Church History

A Brief History of Michiana Covenant Church MCC was started by a group of families that were concerned with the lack of Biblical teaching and policies of the local reformed church. At first the group met Sunday evenings at various homes. With the increase in numbers, it was decided the group needed a more formal organization and a larger place to meet. The group was named Reformed Fellowship to reflect their heritage. The next step was to decide which denomination to be affiliated with. Three were selected: PCA, OPC, and CRC. Each denomination sent a representative to talk about the process of becoming a particular church and to answer any questions. Before the vote to decide which denomination to affiliate with, it was agreed that a 75% majority was needed to affirm. The PCA was chosen.

On Sept. 12, 1993, we started meeting Sunday mornings and evenings at Ironwood Cr. By Jan. 1994, we had out grown the building at Ironwood Cr. and moved to the Montessori Academy on Day Rd. Wednesday evening prayer meetings were also held at the Montessori building.

Another important event in the life of MCC happened in Oct. 1993. We voted to change the name from Reformed Fellowship to Michiana Covenant Church (PCA).

Representatives of MCC were sent to the Great Lakes Presbytery meeting held Jan. 1994. We were officially approved as a mission work of the PCA. Now the search began for a church planter. From several candidates, Rev. John ‘Skip’ Gillikin was chosen. The call was approved at the May 1994 meeting of Great Lakes Presbytery. The Gillikins moved here in July 1994. Skip started Elder training classes with the men of the church. Four men were certified and elected to serve as Elders.

By Jan. 1995, a larger facility was needed. Faith Bible church building came available on a month to month basis. The Faith Bible church property was up for sale. The property was sold and that meant moving again. In Sept. 1995 we moved to The Children’s Carousel Center. In that same year 10 acres were purchased with the anticipation of building a church on that site. Dedication Service was held Dec. 1995.

In the Jan. 1996 meeting of Great Lake Presbytery we petitioned to become a particular church and to extend a call to Rev. John ‘Skip” Gillikin as Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church. An Organization Service and Installation Service were held end of Jan. 1996. In the spring of 1996, a group of 20 members planted trees along the Toll Road fence. Back Yard Bible clubs were held during the summers and a Women in the Church council (WIC) was established. The Session developed a set of BY-Laws for the church.

In Oct.1997, Rev. Gillikin resigned as Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church. He later accepted a call to a PCA church in Ashville, NC. A Search Committee was formed to interview candidates. After many months work, the Search Committee recommended we extend a call to Rev. Mark Levine. Rev. Levine was a recent graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. The congregation voted to extend a call pending Rev. Mark Levine’s successful examination before Great Lakes Presbytery in Jan. 1999. After a successful examination, Rev. Levine was installed as Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church. During Rev. Levine’s time with us, Elder training occurred, women’s Bible study met, back yard VBS, WIC, Wednesday night prayer service and the loan on the property was refinanced.

We also had to move again. This time to the Seventh Day Adventist church located off Ironwood and Altgelt. In July 2001 we moved into the Faith Lutheran building located on the west side of South Bend was our next meeting place. The sanctuary seated about 180. A large room next to the sanctuary divided into six class rooms and the large kitchen was great. But this property was for sale. At this time we could not afford to purchase this property. We continued to look for other meeting places.

In Sept. 2001, Rev. Levine resigned as Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church. Rev. Peter Wallace started supplying our pulpit. Peter was working on his doctorate at Notre Dame. Suzuki Music School was our next meeting place. We moved there in Jan. 2002. Rev. Wallace was approved as Stated supply with full pastoral responsibilities at the May 2003 meeting of Great Lake Presbytery. Two Elders were certified and elected. Rev. Peter received his doctorate during this time. Also during this time the loan on the church property was paid off. Rev. Dr. Wallace was looking for a teaching position at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. The Lord closed that door and opened the door to becoming the Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church. But both presbyteries (OPC and PCA), would have to approve the call. Rev. Dr. Peter Wallace was installed as Pastor of Michiana Covenant Church in July 2004. We continued to grow under his preaching and leadership.

A gift of $400, 000 was received for construction of a church building. A Building committee was formed. After many meetings a design was agreed upon. A Ground Breaking service was held on July 13, 2004. After many meeting places, we finally had a building of our own. We moved into our new church building in Dec. 2004.

Deacons were certified and elected in July, 2005. The building maintenance and the preparation of the annual church budget were handed over to the Deacons. Michiana Covenant Church members are getting more involved in the community with the leading of the Deacons. We are starting to see more visitors who are looking for a church home and reformed preaching.

In Jan. 2006 four or five families would be leaving the South Bend area due to job relocations. But by summer the Lord brought a dozen new families to the area. Two orientation classes were held for those interested in joining MCC. Shepherding groups were started and with an increase in young people, a youth group was organized and started meeting.

At the Great Lakes Presbytery held March 2006, we were approved to be the mother church for the mission work in La Porte (Faith Community Church). Session role was: to provide pulpit supply (Dr.. Wallace would preach and administer the Lord’s Supper every other month), regular meetings with the transition team, Elder visits, and provide pastoral care. The Session’s first priority was to search and to call a full time Pastor. In the fall of 2007, a call was extended to Rev. Frank Hamilton to serve as interim associate pastor with particular responsibilities for La Porte.

Also in 2007, the session approved the paying off of the mortgage on the building. Since we are getting close to 80% seating capacity in the sanctuary, session approved the forming of a building expansion committee. Two part time secretaries were hired to help Dr. Wallace with the office and web page tasks. A part time custodian was hired to clean the church building. Our first intern, Joel Wood showed up and served a brief eight week stint. Michiana Covenant Co-op opened its doors in the fall of 2007.

Michiana Covenant Church continued to grow from Dr. Peter Wallace’s preaching in 2008. We also grew in members. Shepherding groups continued to meet weekly. Village night replaced the shepherding group meetings during the summer months. A student, Peter Linstrom from Mid-America Reformed Seminary served as our intern for the summer months. Michiana Covenant Co-op changed its name to Michiana Covenant Academy. MCA is drawing students from within and outside MCC. Deacons were trained, certified, and elected. The need for more Elders continues. Regional worship services were held each quarter of the year with our sister churches in the area Oversight of the Faith Community Church continued.

We are thankful to the Lord for providing a building for our daughter church in La Porte. Now they can put down roots and minister to the community around. We are thankful for Rev. Hamilton’s preaching and leadership. Faith Community Church is a step closer to becoming a particular church.