Mr. F. Gauthier, an ordained minister employed by the F.A. Buttrey Company as dry goods manager, agreed to minister to the group on Sundays. In a short time he was transferred leaving the church without a leader.

Mrs. Wigmore, wife of the late Ernest C. Wigmore, professor at Eugene Bible University, then living on a homestead south of Havre came to the rescue of the little band of Disciples. Because of lack of finances, they were often left to struggle along under their own leadership, meeting in homes and store buildings. However they continued to break bread each Lord's Day and to hold Bible School. Both sister Hatler and sister Wigmore taught Bible classes over long periods of time. Mr. A.M. Hensley and J. Ira Jones gave major assistance and leadership to the group.

Finally the time came when the group united with the Fort Benton Christian Church in extending a call to C. M. Ridenour. He started his part time ministry in May 1921, preaching in Havre.

Sunday mornings and at the Fort Benton church in the evening, maintaining his residence in Fort Benton. Later, he resigned from the Fort Benton Church and he and his family moved to Havre and commenced a fruitful ministry. The church progressed rapidly under Mr. Ridenhour's leadership who seized every opportunity to minister to outlying communities. The church became self-supporting and two lots were purchased on Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street and a building project was started. In January 1924, the congregation took the name Sixth Avenue Christian Church and on Easter Sunday, April 20 of the same year the building was dedicated. The building was built largely by donated labor for the approximate sum of $6,000. The membership was over 100. Mr. Ridenour moved to Washington State in August 1924. Records are incomplete for a number of years as a result of a flood in 1938. During these years, many times the church was without a minister, however, the congregation continued to be active. Much of the credit was due to the guidance of Mr. Oval S. Hatler who was the senior elder and for many years board chairman.

Ministers who were called during those early years include the following:

*Mr. F.C. Zimmerman for a few months.

*Mr. D.D. Dick was then called and remained for a year and a half.

Clayton Kent became the new minister in October of 1957. He also served the congregation in Turner and a group at North Star. He resigned July 26, 1959.

Dwaine Dunning was called to be the minister in December 13, 1959. He resigned in July 1962 for ministries in Nebraska.

In August 1962, Jack Rampelberg came to minister at Sixth Avenue Christian Church. During his ministry, the church celebrated its 50" Anniversary. In May 1968 Jack took a year of leave of absence and attended Lincoln Christian Seminary to receive his Master's Degree.

Herman Kooy came to Havre on May 14, 1968. During his ministry the Little Rockies Christian Camp property near Landusky was developed. It had been given to the Christian Churches of Montana in 1955 by Mrs. B.D. Phillips, but nothing had been done with it. The mortgage on the building was burned at the thanksgiving Service in 19679.

Mr. Kooy left in January 1970. Sam Taylor, the associate minister, filled in until the Rampelberg's returned in June. In the fall of 1970, the congregation held its first Faith Promise Missionary Rally.

The new parsonage was purchased in August 1974 at #2 Lila Drive. The Rampelbergs occupied the home for only a few months and then moved to Illinois.

Harold Hamon served the church until Mr. Kenneth Houschouer arrived in March of 1975. The 60" anniversary of the congregation was held November 13, 1977. Hoschouers were active in all phases of the church program with strong emphasis on Bible studies. The Hoschouers left Havre in the summer of 1979.

Steve Jackson was called to be the minister at Sixth Avenue on august 24, 1979. Steve's wife, Lynn (daughter of charter members Oval and Garnet Hatler), complimented his ministry with piano and organ playing and singing duets with Steve. He was a constant student of the Bible and will be remembered as a kind, sharing, prayerful minister and friend. The Jackson left Havre on July 29, 1984 and moved to Alaska.

Kermit Owen was called as minister in August 1984. During Kermit's ministry, the church celebrated its 70^th anniversary. Garnet Owen helped start a Puppet Ministry and junior church. It was during the Owen's ministry that Wednesday night supper and classes began. In June 1991, Jack Rampelberg returned for a third ministry, this time as interim-minister, until another minister could be found. In this "short-term" capacity, Brother Jack served until the fall of 1996 when Rowlie Hutton was called as Senior Minister and Jack stepped down to become Associate Minister. No one would have argued that Fifth Avenue Christian Church would not be what it is today without the stellar guidance of Jack Rampelberg. He will forever be remembered for his compassion and his determination to see projects to an end. He continually searched the Scriptures and was a true student of the Word. He desired that all might come to know the saving grace of Jesus. His entire life was dedicated to the Lord he loved and devoted his entire life to. He is missed by all those who were touched by his ministry and we gratefully thank our God for leading him back to Havre not once, nor twice, but for a third time.

In October 1993, the General Board formed a resolution to begin looking for property to relocate. In February 1994 the congregation accepted the Board's resolution. In May 1994, the church purchase 6.4 acres from John and Sandra Kinchy. A funding campaign call "Share In the Harvest" was initiated with $600,000 committed. A series of H.I.S. meetings were held to find the direction church members, which the building program would take.

Rowlie Hutton was called to be the new Senior Minister in March of 1997. From the beginning, Rowlie shared his vision of reaching the Hi-Line and wanting to impact 1 out of 5 people from Chester to Malta. This vision continues to be a major part of the program at Fifth Avenue Christian Church. Rowlie also has continued to play a major role in the Christian Church in Turner, Montana, by preaching on Sunday nights averaging 2 times a month.

In 1998, the leadership at Sixth Avenue decided to change the `look' of the Sunday morning assembly. Some of those changes were to make more of a flow in the service, and to change the music style from a more traditional feel to a blended feel.

Chad Leathermon was hired as associate minister on September l, 1998 to assist in some of those changes and to work with the younger families and college age.

On March 18, 2001, the first Sunday services were held in the new facility and dedication services took place on April 22 of the same year.

From 2001 to 2007 can best be summed up in the phrase "What A Ride!" God has and continues to move in mighty ways. Tom Jund was the first person to be immersed into Christ in the new building. Add to that 410 others who have been buried with Christ (as of December 2007), and the angels in heaven have been in `Party Mode'.

One of our Big Holy Audacious Goals at Fifth Avenue Christian Church is to impact one out of five people from Chester to Malta; Therefore, our building, which is just a tool, is made available for weddings, funerals, and numbers of community events.

Fifth Avenue also continues to bring in high octane speakers. The list includes: Allan Dunbar, Mark Scott, David Haines, Emersson Eggrich, Matt Proctor, Milton Jones, Terry Stine, Doug Aldridge Jim Putman and Rusty Russel.

In 2007 the leadership of the church decided that as we continue to grow larger, we need to find other ways to continue the discipleship process. So in the spring of 2007, Russell Vaughn was brought on staff to help with transitioning the congregation into small groups.

Russell later moved into the area of college and youth and helped complete the construction of Fifth Avenue's youth center, The Bridge.

Sunday Morning is central to all that happens at Fifth Avenue Christian. Worship services are held each Sunday at 9:00am and 10:45am with a coffee hour held between services. Inspiring up-beat music and practical down-to-earth sermons help provide strength for confronting the week ahead.

Wednesday Nights are a very busy time at the church. The evening starts with a fellowship supper and then classes are available for all ages from the very young to adults. Many volunteer helpers make this program possible.

Small Groups - In October 2007 Jim Putman and Brandon Guenon from Post Falls, Idaho held a training workshop for Small Group Ministries. In Small Groups an environment is fostered, where people feel part of the community of the group and are given the opportunity to grow and practice Biblical discipleship.

Areas of Service - Throughout the early history of these congregation ladies missionary groups were very active in many areas of service. Some of women's ministries now are: Blankie Blessings, helping with weekly meetings, funeral luncheons, cooking at camp, teaching Sunday School, Bible Studies, helping with Wednesday Nights meals, visiting the sick, providing treats for Vacation bible School and youth activities, visiting the Care Center, receptions, and participating in the Women's-Night-Out meetings.

It really does come down to our goal of seeing the whole church, all people of all ages, taking the whole gospel to the whole world, whether across the street or across the ocean. We look forward to what God will do with us in the future.

Fifth Avenue Christian Church is a place that is covered by God's Grace. It is to be a place where everyone can belong, and then become, and together we learn how to behave.

This congregation looks forward to the future with vision and faith. If the future is what our Father wills for the family in Havre, we must be strong and courageous and do the work for the Lord God is with us. None of us were present when the dreams for the Church in Havre were born, yet we are truly beneficiaries of those dreams.

Now it is our turn to continue to do the work God has set before us to reach out to the people of this community and around the world where so many people need to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Our roots go deep. The previous generation provided some strong shoulders for us to stand on and the phrase that best describes our 90 year history - ONLY GOD!

Every Generation Connected and Committed To Christ