Internships first offered.
Summer 1996
First
major renovation of the church building began and continued for three successive
summers.
1998
Parish
staff was expanded to include: administrative assistant, secretary, bookkeeper,
CCM supervisor, coordinator of youth ministry, parish nurse, and two pastoral
associates.
August 1998
First
renovation of the church building was completed. Renovation included
a new roof, carpet, sound and light systems, plus reconfiguration of altar,
ambo, and choir area. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel was relocated. Lifts
and restrooms were upgraded. The office area was extended and the
kitchen was renovated; a canopy was added to the main entrance. The
total project budget was $700,000. Seating was arranged for 700.
1998
Ministers
of the Prayers and Gifts began.
1998
Parish
Nurse Ministry started after three registered nurses from the faith community
completed advanced training in parish nursing. This ministry provides
a wide variety of holistic nursing care for parishioners as well as nation-wide
and world-wide.
July 2000 - present
Sister
Doris Faber, OP, joined the parish as Pastoral Associate. Sister
Doris was born on a farm in central Michigan, the last of 12 children. She
entered the Dominican Order in 1955. She has a bachelor’s degree
from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and advanced degrees from
Aquinas Theology Institute, Grand Rapids, and from Creighton University,
Omaha, Nebraska. Sister has been a high school teacher, religious
education and youth minister, and a pastoral and campus minister. Her
assignments have been in Michigan New Mexico, Alaska, South Carolina, Idaho,
West Virginia, and Montana.
2000 MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT:
A day for married couples was established
to enhance their lives together. A guest speaker leads this day of reflection
and renewal. A seven-week Marriage Enrichment Course began in 2003.
2000
A nursery service was established for the Sunday morning
Masses
Spring 2001
Initial plans were announced for the Newman Center construction
project and second renovation project totaling $1.25 million.
2001
MOMS Group was established. Mothers meet weekly
for prayer, spirituality, and various topics that relate to their lives
as wives and mothers.
2001
Salt and Pepper Group was established. The group
holds a monthly potluck on a Friday for retired members of the parish.
A short topic or program follows the meal.
Thursday, August 1, 2002 – present
Richard
Bishop began as Pastoral Associate of Liturgical/Music Ministries, a newly
created position.
Spring 2003
Newman Center Project restarted after being put on hold due
to the aftermath of the 9/11/2001 events.
Saturday, January 31, 2004
Revised
Bylaws for Pastoral Council were adopted.
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Groundbreaking for
the Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen Newman Center.
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Dedication
of the Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen Newman Center and Father Jim Hogan
Atrium. The dedication was attended by Archbishop Hunthausen and
included a dinner, auction, and live music.
Sunday, May 7, 2006
Father
Jim Hogan assumes senior status.
Saturday, July 1, 2007
Fr. Jeff Fleming joins the parish as Pastor.
Back to Top
|
