History of Prairieview
Prairieview was originally founded back in August of 1890! They organized under the name Swedish Christian Church of Star Prairie, and then eventually would become Star Prairie Covenant Church, with approximately 27 members and 45 enrolled in Sunday school. A year later they made plans to build their first gathering space in Huntington (west of Star Prairie). This church had become known for a focus on kids and youth (Sunday school and confirmation classes, VBS programs, youth gatherings), as well as local missions (Young People’s Society, Ladies’ Aid). They also became famous for their 4th of July Chicken Dinners that were served to the public. Over time this church continued to meet and minister to their community, and in partnership with a network of other Covenant churches growing in the surrounding cities.
After a season of hardships during the 1990s, the church felt called to invest in a new facility and grow their reach to the surrounding regions. So in June of 2001 they organized a group to relocate the church to its present location on the corner of Highway 65 and 210th Avenue. By the generous gifts of donors and the hard work of many who came to build the facility by hand (which include the hands of some of our congregants today), the church was renamed and Prairieview Covenant Church was born. God provided exactly what was needed to make this project happen! Today, we continue the legacy that was started in 1890 of sharing the gospel, providing opportunities to grow in faith, and reaching out to serve others in the New Richmond area.
Prairieview is a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church; a growing multi-ethnic denomination of over 850 churches across the United States and Canada. Since 1885, the Evangelical Covenant has sought to form and nurture communities that are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and passionately engaged in Christ’s mission in the world.
What is the Covenant?
Prairieview Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, they have become a growing multi-ethnic denomination of over 850 churches across the United States and Canada. As Covenanters, we recognize our place in the global Christian Church to mean that:
(1) WE ARE AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Grounded in the authority of Scripture, we are committed to studying and living out its teaching. This leads us to faithfully continue the work Jesus entrusted to His disciples: spreading the Good News, making more disciples, and serving our communities for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
(2) WE ARE A REFORMATION CHURCH
We stand on the foundation of faith that was renewed during the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation. We are committed to the core principles of grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone; emphasizing a personal relationship with God and the centrality of His Word. Our heritage calls us to continually reform and renew, seeking to be faithful to the Gospel in every generation.
(3) WE ARE AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
We are passionately committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. We believe in the power of the Gospel to transform lives, and we are dedicated to proclaiming it with clarity, compassion, and conviction. Rooted in the authority of Scripture, we strive to live out our faith through acts of compassion, mercy, and justice which leads us to inviting others to experience the hope and joy found in Christ.
(4) WE ARE PART OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH
We understand that our local churches are connected with the greater body of Christ that transcends cultures, nations, and languages. We are united with believers across the globe and the many who have gone before us, sharing a common faith in Jesus and a commitment to His mission until Christ comes again.
What Do We Believe?
In the Evangelical Covenant Church, our essential beliefs are summed up in what we call "The Covenant Affirmations". These six statements are what guide us in our life and ministry together. This means that we affirm the following:
(1) THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD
The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the centrality of the Word of God, meaning we believe that the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. We acknowledge Scripture as the revelation of God's truth to humanity, guiding us in our daily walk with Christ. As a community, we are committed to studying, preaching, and living out the Word; allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. This sincere study and reliance on the Bible is what has led us to affirm both men and women as leaders and ordained ministers at every level of leadership. It is what led us to affirm an orthodox view of human sexuality and marriage. And it is the inspiration for our every act of compassion, mercy, and justice among all people.
(2) THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH
The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the necessity of the new birth, emphasizing that a personal transformation through faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, TNIV). This new birth marks the beginning of a life renewed by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in fellowship with God. But the new birth is only the beginning. Growing to maturity in Christ is a lifelong process for both individuals and communities of believers. God forms and transforms us—and it is through people transformed by Christ that God transforms the world.
(3) A COMMITMENT TO THE WHOLE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to the whole mission of the church, encompassing evangelism, discipleship, and service in our communities and beyond. Early Covenanters were known as “Mission Friends”— people of shared faith who came together to carry out God’s mission both far and near. We believe that our calling is to share the love of Christ in both word and deed, making a difference in the world by addressing spiritual and physical needs. This holistic approach to ministry reflects our dedication to living out the gospel fully, with a heart for justice, compassion, and transformation.
(4) THE CHURCH AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS
The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the importance of being a fellowship of believers, where we find support, encouragement, and accountability in our journey of faith. The church is not an institution, organization, or building. It is a grace-filled fellowship of believers who participate in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. We are called to live in community, sharing life together and building one another up in love. In this fellowship, we grow deeper in our relationship with Christ and with each other, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. In addition, we believe in the priesthood of all believers—that is, we all share in the ministry of the church to fulfill Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19). Membership in the Covenant Church is by confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ and is open to all believers. We observe baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments commanded by Jesus.
(5) A CONSCIOUS DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Evangelical Covenant Church emphasizes a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that it is through the Spirit's power that we are guided, empowered, and transformed. We believe in the Trinitarian understanding of one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we experience the new birth, Jesus tells us that we are given the Holy Spirit who works in us to reveal God's truth, convict us of sin, form us into the image of Christ, and equip us for ministry (John 14:15-31). Our reliance on the Spirit ensures that our actions and decisions align with God's will, leading us to live out our faith with boldness and compassion.
(6) THE REALITY OF FREEDOM IN CHRIST
The Evangelical Covenant Church celebrates the freedom we have in Christ, recognizing that through Him, we are liberated from the power of sin and death. This freedom allows us to live fully in God’s grace, embracing our identity as His beloved children and experiencing unity with the body of Christ. Because of this unity, we honor the freedom to disagree on non-essential matters where the biblical and historical record seems to allow for a variety of interpretations of the will and purposes of God, valuing unity in diversity as we seek to live out our faith together (Rom 14-15). Still bound by the other six affirmations, this freedom is what leads us to embracing the tension of differing views regarding infant baptism, the timing of the second coming of Christ, the nature of the atonement, and other various matters of life and practice. While we will seek to understand what Scripture says about these matters, we in the Covenant Church will focus on what unites us as followers of Christ, rather than on what divides us.
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a pilgrim church. Until Christ comes, we worship, serve, and witness so that the whole earth may hear God’s voice, learn of God’s love, and experience God’s joy. If you want to learn more about the Evangelical Covenant Church or explore the affirmations more deeply, visit the Evangelical Covenant Church website below for more information.